Examine individual changes

'[[Image:Taymouth Castle.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Taymouth Castle's eastern façade]] '''Taymouth Castle''' is situated just north-east of the village of [[Kenmore, Perth and Kinross]] in the [[Highlands of Scotland]]. It stands on the site of the much older [[Balloch Castle (Perth and Kinross)|Balloch Castle]] (built in 1550), which was demolished to be rebuilt on a much larger scale in the early 19th century by the [[Clan Campbell|Campbells]] of [[Breadalbane, Scotland|Breadalbane]]. Built in the neo-Gothic style on a lavish scale, no expense was spared on the castle's interior, which was decorated with extravagant sumptuousness incorporating carvings, plasterwork and murals. Panels of medieval stained glass and Renaissance woodwork were incorporated into the scheme. Much of this decor survives, though the castle has lost most of its original rich furnishings. It has been empty since 1979, although plans have been put forward for its redevelopment as a luxury hotel. The castle is a [[listed building#Scotland|category A listed building]],<ref name=listed>{{cite web |url=http://data.historic-scotland.gov.uk/pls/htmldb/f?p=2200:15:0::::BUILDING:12093 |title=Taymouth Castle |publisher=Historic Scotland |accessdate=11 January 2013}}</ref> and the grounds are included in the [[Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes]], the national listing of significant gardens.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://data.historic-scotland.gov.uk/pls/htmldb/f?p=2400:15:0::::GARDEN:GDL00354 |title=Taymouth Castle |work=An Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland |publisher=Historic Scotland |accessdate=11 January 2013}}</ref> It is also included on the [[Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland]].<ref name=risk>{{cite web |url=http://www.buildingsatrisk.org.uk/details/894064 |title=Taymouth Castle, Kenmore |work=Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland |publisher= |accessdate=11 January 2013}}</ref> ==History== ===Balloch Castle=== A [[tower houses in Britain and Ireland|tower house]] on the site, known as '''Balloch Castle''', was built around 1550 by Sir Colin Campbell of Glenorchy,<ref name=rcahms>{{cite web |url=http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/24893/details/taymouth+castle/ |title=Taymouth Castle |publisher=[[RCAHMS]] |accessdate=11 January 2013}}</ref> descendent of [[Duncan Campbell, 1st Lord Campbell]]. Sir Colin's son, [[Campbell_baronets#Campbell_baronets.2C_of_Glenorchy_.281625.29|Sir Duncan Campbell]], was made a [[baronet]] in 1625. [[James VI]] visited the castle in August 1582, tipping the gardener 40 shillings - only a few days later he was seized at the [[Ruthven Raid]].<ref>National Archives of Scotland E22/5 August 1582</ref> ===18th-century rebuilding=== [[File:Taymouth Castle James Norie.jpg|thumb|300px|Taymouth Castle painted in 1733 by James Norie, showing William Adam's improvements to the house and gardens]] Sir Duncan Campbell's descendent [[John Campbell, 1st Earl of Breadalbane and Holland|John Campbell]] was created [[Earl of Breadalbane and Holland]] in 1681. In 1720 the [[John Campbell, 2nd Earl of Breadalbane and Holland|2nd Earl]] commissioned [[William Adam (architect)|William Adam]] to remodel the house and lay out extensive formal gardens.<ref name=gardenhist>{{cite web |url=http://data.historic-scotland.gov.uk/pls/htmldb/f?p=2400:15:0::::GARDEN:GDL00354#history |title=Taymouth Castle: Site History |work=An Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland |publisher=Historic Scotland |accessdate=11 January 2013}}</ref> The 2nd Earl's son oversaw further changes in the 1750s, and by the 1780s the formal gardens had been replaced with a [[picturesque]] landscape in the manner of [[Stourhead]] and [[Painshill Park]].<ref name=gardenhist/> ===The present castle=== The [[John Campbell, 1st Marquess of Breadalbane|4th Earl]] called upon [[Robert Mylne (architect)|Robert Mylne]] to prepare plans for a new "chateau" in 1789, though they were not carried out.