Kenmore Hotel’s new look revealed

Plans for the signage submitted by Denholm Partnership Architects

Taymouth Castle owners planning historic change

The first glimpse of the new Kenmore Hotel has been revealed with ‘Scotland’s oldest inn’ set to return to its 16th Century roots.

The Category B listed hotel has been closed since March 2022 when it was bought by Discovery Land Company, the US based investment group behind the creation of a £300m private residential community at Taymouth Castle.

However, plans have been submitted for new signage at the front of the hotel which will see the new owners re-name the popular waterside establishment, The Kenmore Inn.

Rich history

That will please those with a historic bent as the former hotel claimed to be Scotland’s oldest inn, dating back to 1572 when it was declared an accommodation by Laird Colin Campbell.

Its rich past has included a visit by Robert Burns in 1787, a dalliance by Wordsworth and a honeymoon stay for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

However, the recent history of the property, which has long been a favourite spot for visitors, has been more turbulent.

Failure to retain staff during the pandemic led to the former owners deciding to sell up after reported losses of £40 000 per week.

Changing face of Kenmore

It was then purchased by representatives of Discovery Land Company, the American consortium behind the Taymouth Castle restoration, along with other properties such as the village shop and post office, Taymouth trading and several local accommodations.

In July, the group gave notice that they were embarking upon a Phase 1 exterior revamp of the Kenmore Hotel, to include repairs to the façade, restoration of the front canopy and the removal of a courtyard building behind the Reading Rooms.

The new signage, if approved, will be part of that exterior phase although expectations of a future opening, in full, are being carefully managed by the owners.

In a statement on the group’s website, it denotes that the ‘extensive redesign’ is ‘contingent on design and planning approvals’.

The signage plans have been submitted by Comrie-based Denholm Partnership Architects on behalf of London-registered River Tay Development Ltd which is linked to Discovery Land Company.