The Avenel Site
The original Avenel house was designed by Austen Laird, a well-known
Kilmacolm architect, in 1928, on the ancient Lands of Knockbuckle.
The early photograph above shows the house surrounded by rough grassland
with hardly a tree in sight.
The modern Avenel is now a superbly planned expanse of garden
and woodland, the product of one man’s enthusiasm and passion for
plants. Wallace Forrester acquired the estate in 1962 and began the
programme of planting specimen trees and shrubs which now give
year-round delight - from the luxuriant flowering of rhododendrons
and azaleas in spring to the rich green of Scots pine, Douglas fir and
holly in winter. In May, the woodland is carpeted with bluebells.
Wallace Forrester died in 2001 and his family realised that development
of the site, possibly on an intensive basis, could be a consequence of
its sale. To preserve the structure and elegance of the garden in which
they and his grandchildren had the privilege to grow up, they decided
to engage a professional team and undertake the development
themselves. Their father’s inspiration, and now his legacy, will be the
new Avenel.
The original Avenel house has been replaced by the larger Plot 1 house which is more
suited to modern living but, like each of these unique new homes, it
has been designed in the Arts and Crafts tradition of the first Avenel.
The generously-sized plots range from just over half-an-acre to in
excess of one acre. Each house has been carefully positioned to
ensure extensive screening by trees and natural contours from its
neighbours. Southern and westerly aspects will maximise the
light and sun flooding into each house. Views will extend from each
house, over its private garden of mature trees and shrubs.