The Estate will not be a gated community. We are fully committed to the letter and spirit of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 and the public’s right to roam. When the project is complete, the core path network will be restored as closely as possible to its original state.
Currently, there are approximately 3.8km of open core paths on the Taymouth Castle Estate, providing access from Kenmore to Croft Moraig. Temporary core path diversions have been approved by Perth and Kinross Council for the health and safety of visitors in an active construction zone.
The project currently directly employs more than 200 people plus contracted workers. 90% of these individuals live in Scotland, many of them locally. We estimate 200+ permanent on-site positions will be created, and an additional 200 third-party service providers will work across the Estate.
We understand that the region already faces a shortage of workforce housing, and we continue to look for opportunities to expand the availability of affordable options.
A significant number of people who live locally are already employed on the Estate. To create additional housing, we have fully renovated the Gatehouse, Am Fasgadh, Brae units, Police House, and other facilities within Kenmore.
The Estate has also acquired Moness Resort with the goal of expanding access to workforce housing. When not utilised for hospitality, 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom cottages at Moness Resort will be used for affordable homes.
Over the past several months, we have undertaken a number of initiatives to keep our neighbours apprised of our activities and progress on the property.
For example, every quarter we send local residents a direct mail newsletter with a note from our General Manager and updates on our activities. We participate in regular meetings with the local and neighbouring community councils. We have also held a meeting for Kenmore residents, which included a presentation by our GM and an opportunity for questions from attendees.
We welcomed a dedicated, full-time community relations manager to our team who meets with local businesses and residents to share information and answer any questions. The welcometotaymouth.com website is kept updated with regular news posts, the latest maps of the project and other timely information.
As we have seen at other Discovery Land Company properties, we anticipate that new homeowners will enjoy being a part of the community and supporting local businesses.
To improve safety, we are making several roadway and utility improvements within the Estate, all of which follow approved plans. Additionally, we have obtained consent for a new west access, just before Kenmore Beach. This is intended to minimise additional traffic entering Kenmore itself.
We are working on proposals for the east end of the Estate to divert deliveries away from Kenmore and reduce traffic on the A827. We hope to receive the necessary approvals in the coming months.
After conducting a detailed survey of the property, we determined very little maintenance work – if any – has been completed in the past 70 years and significant tree management is required to preserve the natural landscape and historic and important trees. Our team is working closely with an expert arboricultural consultant to remove dead, dying, and potentially hazardous trees and remove invasive plants that are threatening native habitats.
We have been working closely with Perth and Kinross Council Tree and Woodland officers and the planning department to take into account the Designed Landscape designation by Historic Environment Scotland.
To safeguard the Estate’s outstanding natural environment and wildlife, we are working closely with two ecology consultants who have surveyed the Estate and the Loch as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
We are in close contact with NatureScot regarding our planning applications, and we are working closely with experts to protect and enhance wildlife across the Estate. For example, we have engaged a respected veterinary surgeon specialising in deer health to help us monitor and, where possible, improve the health and habitat of the population of roe and red deer on the Estate. We have also conducted surveys of beaver, fox, otter and red squirrel populations and habitat, so they may be protected
Fly fishing for trout is permitted from the north bank of the river between Kenmore Bridge and Chinese Bridge. All catches should be reported online and include the location, species, length and weight of fish. This will permit us to secure accurate information relating to the health and number of fish in Estate waters. To preserve fish stocks, we request that all fish are returned to the river unharmed.
Daily trout fishing permit applications can be made online here.
People who seek to fish for salmon will have to do so outside of the Estate. We apologise if this creates an inconvenience.
Yes. We purchased the Glenlyon Estate in 2022. There will be no change in use from the previous owner and Glenlyon will be preserved for hiking and outdoor sports activities.
The Kenmore Hotel, the Village Shop and post office, Taymouth Trading, Brae Cottages, Am Fasgadh & Gatehouse, Paper Boat, Police House, St. Margaret’s & Willowbank, Nurses Cottage, and Boathouse cottages are owned by DLC or entities affiliated with DLC.
