The Avenel Estate
The original Avenel house was designed by Austen Laird, a well-known Kilmacolm architect, in 1928, on the ancient Lands of Knockbuckle.
In 1962 Avenel was acquired by Wallace Forrester who enlarged the estate 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 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, is 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The original Avenel house has been replaced by the larger Plot 1 house which is more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 maximise the light and sun flooding into each house. Views extend from each house, over its private garden of mature trees and shrubs.