Plans put castle on course to be luxury resort

Plans that could see a Perthshire castle transformed into a luxury hotel have taken a step forward. Taymouth Castle was bought by Discovery Land Company, an American business owned by entrepreneur Mike Meldman, in 2018.

Speculation had linked Meldman’s friend and business partner George Clooney to the Perthshire pile, but The Courier revealed last month the Hollywood star will not be investing.

Now, a number of planning applications have been submitted to Perth and Kinross Council for the castle.

The applications are for internal alterations to the Breadalbane Suite and Victoria Rooms on the first floor, plus similar changes on the second and third floors of the main tower.

Planning consent is also being sought for the siting of a reception building and formation of an access path for a temporary period to the north of the principal lodge.

The building, which will be at the castle’s east gate, will be used by security staff while the renovation work is completed.

A statement for the Victoria Rooms, on the first floor of the west wing of the castle, sets out reasons for the application.

It explains that the changes are necessary to “accommodate the applicant’s requirements of an additional luxury suite” for a proposed hotel.

The Victoria Rooms are of “exceptional architectural quality and historic significance”, the report adds.

Parts of the west wing were designed by William Adam in around 1733 and substantially remodelled in 1838-42 by James Gillespie Graham in preparation for the visit by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

The plans for the Breadalbane Suite are for alterations to the interior of the suite, located on the second floor.

Proposals to repair “significant decay” to the dairy building have also been submitted.

A structural inspection report into the building says while the majority of the building is in “satisfactory” condition, much of the roof requires urgent attention.

It will affect the structural integrity of the building if left alone, the report adds.

Previously, a spokeswoman for Discovery Land Company confirmed plans for Taymouth would be similar to the remainder of its portfolio.

The business has 27 private high-end golf communities across North America, the Caribbean and one in Portugal.

It counts a list of celebrities, including actress Reese Witherspoon and basketball legend Michael Jordan, as members.

VISION: Taymouth Castle’s owner, the Discovery Land Company, operates a number of high-end golf communities.