<ref name=gardenhist/> Ten years later the main block of the old house was demolished, to be replaced from 1806 by a [[Gothic revival|Gothic]] building to the designs of the brothers James and [[Archibald Elliot]]. The English-Italian [[Francis Bernasconi]] carried out the ornate plasterwork of the staircase and drawing rooms between 1809 and 1812.<ref name=listed/> In 1818 the old east wing was pulled down and replaced by a two-storey wing designed by [[William Atkinson (architect)|William Atkinson]].<ref name=listed/> The 4th Earl, created [[Marquess of Breadalbane]] in 1831, was succeeded by the [[John Campbell, 2nd Marquess of Breadalbane|2nd Marquess]] in 1834. He completed the improvements from 1838, by the remodelling of William Adam's west wing, which was enlarged and refaced to match the main block. This time the architect was [[James Gillespie Graham]], with interiors designed by [[A. W. N. Pugin]]. The ceilings of the west wing are described by [[Historic Scotland]] as the "finest of their period in UK".<ref name=listed/> The works were complete by 1842, in time for the first visit to Scotland of [[Queen Victoria]] and [[Prince Albert]], when they stayed at Taymouth for three days.<ref name=gardenhist/> On the death of the 2nd Marquess, Taymouth passed to a distant cousin, along with the Earldom of Breadalbane. The Marquessate was re-created for his son [[Gavin Campbell, 1st Marquess of Breadalbane|Gavin Campbell]] in 1885. The family estates were much reduced during his tenure, and on his death in 1922 Taymouth Castle was sold.<ref name=gardenhist/> It was converted into a hotel, opening in 1929, with an 18-hole golf course designed by [[James Braid (golfer)|James Braid]] in the grounds. It was used as a hospital for Polish troops during the [[Second World War]], and between 1950 and 1968 it housed the [[Civil Defence Corps]] training school for Scotland.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.civildefenceassociation.org.uk/HistCDWebA5V5.pdf |work=A Brief history of Civil Defence |editor=Essex-Lopresti, Tim |author=Alley, Eric |pages=35,55 |title=Civil Defence Corps 1949 - 1968 |year=2005 |publisher=Civil Defence Association}}</ref> Taymouth was subsequently used by a boarding school for American children. This closed in 1979 and the building has since lain empty, though the golf course has continued to be operated separately.<ref name=risk/><ref name=gardenhist/> ===Restoration=== In 2004, it was reported that plans to redevelop the castle as a "six-star" hotel had been approved by Perth and Kinross Council.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3533134.stm |title= Council backs castle hotel plans | publisher = BBC News | date= 4 August 2004}}</ref> By May 2006 the buildings was weathertight,<ref>{{cite news| title= Castle resort work ahead of plan | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/4997710.stm | publisher= BBC News | date=19 May 2006}}</ref> but work stopped in late 2006 and in April 2009 the company restoring Taymouth Castle was declared insolvent.<ref>{{cite news| title= Plan for six-star hotel collapses | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7993529.stm| publisher= BBC News| date=10 April 2009}}</ref> Following the purchase of the estate by Meteor Asset Management, work re-commenced late in 2010 and, despite financial problems, the restoration was continuing in summer 2012.<ref name=risk/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/business/company-news/creditors-of-cursed-castle-made-to-wait.18134469 |date=14 July 2012 |title=Creditors of cursed castle made to wait |work=The Herald}}</ref> ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== {{Commons category|Taymouth Castle}} *[http://www.taymouth-castle.com/ Taymouth Castle Estate] *[http://www.taymouthcastlegolfclub.com/ Taymouth Castle Golf Club] *[http://www.breadalbane.com/places/castle.htm Taymouth Castle], Breadalbane community website {{Clan Campbell}} {{coord|56|35|42|N|3|58|52|W|region:GB-SCT_type:landmark|display=title}} [[Category:Castles in Perth and Kinross]] [[Category:Category A listed buildings in Perth and Kinross]] [[Category:Listed castles in Scotland]] [[Category:Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes]] [[Category:James Gillespie Graham buildings]] [[Category:Country houses in Perth and Kinross]]'