Traditional Scottish Wedding

Our story started with a sense of love and appreciation when we bought what was formerly known as Dunbar Methodist Church in December 2019. Ewan is an architect with a love of historic buildings and an understanding of the importance of local history while Fiona, with a career in lecturing in Health & Social Care behind her, is very much a lover of people. Given this little building’s historic significance as the oldest Methodist Church in Scotland (dating from 1764), we wanted to restore it, breathe new life into it, and make sure it remained part of the community for generations to come.

The restoration required careful thought and consideration to ensure that the unique atmosphere was maintained whilst making sure that everything you would expect from a brand new venue was incorporated, including full accessibility throughout the building, a flexible function space, a beautiful reception bar, comfortable central heating, classy toilets, a brand new catering kitchen and a state of the art PA system.

The stained glass windows and the pulpit have their own unique story to tell. They are both documented as being gifted to the chapel when it was renovated in 1890 by a benefactor who had purchased them from the renovation of St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh in the 1880s. The windows are believed to have been crafted by master craftsmen of their time, James Ballantine & Son, and in our recent renovation they were carefully removed, taken apart, each piece of glass was lovingly cleaned and each window was reconstructed to brilliant effect by the dedicated family of Rainbow Glass in Prestwick, also considered master craftspeople of their time.

The original church space remains intact as a unique flexible function space with a contemporary twist, the original tiled floor remains in the entrance hall, the historic balcony and oak scallop shell pulpit remain a central focus, delicate glass shades continue to shine light and natural stone work has been gently stripped back and left uncovered.

Everything that was removed, created, or reinstated was done so with care. The prestigious organ pipes have been gilded and are back in situ, the old church pews are mobile and can be arranged for ceremonies, banquets or more informal seating, ancient pine floorboards have been incorporated into banqueting tables, wooden organ pipes have been redesigned as wall lights and so it goes on. The church hall has become our Reception Bar, which now has a timeless elegance with a well-curated bar and an atmosphere just waiting for your celebrations. The garden to the front is where you arrive and is a perfect place for photographs, socialising and for a drink as the sun goes down with a view of the harbour and sea.

So here we now are with an aisle to walk down and a place to take your vows and our story continues with a sense of love and appreciation. For all that it was, for all that it is, for all who have helped and for all the beautiful people like Lucy and Richard and Chloe and Ashleigh, who come through our doors to celebrate their love for each other. This is a beautiful place but it is defined by the people who pass through it. You will forever be a part of it…