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Modern touches are in tune with Victorian features at Ayrshire villa, discovers Kirsty Mcluckie

Hapland House is a traditional detached villa that sits in an idyllic position on the outskirts of the Ayrshire conservation village of Dunlop.

Set in mature garden grounds to give privacy, it is a sizeable property, currently laid out as three bedrooms and five public rooms.

It is owned by Kevin Bree and his wife, the celebrated Gaelic singer and activist, Anne Lorne Gillies, and its size and shape was instrumental to them when they bought it 17 years ago.

Anne says: “Most of our work is done from home, so we needed a good sized room for a grand piano, plus an office each.”

There is also a sitting room, dining room and a breakfast room adjoining the kitchen.

The house was built around 1850 by the owner of the adjacent Hapland Mill, and extended in 1908 by the addition of four extra rooms, including a utility room and the elegant drawing-room which is perfect for entertaining.

Anne grew up in a croft in Argyll, but had previously lived in Pollokshields in Glasgow when the couple decided it was time to look for a home in the country.

She says: “I was actually on the way to a gig with Jimmy Logan when we saw the house for sale and called in to have a look.

“We were immediately hooked, although it needed work we saw it as a blank canvas with lots of original features.”

A full structural survey revealed the extent of the work needed, but Anne says: “Although it was a bit of a state, it is a magical house and we went in with our eyes absolutely open to what was needed.”

Kevin is an engineer, originally from Sligo and the couple had a joiner friend, John Mcgrory from Donegal – who Anne describes as a bit of a wizard – to help them restore the property.

She says: “He basically moved in with us as we worked our way through the house, restoring the period features such as the beautiful fireplaces and installing the kitchen.”

With the interior decor they have stayed remarkably true to its era, influenced by her parent’s croft just outside Oban which was simply decorated.

Anne is also an honorary fellow of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland and has served on the board of its architectural awards, so has an interest in period properties.

She says: “I have also performed in many impressive buildings, from concert halls, churches and village halls and all of these have influenced my take on the interior of the house.

“Mostly though, it is the house itself which gives you an innate feeling of what will work.”

They have let the Victorian features of Hapland House have centre stage – there is beautiful wood panelling in the drawing room and the ornate mantelpieces in almost every room, while the bathrooms sport coloured glass panels.

Original stained glass graces some of the windows and the bedrooms upstairs have coombed ceilings and Victorian furniture.

While much of the decoration is traditional, the house has been upgraded to suit modern life.

Discreet solar panels will provide income until 2036, there is a heat recovery system in the loft and the house is double glazed throughout, so it is a real combination of contemporary convenience and traditional Scottish charm.

It has also played host to the couple’s 13 grandchildren, aged from 22 down to under a year, who have visited from all over the world during the couple’s tenure.

They have particularly enjoyed the garden which is laid out for ease of maintenance and to provide screening from neighbouring homes.

Anne says: “Neither of us are gardeners particularly, but it is a good sized garden and will suit someone who is a little more green fingered.”

In Anne and Kevin’s time here the house has resounded to the sound of beautiful music and been central to the couple’s work in promoting Gaelic language and culture.

With some of their family returning to the UK to be based in Glasgow, it is now time for the couple to move closer and lend a hand, but Anne says: “We’ll miss the house very much, particularly the neighbours who have become such good friends.” Hapland House, 33 Stewarton Road, Dunlop, Ayrshire is a fine detached Victorian home. With eight principal rooms, it offers flexibility of accommodation. Original features include stained glass, panelling and stunning fireplaces and mantles. Good sized gardens with plenty of parking. Dunlop is 45 minutes from Glasgow with a railway station close by.