1. 94 No.1 Issue 46
(Above) Robin grew up in this house. Irena and Robin added the extension to the Farm House three years ago and dramatically changed its
layout. (Right) Daughter Danni lives in Kenmore but gives children’s horseriding lessons from the estate’s stables
(Below) The living room leads on to this outdoor seating area, protected by the balcony above. Irena and Robin sit here in the evenings
enjoying a cup of tea and the clear night skies.
The
Kitchen
The kitchen is from Calum
Walker in Perth. It mixes wood
and metal to create a modern
look while remaining
sympathetic to the age of the
building it inhabits.
(Left) Irena picked up the picture overlooking
the dining table while on holiday in Bali
(Below) Irena insisted on keeping the Aga
when they remodelled the kitchen and now
uses it for most of her cooking

2. No.1 Issue 46 95
The Mains of Taymouth estate has been home to the Menzies family for generations and on
taking a look around this property it is clear to see why this is one family who are here to stay
I
f the old adage is true, and home really is where the
heart is, then there is no question that Kenmore
and the Mains of Taymouth is a true home and
the only place that Irena and Robin Menzies want
to live.
Nestled in the beautiful Perthshire countryside, the
Mains of Taymouth Estate sits next to the picturesque
village of Kenmore. Once belonging to the richest and
most powerful family in Scotland, Robin’s Great-great
Grandfather bought the extensive piece of land from
the Marquis of Breadalbane – who squandered the
family’s wealth on an extended gambling binge in
Monte Carlo. At first the land was used as a farm but
when it fell into Robin’s father’s hands in the 1960s, he
was one of the first to diversify and use his land for
other means. Robin explains, “My dad was a farmer
and was really the first one to instigate farm
diversification around here by renting out self-catering
accommodation and setting up the caravan park.
Everyone and their dog came up here for their holidays
– that was before Spain was invented!”
Robin and Irena now live in the same house that
Robin grew up in and have taken over the running of
the business, “We had lived in this house for ten years
and it was still Robin’s mum’s wallpaper on the walls
and her carpets on the floor. It was like she moved out
and we moved in”. Eventually the decision to add an
extension and renovate the property was taken out of
their hands, “When the porch at the back of the
building eventually fell down, we spent a few months
Information
Who:
Irena and Robin Menzies and
family
Where:
Mains of Taymouth Estate,
Kenmore, Perthshire
at home with…

3. 96 No.1 Issue 46
The house had its first
brush with fame when it
hit our screens in
Monarch of the Glen
living in the other cottages while it was being rebuilt.
But the more the builder got into it, the more he
discovered broken joists and beams. So what we
thought was just going to be an extension and a
revamp in the kitchen, ended up going into the upstairs
and redoing everything else.”
The large extension that has been added on to the
house has left it almost unrecognisable from the house
of Robin’s childhood. Irena remembers that what used
to be Robin’s sister’s room is now her son’s en suite
bathroom.
The Menzies have taken the five-bedroom farm
house and turned it into a home that is not far off the
five-star lodges that surround it. Each room is en suite
and in the evenings, the only place to relax is in the
garden in the hot tub or on the deck, “We have tea out
here just about every evening,” says Robin. “There is
no light pollution so the stars shine quite brightly, which
is nice”. For a man who has lived in the area all his life,
Robin is far from jaded and still appreciates its beauty.
Robin does most of the planning and design of the
properties himself, as well as some of the practical
work, “When you do it yourself, you can kind of make
changes and think, ‘Let’s move the window there or
‘Let’s not put the door there’. Especially the golf course
because all I had was a digger and myself. I just had to
make it out of the ground that was there really”.
And while the estate as a whole remains an ongoing
project, the five-star lodges that are finished are all
testament to Irena’s good taste. She has designed and
sourced the décor for all the properties, including her
own. Trying to use local suppliers as much as possible,
Irena’s house is an eclectic mix of styles. Warm leather
together with deer skins scattered over the sofa remind
you that you are in the Highlands as does the
wood-burning stove. Although this is one thing that
Irena would perhaps do differently next time around
and opt for a back-to-back version, similar to the ones
that she has used in her rental properties.
On the walls, Irena’s love affair with the area is
illustrated by framed maps, dating back to Robin’s Great
Grandfather and scrawled with notes belonging to him
and the following generations of Menzies men.
Nowadays, the maps are used by Irena and Robin as
inspiration when naming their developments. The wall
opposite bears a picture of a ship, steaming its way
through the waters of Loch Tay, no doubt bringing coal
to the castle and the surrounding villages. Even when in
their own home, Irena and Robin want to be reminded
of the amazing scenery and history that surrounds
them.
Upstairs, the extension has added a large master
bedroom to the property. Elegantly decorated in black
and white, the bedroom leads on to a balcony offering
stunning views over the valley and the perfect place for
the couple to enjoy a glass of wine in the evening. The
stylish en suite comprises a bath and shower – with
body jets for that added bit of luxury that really comes
as standard.
Deer skins scattered over the
sofa remind you that you are
in the Highlands as does the
wood-burning stove

4. No.1 Issue 46 97
(Above left to right) The wood-burning stove supplements the heat provided by the under-floor heating that runs
throughout the house; family photographs decorate the living space. (Left) Irena has used leather and a simple pallet
of colours to create a warm and contemporary living room. (Below left to right) Irena chose a simple suite for the
downstairs toilet; Irena found the leather chest in Glasgow, the picture on the wall is of The Queen of the Lake
Irena’s
favourite piece
Irena picked up this armchair and footstool
years ago, “I’m really proud of this chair
because it was a real bargain. I couldn’t
afford the stool at the time but because I
bought the chair, I went in two weeks later
and there was the stool, really knocked
down. I snapped it up straight away.”

5. 98 No.1 Issue 46
(Above) A monochrome colour
scheme creates a sleek look
(Below) The master en suite is
a wet room with a power
shower with body jets
(Below right) Irena uses simple
suites in all her bathrooms

6. No.1 Issue 46 99
(Above) Five-star luxury can be
seen in Irena and Robin’s own
house and throughout the estate
(Below) The couple enjoy quiet
evenings at the secluded Hobbit
House
The Hobbit House
The Hobbit House was built by a Finnish
company. The surrounding seats open up to
reveal fold down beds. With the fire burning, it is
a cosy and comfortable place to spend the night
Irena is from the local area as well and went to
primary school with Robin – they later got together
at university – and their love affair with the area has
been going on just as long. It’s the butterfly-inducing
views over Loch Tay that have stolen Irena’s heart
and have meant that neither her nor Robin have
any problem with both living and working on the
estate. Although, as Robin points out, it’s nice to get
away once in a while, “I do a bit of fishing and
golfing and walking but not a lot really. We go on
holiday a lot as you’re really tied here seven days a
week. If you really want to get away and relax and
switch off then you need to go away. It’s a great
part of the world to live in but you do need to
escape once in a while”.
But escapism is always just around the corner at
this estate. Head down to the river and you will find
the Hobbit house. With an open fire in the middle
for cooking and heating, as Irena points out, all you
need is your food and you have got the makings of
a magical and cosy evening in the Perthshire
countryside. Situated in a secluded spot next to the
river, the Hobbit House is the perfect base for
fishing, or just relaxing with a good book and
listening to water meander past. When not being
used by guests, Irena and Robin take advantage of
the house as much as possible – it is one of their
favourite spots, “We just bring a blanket, our dinner
in a basket and sit outside – when we get the
chance”. Bliss.
For information on Mains of Taymouth, visit
www.taymouth.co.uk or phone 01887 830226
PICTURES: Victoria Sharpus-Jones WORDS: Katie McKenna