Taymouth Development: "Phase 1 Completed"

The distress and alarm of those workers - many not English speakers - at suddenly being stood down and transported away from Taymouth, and already with weeks of unpaid wages due to them, was witnessed around the village.

A spokeswoman for the Taymouth Group Ltd said at the time: "Despite Taymouth Group Ltd paying Alcast in full for work done, it would appear that the company has not been in a position to pay its staff."

Watertight

This announcement of the completed phase came at a time when speculation and scepticism over the whole progress of the project was beginning to spiral locally. The abrupt and mysterious departure of the fronting figure for Hotels International, Michael Hall, had already occasioned brow-wrinkling in the community over the investment support for the enterprise. The contractor's woes only fuelled these and threatened to torpedo local confidence.

Getting the castle structure wind and water tight and ready for its internal refit (due to commence in two months tim) brings Taymouth's reputation managers some welcome relief. The inventory of works achieved to date appears below.

John French, director of Taymouth Group Ltd, said: “When we took over Taymouth estate, our priority was to make the castle wind and waterproof so that it was safe from the elements that have taken their toll on the Castle over the years. In addition, the area within the courtyard at the back of the castle, which had suffered serious deterioration and decay, has now been cleared ready for the building of a new North Wing later in the year.

“I am delighted to say that we have got to this stage two months ahead of schedule. Everyone involved at Taymouth is really pleased with the progress that has been made and we are enthusiastic about the next stages of work. We are now in the process of working with our consultants in order to move onto the refit, which we expect to take place in two months time, in line with our initial plans.”

Work on the site to date includes:

* The 300 windows of the castle have been repaired or restored;.

* Major repair and replacement of roof works has taken place; and

* The stone work of the castle has been repointed.

* The castle's seventy chimneys have been cleaned out

The stripping out work has been completed. This includes the ground floor, where the new Spike Bar will be located, as well as the upper floors.

Whilst this work has been carried out, the Principal Rooms have been secured and various items removed for safety and cleaning.