Taymouth Castle

Taymouth Castle is a Gothic building primarily constructed of chlorite-slate ashlar. The main block stands four storeys high and features circular angle towers that rise to five storeys, along with a central staircase and lantern. There is a two-storey east wing and a partly stuccoed brickwork west wing that is two storeys tall, with the southern part being three storeys and built of ashlar. The castle is battlemented throughout.

The building history begins with the demolition of the main block of the old Ballock Castle in 1799, leaving the flanking two-storey wings built around 1733 by William Adam. Construction of the main block commenced in 1806 under architects James and Archibald Elliot, with the cloisters and main building completed by 1808. The staircase was entirely designed and executed by Francis Bernasconi, who also created the plasterwork for the drawing rooms between 1809 and 1812, with paintings by Cornelius Dixon in 1813.

The original east wing was demolished, and a new east wing was constructed between 1818 and 1819, with further extensions completed by 1823, designed by William Atkinson. In 1825, Atkinson also added two-storey stuccoed brickwork with a crenellated parapet to the west wing. Significant alterations were made to the west wing, including the Queen's Rooms, Library, and possibly the Library corridor, as well as a cast-iron external staircase and a great dining hall with an additional storey. New battlements and ashlar casing were added to the Adam wing by architect J. Gillespie Graham between 1838 and 1842, with interior work by A.W.N. Pugin. The drawing room and other ceilings were designed by J.G. Grace based on Pugin's designs, considered some of the finest of their period in the UK.