Geilsland House was constructed in 1874 on an area originally known as ‘Jeelsland’ and even earlier as ‘Neilsland’. The house was built to the order of a writer and bank agent in Beith named William Fulton Love and was described by many people as a fine-looking gothic styled villa, enclosed by five acres of manicured land.

The Love family were respected members of the local community and Geilsland often became the place of parties for the rich. Over time, it had 3 additional owners, with the McCombe family being the last. They had significant involvement in the Glasgow market, especially in fruit trade. Later in life as Mr. McCombe developed health issues, he lived frequently in a summer mansion which he had constructed in the grounds.

Geilsland House boasted a grand spiral staircase that led to the quarters for servants. The house hosted a good deal of social events and was the spot for musical plays where recitals were held around a grand piano located in the withdrawing room. This room later become the school office.

The school headmaster’s office was originally the dining room, and the breakfast room was similarly used. The house had hooks and, pantries and larders, from which game hung. The nanny that was hired to help with the children resided in what is now the mid-landing flat.

The Geilsland house was purchased by the Church of Scotland Social and Moral Welfare Board in 1964. The aim was for it to become the Approved School for Senior Boys; boys 14 years and older. The school was officially established on July 1, 1964.

From the onset, it was planned that Geilsland house would develop and extend itself physically using the pupils and the staff. The grounds, which have two old cottages, a mansion house, an old barn, an open packing shed, a few run down stables and broken concrete greenhouses were all in dilapidated state.

The nearby Millport Chapel was formally opened in September 1976 and it constitutes some of the finest works completed by the staff/pupils team. It has a rectangular shell of a barn and stable that represents the work of all existing trade departments – joinery, building, engineering, carpentry, electrical, decorating and painting. The pews were fashioned from unused choir stalls of the East Church, which also furnished parts for the pulpit, curtains, the pulpit light and the side shelves.