Taymouth Castle – 2011 Round Up
Taymouth Castle – 2011 Round Up 2011 Highlights FEBRUARY – Public Exhibition in Kenmore
JULY – Work commences on the Chinese Bridge
APRIL – Planning application submitted
AUGUST – Launch of the marketing of the residences
JUNE – Proposals receive planning permission
NOVEMBER – Show home completed
Introduction Since Taymouth Castle Estate was acquired by Meteor 7YVWLY[` -\UK SHZ[ 5V]LTILY ^L OH]L THKL ZPNUPĂ„JHU[ investment in the overall project, and pressed ahead with the painstaking restoration of the Castle and key parts of the historic Estate (under the pre-existing planning consent). This work was undertaken while also securing new planning consent to amend the previous approval in order to provide for a number of luxury spas which are more in keeping with current market; improvements to the approved Castle works, provision for a number of additional residences, and the relocation of the approved equestrian centre. Much has been achieved in the past 12 months, both in terms of restoration and construction activity, as well as raising the WYVĂ„SL VM ;H`TV\[O *HZ[SL ^L HYL KLSPNO[LK ^P[O [OL WYVNYLZZ that has been made. In terms of our overall programme the development is now slightly ahead of schedule and there is an increasing acknowledgement that after many years of previous schemes failing to be implemented, our project is now well underway.
TAYMOUTH CASTLE IN THE SNOW
BANNER HALL AT TAYMOUTH CASTLE
Castle Transformation The Castle has undergone a complete transformation with the Principal Rooms having been carefully restored by a range of expert craftsmen, many of whom are locally based. The eight Principal Rooms are among the most historically important parts of the Castle. Elaborately decorated in Victorian gothic style, with rich carvings, gilded ceilings, ornate panelling and KLSPJH[L WSHZ[LY ^VYR [OL ÄYZ[ ÅVVY YVVTZ PUJS\KL [OL *OPUH Gallery and Chinese Room, Library, Banner Hall and Baron’s Hall. Working in close consultation with Perth & Kinross Council and Historic Scotland, these rooms have now been restored to their former glory and indeed have now been used [V OVZ[ L]LU[Z ;OL THNUPÄJLU[ [V^LY ^OPJO ZP[Z H[ [OL OLHY[ VM the main castle building has also been restored and provides HU PTWYLZZP]L HJJLZZ MYVT [OL NYV\UK ÅVVY YLJLW[PVU HYLH [V [OL 7YPUJPWHS 9VVTZ VU [OL \WWLY ÅVVYZ ^OPJO HYL [V IL utilised as dining/ restaurant areas, reception rooms, bar and ancilliary accommodation for the proposed hotel. ;OL THPU NYV\UK ÅVVY YLJLW[PVU HYLH MVY [OL OV[LS OHZ HSZV been completed and furnished, the unsightly tarmacadam approach to the main castle entrance has been repaved and landscaped, and the ornate cast iron staircase to the side of the Castle restored.
Taymouth Castle – 2011 Round Up
CHINESE ROOM
Top-of-the-range Golf Facilities
Show Home Completed
Meanwhile, The new ‘Spikes Bar’ has been created in the west wing of the Castle with a subtle, high quality feel to provide luxurious seating and a welcoming atmosphere complemented by its own new top-of-the-range kitchen facility. The new male and female changing facilities are also JVTWSL[L ^OPJO PUJS\KL ZOV^LY HYLHZ ^P[O THYISL ÅVVYZ HUK walls, in addition to bespoke locker facilities.
(Z THU` VM `V\ ^PSS OH]L ZLLU [OL ÄYZ[ :OV^ /VTL PZ UV^ complete, with the second unit well advanced. These are of high quality in keeping with our aspirations for the Estate as a whole, and considerable interest has already been generated from purchasers both from the UK and overseas as will be explained later in the newsletter.
Externally, the work to extend the James Braid designed golf course and bring it up to championship standard, including all the new greens and tee complexes, has been completed with the exception of the 12th hole, which sits immediately adjacent [V [OL UL^ :OV^ /VTL ;OPZ ÄUHS ^VYR ^PSS IL JVTWSL[LK LHYS` in the New Year once weather conditions are suitable. We have made good progress on the implementation of the Estate’s 36 year Landscape Management Plan. As those within the local community will be well aware the landscape management on the Estate had been neglected for many `LHYZ I` WYL]PV\Z V^ULYZ ;OPZ PZ [OLYLMVYL H ZPNUPÄJHU[ [HZR Many of the dead, fallen and unwanted self seeding trees have been removed in accordance with an approved programme, and will be replaced with varieties that were part of the original Victorian planting. We have also been making great headway on the enhancement and reinstatement of the Estate’s footpath network which provides a great opportunity for safer access to a number of parts of the Estate to enjoy many of its views that have been lost for years.
Inevitably some of the work we have been carrying out around the Estate has meant that access to various areas has had to be restricted, primarily for health and safety reasons. This will continue for a while, however long term public access to and [OYV\NO [OL LZ[H[L ^PSS IL ZPNUPÄJHU[S` LUOHUJLK ¶ ZV WSLHZL bear with us. Since mid November construction activity has slowed due to both the seasonal weather conditions, and the fact that we have a pre-construction ‘lead in period’ to complete the detailed designs for the new phase of residences and internal layouts for the proposed hotel rooms. This task needs to be undertaken in conjunction with hotel operators once they are contracted. We hope you agree that this has been a busy but very successful year and that the work already completed will secure the Castle’s future for generations to come. As you will note, the project and its design have recently received a number of major national and international awards which also bodes well for the future. We wish you a merry Christmas and look forward to further progress in the New Year.
