Talks are ongoing to breathe new life into a troubled Highland Perthshire development, it has been revealed.
There has been uncertainty over the future of Taymouth Castle since a second attempt to transform it into a luxury hotel foundered.
Reports emerged that the A-listed building is on the verge of being sold as part of a multi-million-pound deal.
Although owner London-based investment company Meteor Asset Management confirmed discussions were ongoing, it denied reports that a bid had been made by US internet giant Google.
It was rumoured that the technology group was going to transform the historic building into a recuperation and conference centre for senior executives and that paperwork would be signed within weeks to ensure the ambitious conversion was completed in time for the Ryder Cup.
Gallery: Taymouth Castle
Graham Devile, managing director of Meteor Asset Management, told The Courier there was no truth in the claims.
He said: “There are discussions ongoing with various different parties about the future of Taymouth but Google is definitely not one of them.
“We can’t comment on who are we talking to but we can confirm that we are not talking with Google.”
A spokesman for Google UK also denied that the firm was involved in any deal concerning Taymouth Castle and Estate, near Kenmore.
Over the last two years Meteor Asset Management has ploughed £20 million into the preliminary stages of creating a six-star hotel, boasting 150 rooms with lodges, a health spa, tennis courts, equestrian centre and a golf course designed by James Braid.