DiCamillo Companion
Scotland

Taymouth Castle (Balloch Castle)

  • Earlier Houses: Sir Colin Campbell of Glenorchy built Balloch Castle on the site in 1552; this house was mostly demolished in 1799 to make way for Taymouth Castle.

    House & Family History: In 1842, during its pinnacle as a country house, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert stayed at Taymouth Castle for three days. After the Campbell family decamped and sold up in 1922, Taymouth had a bumpy ride. It served as a hotel, a golf club, and was the subject of various unsuccessful condo conversion attempts. In 2018 the castle was purchased by John Paul DeJoria, who made a fortune with Patron tequila and Paul Mitchell hair products. DeJoria, who founded JP’s Peace, Love & Happiness Foundation in 2011 (the foundation works for a sustainable planet), has said that he is committed to sympathetically restoring Taymouth Castle.

    Comments: John Claudius Loudon called Taymouth "the most magnificent residence in the country." The Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain called the neo-Gothic interiors of Taymouth "arguably second to none since the demise of Fonthill."

  • Garden & Outbuildings: William Adam landscaped the grounds circa 1732. Taymouth has an exceptional ornamental dairy of white quartz, plus an Eleanor Cross, a walled garden, the Round Tower, and octagonal and rustic lodges.

  • Architect: William Atkinson

    Date: 1818-21 & 1827-28
    Designed: Gothic style additions for 4th Earl of Breadalbane

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    Architect: Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin

    Date: 1838-42
    Designed: Interiors for 2nd Marquess

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    Architect: John Soane

    Date: 1808
    Designed: Designs for the Drawing Room (executed?)

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    Architect: Archibald Elliot

    Date: 1806-10
    Designed: Main block for 4th Earl, later 1st Marquess

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    Architect: James Gillespie Graham

    Date: 1838-42
    Designed: Alterations and additions for 2nd Marquess in the castle style

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    Architect: John Douglas

    Date: 1746-50
    Designed: Alterations for 2nd Earl of Breadalbane

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    Architect: Alexander Nasmyth

    Date: 1806
    Designed: Landscaping for 4th Earl of Breadalbane

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    Architect: William Adam Sr.

    Date: Circa 1732 & Circa 1740
    Designed: Garden (circa 1732) and alterations and additions to house (circa 1740), all for 3rd Earl of Breadalbane.

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  • Vitruvius Scoticus: Adam, W., pls. 50, 51, 1810.

    John Bernard (J.B.) Burke, published under the title of A Visitation of the Seats and Arms of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland, among other titles: 2.S. Vol. II, p. 152, 1855.

    John Preston (J.P.) Neale, published under the title of Views of the Seats of Noblemen and Gentlemen in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, among other titles: Vol. VI, 1823. Scotland, 1830.

    Country Life: Alistair Rowan in CXXXVI, 912, 978 plan, 1964.

  • Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - HARDBACK
    Author: Colvin, Howard
    Year Published: 2008
    Reference: pgs. 55, 58, 82, 330, 351, 443, 738
    Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
    ISBN: 9780300125085
    Book Type: Hardback

    Title: Authentic Decor: The Domestic Interior, 1620-1920
    Author: Thornton, Peter
    Year Published: 1985
    Reference: pg. 190
    Publisher: London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson
    ISBN: 0297785044
    Book Type: Hardback

  • House Listed: Category A

    Park Listed: Listed as a Garden & Designed Landscape

  • Current Seat / Home of: John Paul DeJoria; here since 2018.

    Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSE: Sir Colin Campbell of Glenorchy, 16th century. SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: John Campbell, 2nd Earl of Breadalbane and Holland, until 1752; John Campbell, 3rd Earl of Breadalbane and Holland, 1752-82; Lieutenant-General John Campbell, 1st Marquess of Breadalbane and 4th Earl of Breadalbane and Holland, 1806-34; John Campbell, 2nd Marquess of Breadalbane and 5th Earl of Breadalbane and Holland, 1834-62; John Alexander Gavin Campbell, 6th Earl of Breadalbane and Holland, 1862-71; Gavin Campbell, 1st Marquess of Breadalbane (second creation) and and 7th Earl of Breadalbane and Holland, 1871-1922; Campbell family here from 1550 until 1922.

    Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust

    Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home

  • House Open to Public: No

    Historic Houses Member: No