The Kenmore Hotel requires extensive renovations of the mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and fire safety elements. We are currently working with Perth & Kinross Council, Kenmore & District Community Council on approvals, and we hope to reopen the hotel to the public in 2026.
The local shop, which was closed by the previous owner, will reopen as a general store in Spring 2024. The updated shop will be locally managed and will offer bread, milk, eggs and other basic locally sourced goods, alongside ‘grab and go’ items, ice cream, coffee, beer, wine and other goods.
Current plans include a restaurant and pub, open to the public. When the plans are complete, we will share them with Kenmore Community Council for community engagement and comment and Perth & Kinross Council. We estimate this process will take approximately 18-24 months.
We have secured Planning and Listed building consent to refurbish Deerpark Bridge (a listed structure) with a view to bringing it back into full use. This includes consent to carry out extensive structural repairs as the arch is failing.
We have secured planning and listed building consent to refurbish and redevelop the East Wing. This superseded the previous consents (2011 and 2018).
We have secured planning consent for a variation to the house designs and locations that will allow us to reduce the number of houses and move previously approved houses out of the flood risk zone.
Planning and listed building consents have been secured for alterations to the rear of the Castle. This will ensure that all previously consented sprinkler tanks, boilers, water tanks and the electrical substation are now contained in a single facility, rather than scattered over the gardens to the north of the Castle.
We have secured detailed planning and listed building approval for the refurbishment of the East Gate. This will allow for the realignment of the access road into the Estate from the A824 and the construction of a new wall to replace one that was dilapidated and previously removed.
Inchadney
We have secured planning permission to form a ‘borrow’ pit that will provide gravel and sand for the Estate, thus minimising traffic along the A824.
Planning consent has also been secured for the formation of a tree nursery to provide native stock that we will use for the extensive replanting across the Estate.
Planning consent is in place for a cycle route / path running parallel to the Drummond Hill Road. This will increase road safety and extend the existing cycle and pedestrian path from Kenmore. This work was done at the request of and in cooperation with Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust.
We are committed to ensuring Taymouth Estate lives in harmony with Scotland’s rich culture and traditions, the local community, and the natural beauty of the region. Here is how we intend to make this a reality:
We will honour the letter and spirit of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2023.
There are approximately 3.8km of core paths on the Taymouth Castle Estate. When the project is complete, visitors will have access to new amenities, such as water stations, toilets and pet rest areas.
We will protect, preserve, and improve the landscape and natural surroundings.
We will continue to work with tree experts to assess, protect, and replant historic and native trees across the Estate. We will remove invasive vegetation that threatens the natural habitat.
We are committed to the welfare of native wildlife and have a long-term plan to ensure the health, safety and sustainability of all fauna at Taymouth Castle.
Our team of specialists will conduct thorough wildlife censuses to provide recommendations for their protection and welfare.
Throughout the design and construction, we will prioritise renewable energy sources to maximise recycling, limit water use, and minimise the Estate’s carbon footprint.
We will harness renewable energy sources, cutting-edge heat and energy recovery technologies, and natural materials wherever feasible. We aim to surpass conventional methods, adopting innovative strategies to conserve water and energy and reduce waste.
We will work to protect and preserve the quality of the River Tay
We are working to remove existing sources of pollution and invasive species while monitoring fish stocks and maintaining the grounds in a manner that eliminates runoff.
We will restore historic and listed structures using original materials, techniques and specialised craftspeople wherever possible.
Working with experts in restoration, preservation, and architecture, in accordance with planning regulations we are restoring Taymouth Castle and historic structures, bridges, and historical objects on the Estate. All restorations seek to meet or surpass Historic Scotland’s standards.
Commercial properties affiliated with Taymouth Estate in Kenmore Village will be renovated, restored and reopened to the public.
After considered refurbishment, the public toilets, Village Shop, Taymouth Trading and Kenmore Hotel will be reopened to the public.
We will continue to engage with the local community to share plans, address questions, and listen to suggestions and concerns.
We commit to meeting with nearby community councils and elected officials, share and update information through the community website and newsletter, and engage with local people
To stay updated on the progress of the development, please see our news section for updates.
