Review of the Year: 2020

Well, what a rollercoaster year we have had at Lamlash House. Not quite the one we expected and had planned for the 130th anniversary of the House. If only we had 20/20 vision and could have anticipated all the ups and downs!

Having said that, in January, we were pleased to have had the Mitchell family to dinner, it being 113 years since descendants of the family who built Lamlash House had dined in the Parlour.

Later in the month, we enjoyed a Taste of Burns with guest chef Paul Moffat and music provided by singer/songwriter Moira Kerr. In February, Storms Ciara and Dennis visited and it took the best part of 10 months to recover from the damage which they caused to the roof. We still continued with performances from Route 71 Jazz Band and in March we hosted small private functions and Afternoon Teas including a group of ladies from St Andrews and St Marnocks Parish Church in Kilmarnock just before the Spring lockdown.   

During the periods of closure, we sanded, painted, scaffolded, repaired, modified, gardened, planted, re-arranged, shelved, tiled, cleaned, polished, power-washed, zoomed and planned for a post-lockdown future which included the socially distanced Walled Garden events in the Summer with chefs Stephane and Laurent, the 1901 Garden Party as part of a Millers & Merchants Tour in association with That Co., private birthday, anniversary and retirement functions, not to mention the remarkable gin-infused tasting menu in October with guest chef Paul Moffat in association with the Isle of Harris Distillery which was attended by Iona Cairns, Brand Ambassador. Lamlash House, Newmilns continues to be the only location in East and South Ayrshire where Isle of Harris Gin can be uplifted on a Click & Collect basis.

Sadly, several public and private functions including weddings, birthdays and christenings were postponed in 2020 and all of the Festive Season events were cancelled due to the current restrictions. However, we are grateful for the huge support we have received on social media during very anxious times in 2020 but we remain hopeful for a brighter and more certain year in 2021 and look forward to welcoming guests back to Lamlash House when it is safe to do so.

In the meantime, have a pleasant time over what will be a very quiet and different New Year period.

Johnathan & Gordon

Lamlash House