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.

In and around Beith, a small town in North Ayrshire Scotland, you will find many interesting landmarks with a long and interesting history. Here is a few locations you may want to add to your travel itinerary:

The Beith Moot Hill (also known as “Court Hill”) – is located a short drive away from Hill of Beith, Gateside. It is the spot on which the leader of the Tironensian monastic community, Abbot of Kilwinning, often administered justice to his tenants and vassals.

Speir’s School – is located on Barmill Road close to the Marshalland Farm. It was established Mrs Margaret Speir in 1887 to commemorate her son John Speir, who had deceased at the tender age of twenty-eight. The school began as a fee paying boarding and day school, integrated to the county’s education system in 1930′s. After the construction of Garnock Academy, it was immediately closed in 1973 and all buildings were pulled down in 1984. The 65,000 m2 (16 acres) of gardens and woodlands remain a popular spot for bird watchers, dog walkers, and those who enjoy the rural scenery.

Geilsland House – a writer and bank agent, William Fulton Love, constructed Geilsland House and established this small estate very close to the Gateside in the 19th century. Geilsland House is run by the Church of Scotland and considered as a special school. It is located next to Speir’s school grounds, separated by the Geilsland Road.

Beith’s Townhouse – was constructed and run by the Church of Scotland; the lower part of the Townhouse previously consisted of two small shops, one of them was an ironmonger ran by George B Inglis from 1862 to early 20th century. You will also find a small room where captives were held before they appear in the JP court, which was located in the upper hall, the court was also often used as the public meeting room.

Scapa Cottage (also known as Dummy Cottage), the whole exterior of the sandstone building has indentation marks giving it a most peculiar appearance; in its earlier years it was used as a Toll House. A deaf-mute young man stayed in the cottage many years ago, hence it acquired the name “Dummy Cottage”, a politically and morally unacceptable term nowadays.

Crummock House – this estate and mansion house stood on the fringes of Beith in a location now cut through by a main road from Dalry to Glasgow, sadly, it had been demolished. James Dobie and his family resided here in the 19th century. He was an author and historian. A cottage and some boundary walls still remain.