Owners - A Potted History
Lonmay Old Manse is the 4th Scottish enterprise that Pam Hall and John Wood have embarked upon.
Before becoming involved in the hotel world John earned his living in the music industry as a recording engineer and record producer, working with artists ranging from Pink Floyd, Fairport Convention and Nick Drake to Squeeze.
Pam was brought up near Lambourn on the Wiltshire-Berkshire border, home of National Hunt racing, with a mother and grandfather heavily involved in this lifestyle. She used to breed, train and race her own horses and earnt her living by having guests to stay for riding holidays.
They began their association with the hospitality business in 1985 by opening a former shooting lodge in the wilds of Glen Cannich as a country house hotel. They then moved to gentler climes overlooking the Solway Firth in Dumfries and Galloway where they renovated a Georgian House. Both establishments achieved the highest accolades with the Scottish Tourist Board and the AA, culminating in 2 Red Stars for their accommodation with 3 Red Rosettes for John's excellent cooking.
Returning to the Scottish Highlands in 1997 John became involved in his original profession of recording and producing music, and Pam ran a farmhouse Bed and Breakfast just outside Inverness near the shores of Loch Ness.
In 2002 they learned that the Church of Scotland was selling The Old Manse at Lonmay and were drawn by the challenge of renovating this lovely old house. Since taking possession late in October 2002 until opening in April 2004, a comprehensive programme of refurbishment and upgrading has taken place.
Whilst renovating, many features from the original house were discovered, including the original granite surround for an old kitchen range which now sets off a modern 4 door Redfyre cooker.