latest news

There is so much going on all the time at Mains of Taymouth – as we strive to make it one of the highest quality luxury self catering ‘all in’ experiences for discerning visitors to the Highlands of Scotland. In this section we’ll keep you up to date on our journey of quality. To us to reach and maintain the highest quality visitor experience is a continuous journey, not a destination.

Hobbit House is our latest addition for 2006. On the golf front we press on with plans to expand Kenmore Golf Course - “Perthshire’s finest 9 holes” - with plans for a further 9 holes, new club house and facilities all planned for 2007.

Watch this space!

MAINS OF TAYMOUTH COTTAGES - FEATURED IN HOMES & INTERIORS SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 2005

Next year an inconspicuous corner of Perthshire will be under the spotlight when it becomes home to the UK’s first six star hotel. Fiona Armstrong pre-empts the fuss with a trip to Taymouth where top-notch accommodation is already on offer.

The notion of taking a country break with anyone other than selected family members and a meticulous itinerary holds more fear for some folk than a fortnight’s cycling at Butlins with George Bush. For starters an itinerary would prove redundant the moment ‘good friends’ Jill and John renege at the notion of climbing anything other than the stairs to bed, and sleep through your painstakingly prepared four-course breakfast.

Then there are the rest of us, who depart from such get-togethers feeling certain life in a commune could only be a good thing, with all that witty repartee and lovingly assembled spag bol flying around. To maintain the feel good factor, a 33.5-year birthday proves good enough reason to book the next venue. But for those totting up more country breaks per year than is strictly decent, a dozen stag heads and as many roaring fires just aren’t providing the ‘wow’ factor anymore.

It’ll be brownie points for anyone claiming discovery of Mains Park Court for the next trip, a property with country character (yes, there’s a log burning stove) simultaneously offering the experience of a stylish boutique hotel. How many times have you rolled up to a castle or country mansion to have socks toasted by under floor heating?

Mains Park Court flies the flag for all that’s discerning about Mains of Taymouth Cottages, a redevelopment of courtyard steadings beside the pretty village of Kenmore. At the head of Loch Tay, the buildings were constructed in the 19th century to accommodate the home farm for neighbouring Taymouth Castle, the sprawling structure that’s being honed as Britain’s first six star hotel.

In the last few years the courtyard conversion has created seven self-catering properties, part of an enterprise the likes of which you can imagine being conjured up over one of those get-togethers.

Four couples with a strong enough friendship to call a spade a space (and a bad idea a bad idea) are involved in plans for a ‘holiday village’ at Taymouth, the aforementioned Butlins thankfully far from their upmarket concept. Central to plans are the Menzies family, two generations of which has moved the focus of this 120-acre estate from agriculture to tourism. Their original riverside campsite is now undergoing transition to top class static homes and log chalets while Robin Menzies almost single handedly built the development’s nine-hole golf course with a second hand JCB and materials from the family quarry. At the time of writing he’s taking a holiday, just as well as another nine holes await his return as does a further courtyard development of 13 ‘upside down’ mews houses, subject to planning. These will be sold as homes while subsequent plans include 22 timeshare and letting cottages, an equestrian centre and swimming pool. Phew.

And all this on top of a summer 2005 opening for The Courtyard restaurant and shopping destination within a structure that might have been airlifted from an Alpine ski resort. Local architect Michael Gray designed the striking building, its facilities appealing to locals as well as tourists drawn to this village by attractions including the award winning Scottish Crannog Centre.

Enter friends, Henry and Marion Murdoch, armed with extensive retail experience at John Lewis and keen, having launched their own business (do these people ever draw breath?) to return to customer based roles. Informal chats with Robin and Irena Menzies filled them with enthusiasm and with friends Colin and Elaine Burns they seized the opportunity to run the home ware shop and deli. The pool of expertise is revealed in discerning window displays (not an inch of twee in sight) with items from funky red kitchen scales to irresistible textiles fronting a timber clad interior, where wallets are lured out of deep pockets by exciting European design. Distinctive yet reasonably priced buys include ‘FatBoy’ beanbags (for dogs and people), Bodum’s kitchen and tableware, Typhoon’s vintage storage and GreenGate fabrics and soft furnishings.

