Deer Stalking & Clay Shooting: Discover The Amenities At This Scottish Castle Home

VIP experiences, free gallery tickets and exclusive access to luxury spas… as big city developments entice in residents with increasingly creative amenities, it seems that the city slickers have it all. But for prospective buyers looking for something more off the beaten track, this Scottish castle (and its many homes) offers up a more gilet and wellies array of amenities. From clay shooting and deer stalking (with a mini stalking masterclass on offer for newbies) to fishing and pickleball, life at Taymouth Castle isn’t built for those scared of a bit of mud. 

Inside Taymouth Castle

The History

Located in the heart of the Scottish highlands, on the foot of the Grampian mountains, Taymouth Castle started life in the early 19th century when it was erected on the spot of an earlier 16th century castle. Designed in the Gothic Revival style, rumour has it that extensive additions were made ahead of Queen Victoria’s visit in 1842. Left vacant for many years, the following decades saw Taymouth transform into a hotel and golf club – until 1982 when it seemed its walls would remain empty for good. 

Today, Taymouth castle has expanded beyond its days as a golf club, to a golf and sport club – and a home. 

Don’t raise your hopes too high: the castle itself isn’t up for grabs. But, if you wish to enjoy its amenities, there are 145 other residences on site – ranging from cottages and contemporary villas to luxury turnkeys, plus 23 castle suites to be rented to the guests of members. 

This new vision for Taymouth Castle as a members-only community was brought to life by Discovery Land Company, with developers completing a £100m restoration of the Category A listed castle in the summer of 2024. Working closely with some of the most respected historians in Scotland, many original details were preserved through the work of Perthshire-based architects McKenzie Strickland Associates, including 19th century murals, carvings and Renaissance woodwork.

The castle facade alone took a whole year to restore. Meanwhile, in the main reception room, the original fireplace, ceiling and plasterwork were restored to bring the space back to its former glory and emphasise the height and drama of the staircase. Measuring 75 ft tall and originally designed by Francis Bernasconi, the main Stairwell Hall is widely considered the greatest gothic stairwell in Scotland. And now, following on from its repainting, ceiling re-gilding and stained glass window restoration, it has been returned to its former glory. 

Special attention was also paid to the stained glass windows in the Baron’s Hall – a rare surviving artwork by William Raphael Egington, originally made in London in the 1800s. Noted as a ‘technological masterpiece’, the Grade I listed window is considered one of the most important painted glass windows in Britain, showcasing the family tree of Glenorchy. The oldest window in the castle, however, is the 14th century Jesse Trees window in the Banner Hall, with its restoration involving an elaborate series of treatments to revive its vibrant colour. In addition, all the woodwork in the library was polished and restored by hand – including the wooden screen in the southern wall specifically designed to hinge open for Queen Victoria so she could squeeze her large dresses inside.

Explore Outside

Between Taymouth Castle and the adjacent Glenlyon sporting estate (described by famed writer Sir Walter Scott as ‘the longest, loneliest, and loveliest glen in Scotland’), the estate spans 8,000 acres of the National Scenic Area, with the famed Loch Tay and River Tay only a stone’s throw away. The longest river in Scotland, Tay is best-known for its Atlantic salmon fishing, attracting anglers from all over the world to its streams. If, however, you’re more of a swinger than a fisher, the estate is also renowned for its golfing with Taymouth Castle’s golf course having been originally designed by five-time Open Champion James Braid in 1920. More recently, a redesigned 18-hole course was created by Beau Welling Design, elevating Braid’s original vision to adhere to USGA Championship Standards. 

In case all the biking, hiking, falconry and foraging doesn’t tire residents out, they can also enjoy the fitness centre complete with spa, tennis and pickleball courts, kids club, yoga, pilates and an equestrian centre, as well as an observatory to stargaze the Northern lights.

Aside from the mountainous wilds, the estate also promises landscaped gardens and a working organic farm from where residents and the on-site kitchen can pick produce. The culinary offerings (which range from dining in The Baron’s Hall, afternoon tea in The Chinese Drawing Room, unique whiskey experiences in The Banner Hall, and more casual dining in The Tavern) promise to be fit for a king, with the kitchen headed up by none other than the former head chef to King Charles, Gary Robinson. As well as the food that is foraged and grown on-site, 70 percent of ingredients are sourced within two hours of the kitchen doors. 

Price of residences on application. Find out more at taymouthcastleclub.com