Twenty years ago today, we first walked through the doors of Lamlash House while it was still on the market. It was a very different building then, with the bank still operating on the ground floor and what had been the Bank Manager’s house above. Within just a few days of that first visit, we had submitted an offer. At the time, neither of us could have imagined just how much that single decision would come to shape the next two decades of our lives.

From the outset, Lamlash House felt special. Its Victorian character, distinctive architecture and position within the heart of Newmilns gave it a quiet sense of importance, as though it had many stories still waiting to be told. Over the years, those stories have steadily unfolded. There have been times of careful restoration, moments of exciting progress, and long stretches of patience as we navigated the realities of owning and caring for a Category-B-listed building. Along the way there have also been challenges — bureaucratic, financial and practical — that tested both our resolve and our resilience.

Yet through all of this, Lamlash House has been gently and thoughtfully re-imagined. What once served as a bank has become a place of hospitality, gathering and celebration. The building has evolved, but its character has never been lost. Instead, its heritage has been woven into everything it has become, allowing it to serve a new purpose while still honouring its past.

Today, Lamlash House stands not just as a historic property, but as a living example of what can be achieved when heritage, community and purpose come together. It has hosted countless moments of joy — from afternoon teas and milestone birthdays to weddings, community events and quiet conversations over tea. Each one has added another layer to the story of this remarkable house.

As we mark twenty years since that first visit, we do so with deep gratitude. To our family, our friends, our neighbours and the many guests who have passed through our doors — thank you for being part of this journey. Your support, enthusiasm and belief in what Lamlash House could be have helped shape it into what it is today.

Here’s to the past twenty years, and to the many stories still waiting to be written within these walls

Two Decades at Lamlash House: How a Victorian House Found New Life

LAMLASH HOUSE