New taxidermy for castle

Holding one of the three new deer heads which have been hung in the Larnach Castle ballroom is managing director Norcombe Barker.

The heads were bought at an auction about two years ago, he said.

They were much larger than the old heads and some of the walls had to be reinforced to handle the weight.

The old heads had hung in the ballroom for at least 70 years and had seen all manner of events, but the new ones fitted the room better, Mr Barker said.

The old heads would probably be sold.

The new heads were three species: a wapiti from Fiordland, a wapiti from Canada and a red deer of unknown heritage.

The castle would reopen for business today.