Wayne Rooney’s favourite Angus castle once touted as Taylor Swift des res bids for function suite extension

Owners of an Angus castle which hosted a family christening for footballer Wayne Rooney have made a bid to extend the luxury event venue.

Spectacular Kinnettles Castle, a few miles from Forfar welcomed England star Rooney and his wife, Coleen in 2010 after they chose Angus as the location for the baptism of son, Kai.

The turreted 19th Century property, which also sits close to Angus’s most popular tourist attraction of Glamis Castle, was also previously touted as a potential des res for songstress Taylor Swift when she was rumoured to be looking for a Scottish bolt-hole with one-time DJ boyfriend Calvin Harris.

It is positioned on land which became the Kinnettles baronial estate after the gift of a large tract of ground by King Robert III in the early 14th century.

Work on the structure which stands today began in the 1860s and the property remained in private hands until becoming a training centre for a utilities sales group.

Sold in 2016 after being marketed with a price tag of £2.5 million, the venue is now the subject of a proposal lodged with Angus planners to create a function suite and spa in an expansion of facilities provided by a temporary marquee,  permission for which will expire in 2022.

The applicant’s agent has said the aim is to create a “high quality contemporary extension” in place of the marquee.

“Kinnettles Castle has become a popular events location and a desirable wedding venue,” they add.

“The hotel together with a recently converted stable block offers the required number of rooms for its guests, but the current lounge area together with the marquee is too small for the events at the castle which can be attended by up to 200 guests.”

Angus planners will consider the application in due course.