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Taymouth Castle, Perth and Kinross
This shows the Chinese Drawing Room, one of the main state rooms which were located on the first floor of the main block. The décor of this room was designed to create a feeling of comfort and also to show the status and distinguished cultural tastes of the family. The ladies would retire to this room after dinner and drink tea or coffee prepared by the housekeeper. Francis Bernasconi modelled the plasterwork in the castle between 1809 and 1812 and John Gregory Crace painted the ornate ceiling in this room in a style influenced by late medieval manuscript illuminations.

Taymouth Castle was built for the Campbells of Breadalbane and stands on the site of Balloch Castle, which was built c.1550. Taymouth's main block, built between 1802 and 1810, was designed by James Elliot (1770-1810) and the east wing, built between 1818 and 1821, was designed by William Atkinson (c.1773-1839). The west pavilion, built in the early 18th century, was designed by William Adam (1689-1748) and was altered by James Gillespie Graham (1777-1855). The castle was visited by Queen Victoria in 1842. This photograph was taken in 1997.

Ceiling of the Chinese ante-room, Taymouth Castle, photographed in 1997.

Taymouth Castle, photographed in 1997.

Elevation of Taymouth Castle, drawn April 1856.