Finished drooling yet? Start all over again in the deli (think Harvey Nichols food hall) with fresh, chilled and packaged foods from Scottish and international suppliers. Managed by Chris Dawson, formerly of House of Bruar the deli provides luxurious means to furnishing your holiday cottage fridge with organic veg, Fair Trade coffee, wild boar sausages and (too beautiful to eat) Antonio Marella striped pasta.

As for couple four, regular readers might remember Jake and Kim Schamrel, featured on these pages at the helm of Aberfeldy’s Farleyer Restaurant and Rooms. Inspired by the Menzies’ plans they’ve taken tenancy of The Courtyard’s contemporary restaurant. Replete with outdoor patio and separate bar, ideal for lunch, its modern Scottish cuisine should prise you from the, albeit beautiful kitchen in your cottage every now and then.

The Menzies intend all cottages to boast five stars within the next few years. Smaller parties might consider the quirky Fairways Cottage built over the 19th century archway while Drummond Cottage snugly holds three. Watch out too for a new baby in 2006, the Hobbit House, currently being built in a secluded riverside spot a mile from the main site. Equipped with six sleeping bags it’s a great fishing den that can be hired alongside the larger cottages.

While Mains Park Court sleeps eleven (nine, should no one be willing to sleep on a camp bed) it retains an intimate atmosphere and even a couple won’t rattle within its walls.
The property’s under floor heating, beneath Turkish marble tiles, is apt welcome to its cosy style. From the courtyard entry an open plan living/dining area with exposed steel beams and a reclaimed timber table greets guests.

Robin’s father Duncan is a bit of a sculptor and his tactile timber pieces add interest. Logs are supplied for the back to back wood burning stove between dining and lounge areas, the latter filled with leather furniture resplendent in faux fur throws and suede cushions, kicking back around a wide screen plasma TV. If your party is divided between the football and Gone with the Wind take the spiral stairs to the mezzanine lounge, an alternative den with black leather sofas and chairs.

So far, so classic contemporary, as is the kitchen with granite work surfaces, solid birch furniture and vast island unit. Appliances are more redolent of a smart city pad, the predictability of an Aga usurped by a striking stainless steel range. High quality gadgets from designer juicers to espresso machines make this a great foodie playground and you’ll feel quality in every accessory, from Denby china to Nigella Lawson bowls.

A short staircase of salvaged timber drops to the property’s back entrance where there’s a corridor for dumping muddy boots. The bathroom at one end (with aromatherapy steam shower and all over body jets) serves not only the single bedroom tucked to the opposite side, but guests using the hot tub and sauna on the exterior deck.

Fresh flowers are all over the place, from lilies in the kitchen to roses in master bedrooms located at roof height with large Velux windows in sloping ceilings, and mahogany furniture including king size sleigh beds. What bliss to delve into French lotions and potions by L’Occitane in en suite bathrooms, where under floor heating luxuriously continues its good work.
Last year The Sunday Times voted Mains of Taymouth ‘Number One Cottage Complex in Britain’ and it’s a revelation to discover all this stylish enterprise just over the bridge from sleepy Kenmore. Choose companions carefully and who knows what plans might spill forth during your own get-together there.

Mains Park Court, Friday to Friday bookings from £1500 low reason to £2,563 high season, and £3,000 for New Year week. Short breaks available from 1st Nov-28th Feb at a minimum charge of £1500. Hobbit House available from 2006, April to Oct, three nights, £250, one week, £500. For info on accommodation, bar and brasserie restaurant, deli and shop visit www.taymouth.co.uk

Fiona Armstrong - Homes & Interiors Scotland