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— Center of the Golfing Universe —

–Taymouth Castle–

Historic Course on Historic Grounds
Kenmore, Perthshire, Scotland


             THE 13TH GREEN AT TAYMOUTH CASTLE

Length & Par: 
    Championship Tees: Par 69, 6248 yards

Greens Fees per ROUND: £45 and up

Tee-Times Required

LOCATION: 22 Farragon Drive, Kenmore, Perthshire.
    On the east end of Loch Tay where the River Tay emerges.
    About 14 miles east of Killin, and 6 miles west of Aberfeldy.

Bookings: TEL: 011 44 (0)1887 830228
                FAX: 011 44 (0)1887 830765

Minimum Handicap Required: NONE

Nearest HOME AT FIRST lodgings:
    Killin, Scottish Central Highlands
    More information about HOME AT FIRST's SCOTLAND CENTRAL HIGHLANDS travel program.

        Human habitation has existed where the River Tay emerges from Loch Tay for many centuries. Prehistoric stone circles and lake dwelling sites are still found here. In tiny, thatched Fortingal just north of the river, Pontius Pilate is said to have been born.

        Here on the fertile bottom land at the eastern edge of the Central Highlands the Earl of Breadalbane built his castle, where the crops would grow, where the salmon would run, and where the deer would come. The Taymouth Castle became the estate house of the powerful Campbells of Breadalbane (Central Highlands). At its peak the half-million-acre Breadalbane estate reached all the way to the west coast.

                                                                                                  LOCH TAY  
                                                                                                                Photo copyright © HOME AT FIRST

        The current castle dates from the 1800’s, on a site of former castles from medieval times. No less a visitor than Queen Victoria herself stayed at the castle. But by the 20^th century the castle and its grounds no longer were controlled by the Clan Campbell. The castle became a hotel, and then a convalescent home, a training center, and even a school for American children. The Castle has become a hotel again. Guests come to fish huge salmon out of the Tay, to walk the splendid Highlands, to climb Ben Lawers and Shehallion, and, especially, to play golf.

        In 1923, the deer park became a golf course. The five-time British Open champion, James Braid, was commissioned to create a course for the recreation of the guests.

        Taymouth Castle Golf Club offers absolutely stunning views in every direction. It is a fairly flat, well maintained parkland course with a variety of challenges but not too difficult for the new golfer. Braid's policy of leading a player gently into the arena before testing them holds true here with two short par 4's, a longer one then a delightful Par 3 at the 4th.

         Braid won five British Opens by his 40th birthday, retired two years later (1912) and began a second career as golf course architect. He worked on about 200 courses, many of which rank with the best in Scotland, including Carnoustie, Gleneagles (King’s and Queen's), and Blairgowrie (Rosemount). His courses attempt to meld into stunning natural sites, and are usually as pleasing to see as they are challenging to play. He also contributed mightily to the renovations of many of the great courses of the British Isles, including Royal Troon, Nairn, Ballybunion, Prestwick, and Crieff.

THE 8TH FAIRWAY AGAINST A BACKDROP OF BEN LAWERS

        The British Isles, of course, are best known for their coastal links courses, but Braid’s best work may well have been to fashion superb inland courses. Taymouth Castle, not far from Crieff, Blairgowrie, and Gleneagles, shares the great scenery of east central Scotland with these better-known courses. While his inland courses are not long, they all offer real challenge, thanks in part to course innovations credited to Braid—dogleg fairway and deep pot bunkers. Braid’s old school work may lack the gimmicks and spectacle of modern course design, but a Braid course played in bad weather offers "a real test of golf", and played in sunny, warm, still conditions offers a real taste of the beauty of Scotland.

      THE 7TH AT BRAID'S TAYMOUTH CASTLE COURSE:
          POT BUNKERS, DOGLEGS, NATURAL BEAUTY

        On the strength of his five open championships and his building courses that take scenic advantage of their natural settings, Braid deserves his prominent place in golf history. On the strength of its being a representative James Braid Scottish inland course, Taymouth Castle deserves a visit when you next come to Scotland.

Want to learn about other courses throughout the British Isles
including some of the greatest tests of golf in the world?
See our SCOTLAND, IRELAND, ENGLAND, and WALES Course Guides for more information.