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Kenmore Hotel
The Square
Kenmore
PH15 2NU

Opening Hours
Breakfast: 0800 - 1000
Lunch: 1000 - 1800
Dinner: 1800 - 2145

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Telephone:
01887 830 205
Fax:
01887 830 262
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Taymouth Castletales

The Kenmore Hotel

Kenmore HotelThe Kenmore Hotel and the surrounding area are steeped in Scottish history. The hotel is a listed building and the village is a conservation village, both being preserved through time. The hotel and the village of Kenmore will always be linked to Taymouth Castle, if not through ownership then through historical fact.

Scotland's Oldest Inn was established on the 3rd of November 1572. On that day Sir Colin Campbell of Breadalbane granted a lease to his servant How Hay and his wife Christian Stanes "an honest hostelrie" which should at all times have sufficient ale, bread and other provisions. How Hay was granted the lease because the point where the river Tay leaves the loch was an important crossing point. Accommodation and refreshments for travelers were often required.
The building was impressive compared to the standards of the period, and fast made a reputation for being one of Scotland's finest inns.

With the advent of Archie's 1572 Wee Feastie Bar Menu all clan war was forgotten. Feuding Chieftains sat side-by-side enjoying a cooked to order Highland Feastie with chips. When appetites for food had been satisfied, appetites for Clan War were once more resumed. On the Gallows Hill of Tom-Na-Croiche, within the shadow of the Kenmore gate, many a condemned clansman asked for a final takeaway Feastie from Archie's Wee Bar Menu.

In the 17th Century, Cromwell's army marched past the front door of the Kenmore Hotel in pursuit of the Earl of Montrose. As the smell of Musket Shot drifted through the village square, the roundhead officers tucked into Archie's Wee Bar Feastie Menu. Praise was forthcoming and so the Kenmore hotel was spared the terrible torching and destruction that took place from Kenmore to Glen Lyon and beyond.

The "model" village of Kenmore was built around the hotel in 1760. At that time the church was erected, replacing the one at Inchadney so confirming the growing settlement as the center of local activity. Few years later the bridge across the river Tay was built and the village, as we know it today, was laid out in the 18th century by the 3rd Earl of Breadalbane.

In 1842 Queen Victoria and Prince Albert celebrated their Honeymoon at Taymouth Castle. During their memorable stay, they too were reputed to have sampled Archie's Wee Bar Feastie Menu and found it much to their liking.

The last Earl sold what remained of the Breadalbane Estate in 1922. The hotel was sold along with the remainder of the estate to the Mactaggart family. In December 1992 the hotel parted company with the rest of the estate, now known as Taymouth estates. In December 1998 when the current owners took over they started a massive refurbishment program which covered every bedroom, function suites and made new additions: The Taymouth Restaurant and Boars Head Bar. Scotland's Oldest Inn has survived through the centuries and will thrive into the new millennium. The hotel situated in the heart of the Scottish Highlands is still famous for its warmth, charm and highland hospitality. The beautiful setting, and historical character offer a touch of paradise that has been unspoiled by time.

For more information on the area please access the local village site.

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