THERE WAS fresh hope yesterday for plans which would breathe new life into a deteriorating Perthshire stately home, creating Scotland’s first six-star hotel.

Developer Hotels International met Historic Scotland chiefs in a bid to salvage £70 million plans for Taymouth Castle, Kenmore, which had come close to being derailed by a red tape wrangle.

Describing the meeting as “productive and very positive,” it now hopes the mammoth development is back on track.

Historic Scotland officials will visit the category A-listed building tomorrow along with the developer’s architects and planning consultants to work through some of the issues standing in the way of progress.

“Historic Scotland are making every effort to ensure we can purchase the castle...and we hope to be able to exercise our option by our deadline of January 15,” said a spokeswoman for Hotels International.

The news was warmly greeted by prominent local figures, including North Tayside MSP John Swinney and Breadalbane councillor Ken Lyall.

Mr Swinney commented, “I am greatly heartened that this project has taken another decisive step forward.

“There is a real prospect of it now going ahead.

“I appreciate the commitment given by Historic Scotland to send two of their officers to the castle on Sunday to undertake some of the assessment required.”

The MSP said this was a very clear sign that there is a willingness to ensure that the plans go ahead.

“I am hopeful that there is a very large economic boost heading to Highland Perthshire in the years to come,” he added.

Mr Lyall said he had been approached by many members of the community with regards “the serious prospect of Taymouth not happening.”

He added, “The community is behind the development and was very concerned when they heard there were problems.

“Fortunately, it is now looking very promising.”

Earlier in the day members of the communities surrounding Taymouth Castle were talking of formulating a “Plan B” if their pleas for the development to be given the go-ahead failed.

Local business men, accommodation providers and members of the tourism sector were joined by members of community councils and Mr Swinney at a meeting in the Farleyer House Hotel on Thursday evening at which they pledged their support for Hotels International’s plans.

Mr Swinney said there was widespread support throughout the community for the plans, which would safeguard Taymouth’s future after years of failed proposals.

“It was clear that there is enormous community support for Hotels International’s proposal and I have assured the developers of this,” said Mr Swinney.

“Part of the strength of this bid is that it has always had the support of the local community councils and the local authority.”

He added, “There is a feeling that this is a proposal that has gone very far and that is not far from being acceptable and getting agreement and there is a hope that any obstacles can be worked out.

“Over the past 20 years proposals have come and gone and the castle has deteriorated.

“This is an opportunity to come forward with a good proposal that will benefit the castle and also Highland Perthshire.”

Business man Steve McCall was among those who attended the meeting, which resulted in a plea to Tourism Minister Patricia Ferguson and the First Minister on behalf of the community.

“If this development were allowed to fall through it would be a massive missed opportunity,” he said.

“This could be one of the last opportunities for something meaningful to happen to Taymouth and the whole community is behind it.”

He added, “The impact on the area will be significant if it goes through.

“We all hope that something concrete will come out of the discussions between the developers and Historic Scotland.

“Having the best hotel in Europe in the Tay Valley is not to be sniffed at.”

The project could provide up to 300 jobs in the area.