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Kenmore villagers praised for work with Taymouth Castle bosses in ‘ghost town’ rebirth

Critics said the Taymouth Castle estate's new owners would be the death of Kenmore. Regeneration experts disagree.

Group of Kenmore residents standing in front of gates to Taymouth Castle
Kenmore locals have been praised for the way they've worked with the new Taymouth Castle owners to boost the village's fortunes. Image: Mhairi Edwards/DC Thomson

Kenmore and its new neighbours at Taymouth Castle have won national recognition for their work to turn around the Perthshire village’s fortunes.

Kenmore was highly commended in the SURF Awards, which recognise best practice in community regeneration.

The judges say the village’s prospects are on the up, following years of decline and underfunding.

And they highlight the way Kenmore locals have collaborated with the owners of the Taymouth Castle estate.

Taymouth Castle exterior with forests and mountains behind
Taymouth Castle has reopened to guests following a £100m refurbishment. Image: Kenny Smith/DC Thomson.

Discovery Land Company purchased the estate in 2019.

The US firm intends to build up to 140 members-only luxury homes there after saving the Victorian Castle from ruin.

But the project has been criticised in some quarters.

Taymouth Castle interior
Taymouth Castle has been restored to its former glory. Image: Supplied.

Opponents launched a campaign last summer, which accused the developer of planning a gated community for the super-rich, and turning Kenmore into a “ghost town”.

Taymouth Castle partnership contributing to Kenmore ‘sense of hope’

The SURF Awards judges note Kenmore had fallen into “steep decline” in the years prior to the Taymouth Castle takeover.

But they applaud Kenmore Community Council for its success at building partnerships with Taymouth Castle Estate, as well as with Perth and Kinross Council and other local organisations and businesses.

Group of people walking through Kenmore with village church in background
Partnership is the name of the game in Kenmore. Image: Mhairi Edwards/DC Thomson

This has led to the reopening of the public toilets and new street lighting and picnic benches.

Other highlights include the refurbishment of Kenmore village shop and a programme of community events, including the recent Christmas lights-switch on.

Jon Iddon is one of the many locals who have contributed to Kenmore’s success.

He’s an active member of the community council.

He also chairs the Breadalbane Reading Room committee, and is a prime mover in many of its activities.

Group of Kenmore residents standing in village square
Jon, third from right, with friends and neighbours in Kenmore. Image: Mhairi Edwards/DC Thomson

These include the weekly Warm Welcome sessions, a monthly quiz night (with Jon as quizmaster), local history talks, and Wednesday music nights which regularly see the Reading Room packed to the rafters with musicians, locals and visitors to the village.

He’s working with the local primary school on a new Capercaille Trail. Then, there’s the small matter of the Easter fun day – being held in partnership with the nearby Crannog Centre – and VE Day commemorations.

For a small community, Kenmore packs a big punch, says Jon.

And while the controversy over the Taymouth Castle campaign could have caused divisions, here it seems to have brought people closer together.

People walking out from gates of Taymouth Castle
A village united – and on the up. Image: Mhairi Edwards/DC Thomson

“More people are coming out to events,” said Jon.

“It’s really heartening after everything that was going on last summer and autumn.

“Compared to a couple of years ago, there’s a real spring in the step of the village.”

Taymouth Castle ‘part of Kenmore community

Kenmore’s population has also swelled with the arrival of Taymouth Castle Estate workers and their families, who are now living permanently in former holiday homes.

John Swinney and Chris Rowley outside Kenmore Village Shop
First Minister John Swinney visited Kenmore after the village shop re-opened. He’s pictured here with Chris Rowley, of Ballintaggart, which is now running the business on behalf of the estate. Image: Supplied.

All this, say the judges, is contributing to “a sense of hope, increased community participation and renewed prosperity for this small rural community”.

Colin Morton attended the awards in Glasgow on behalf of Kenmore Community Council.

He said it was heartening for the village after too long in the spotlight for the wrong reasons.

Colin Morton and Fiona Smith in formal wear next to Christmas tree at awards ceremony
Colin Morton and Fiona Smith at the SURF Awards in Glasgow. Image: Supplied.

“The judges were really impressed with the partnerships we’ve forged, with Taymouth Castle and others,” he said.

“It was nice to hear.

“We’ve been told for the last two years that we’re a ‘ghost town’, that everything’s falling to bits. But that’s not been the reality.”

Piper leading procession through Kenmore watched by large crowds on either side of the road
The Taymouth Castle estate supported the recent Christmas in Kenmore celebrations. Image: Kenmore Community Council.

A Taymouth Castle spokesperson said: “The team at Taymouth has worked in partnership with the Kenmore community over the last number of years to support initiatives that make Kenmore a great place to live, work and visit for everyone.

“The SURF Awards show what can be achieved by collaborative working and we, as part of this community, are excited to see how the area continues to flourish.”

Protest group calls it quits

Much of the criticism of the Taymouth Castle estate was steered by the Protect Loch Tay protest group.

Its online petition – raising fears of “an influx of American millionaires and their speed boats, watersports and helicopter taxis, destroying our peaceful loch” – attracted more than 160,000 signatures.

However, the group announced it was giving up the fight last month.

Drone view of Taymouth Castle estate with Kenmore and Loch Tay in the background
Taymouth Castle estate with Kenmore and Loch Tay in the background. Image: Supplied

Many locals have said all along that they welcome the development.

The project – Discovery Land Company’s first in the UK – is due for completion by the end of 2029 and is expected to provide around 250 full-time jobs.

The Taymouth Castle Estate has also purchased a number of properties around Kenmore, which it is refurbishing.

The village shop opened in the summer and the Kenmore Hotel is due to re-open to the public in 2026.

Kenmore Hotel exterior
The Kenmore Hotel may be closed, but the village is still open for business. Image: Steve MacDougall/DC Thomson.

Analysts have forecast the development could boost the Perth and Kinross economy by £390m in its first 25 years.

The SURF Awards are organised by Scotland’s Regeneration Forum.

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