Taymouth Castle – 2011 Round Up
Award Winning Design
Lift for Junior Cricket Team
The restoration of Taymouth Castle has won the prestigious Best International Commercial Renovation/Redevelopment award at the International Property Awards. The honour follows Taymouth Castle’s recent win at the UK Property Awards in London – when it was named the overall ‘ Best UK Redevelopment Project’. At the same ceremony, ;H`TV\[O *HZ[SL ^HZ H^HYKLK Ä]L Z[HYZ ^PUUPUN [OL» )LZ[ Renovation/ Redevelopment project in the UK’ for 2011. The restoration of the Principal Rooms was also awarded the Dundee Institute of Architects (DIA) Regeneration and Conservation Award
BREADALBANE CRICKET CLUB JUNIOR TEAM
Taymouth Castle Estate helped to boost the fortunes of Breadalbane Cricket Club’s junior team last season by HNYLLPUN [V ILJVTL [OL VMÄJPHS TH[JO ZOPY[ ZWVUZVYZ There is a historic tie between the castle and Breadalbane Cricket Club, which we are delighted to continue to help the club’s young players to develop their skills.
PORSCHE CLUB GB MAKES PIT STOP AT TAYMOUTH CASTLE
Taymouth Castle Estate also provided support to the Kenmore Highland Games, which unfortunately was cancelled due to poor weather, the Highland Perthshire Marathon and the Aberfeldy Middle Distance Triathlon.
Residences ;OL ÄYZ[ YLZPKLUJLZ OH]L ILLU YLSLHZLK [V the market and the response has been extremely positive with reservations already secured on two of the properties. Designed by McKenzie Strickland Associates, there are eight individual styles of residences all incorporating pitched roofs and other distinctive design features, including stone chimneys HUK L_[LYPVY ÄYLWSHJLZ [PTILY WHULSSPUN HUK YLUKLYPUN A number of the units will incorporate stone gateway features and there will be bridge walkways leading from the road to the riverside units. >P[O [OL JVTWSL[PVU VM [OL ÄYZ[ :OV^ /VTL HUK ^VYR progressing apace on the second it is anticipated that more reservations will be secured in the New Year. The website has been completely updated to include details about the Residences as well as more information about the Estate and its stunning surroundings – please visit www.taymouth-castle.com.
Media Coverage Sky Sports - Scotland’s number one home based golfer Stephen Gallacher illustrated play on one of the newly completed holes at Taymouth. Recent national press coverage about Taymouth Castle includes: Financial Times – House & Home The Times – Bricks & Mortar GQ Tatler House & Garden Vogue
Taymouth Castle – 2011 Round Up
What’s in store for 2012? Detailed discussions are at an advanced stage with a number of potential Five Star operators for the hotel, who ^PSS ^HU[ [V OH]L HU PUW\[ PU[V [OL ÄUHS KLZPNU HUK SH`V\[ of the bedrooms and suites so that the space can be JVUÄN\YLK [V Z\P[ [OLPY PUKP]PK\HS I\ZPULZZ TVKLSZ 0[ PZ HU[PJPWH[LK [OH[ [OLZL KPZJ\ZZPVUZ ^PSS IL ÄUHSPZLK LHYS` PU the New Year so we can progress work on the hotel rooms within the Castle - which are currently completed to shell as well as creating the rooms in the Castle East wing.
Estate Management The Estate management programme is ongoing. Work to the Chinese Bridge is continuing and should be completed by Spring 2012. The golf course green keeping team have been provided with new plant and equipment better suited to the improved quality of course that is being created, and will spend the coming months tending the surface to create a new high playing standard which should be achieved by Spring 2012. Taymouth Castle Estate continues to explore ways of ensuring that the local community is able to play on the refurbished golf course upon its completion. It is anticipated that once the hotel operator is appointed, the format for community access will then be advanced as their views will also need to be taken into account for obvious reasons.
CHINESE BRIDGE
Historic Buildings & Follies Work will also press ahead in the New Year with the challenging task of restoring a number of the various historic buildings and’ follies’ on the Estate. In particular, the Apollo’s Temple folly requires careful treatment due to a tree that fell onto the building many years ago and which has grown into the structure. We have undertaken an evaluation of the necessary restoration work and the clearing of overgrown foliage in the immediate vicinity. Before any repair work can begin however, the structure of the building will need to be stabilised by engineers.During the restoration, the dead tree will be carefully removed piece by piece by specialist tree surgeons. The Estate has a number of historic bridges which were in various stages of disrepair when we purchased the Estate. A programme of careful restoration in consultation with Historic Scotland is now well under way utilising with local stonemasons and other craftsman. The initial work on a number of the more prominent bridges will be completed early in the New Year. As many of you will have noticed, extensive work has been undertaken in the area of the East Gatehouse to restore the original stone walling to the entry, improve the landscaping on this important approach to the Estate. Work has also commenced on the restoration of the gatehouse itself in order to make it habitable.
PAINTING THE MAIN TOWER
Work on the residences will also continue in the New Year. The second Show Home is well under way and is due to be completed early in 2012. Following on from [OPZ [OL YLTHPUPUN YLZPKLUJLZ [OH[ MVYT [OL ÄYZ[ WOHZL ^PSS IL I\PS[ PU [OL HYLH HKQHJLU[ [V [OL ÄYZ[ :OV^ /VTL These are expected to be completed by Summer 2012.