Restoration work began last week at the castle, which was bought by US-headquartered Discovery Land Company in 2018, and will continue for three to four years, The Courier reports.

At present, councillors have given the go-ahead for the restoration of the castle as well as the construction of a new north wing, 167 residential properties, a golf clubhouse, an equestrian centre, a new restaurant, two spas and a 148-bedroom extension to the east wing.

The renovation works which have already begun focus on the main tower and west wing of the castle, including the £300,000 restoration of a stained glass window in the castle’s Baron’s Hall.

Eric Strickland, principal at Mckenzie Strickland Associates, said: “There are few places so inherently Scottish and unique as Taymouth Castle; it encapsulates everything a tourist imagines Scotland is. It’s called Highland Perthshire for a reason, it feels like the Highlands even if it isn’t.

“Kenmore has the hills and lochs, as well as this unique and important piece of UK neo-gothic architecture.”