……and yet another new member, Sinclair Williamson

Sinclair has been co-owner of Lochinver Guest House in Ayr, with his partner Berthold for the past 5 years, following a 15-year career with the National Trust for Scotland (NTS). Sinclair’s professional qualifications are in Horticulture. He studied at Auchincruive, and spent a year training in the gardens of Sir Elton John, partly designed by the late garden writer and designer Rosemary Verey. Later Sinclair became a garden designer with clients including interior designer Linda Reid, and a branch of the Collins publishing family. He has worked as Head Gardener at Cambo House and Kellie Castle, and later as Gardens Advisor for the NTS responsible for the North of Scotland (which included internationally renowned Inverewe Gardens) and had responsibility for coordinating all horticultural training programmes across the NTS including the Threave School of Gardening.

Sinclair moved onto commercial and conservation operations management of its historic buildings in addition to gardens for the NTS, eventually becoming Regional Manager for the South region with 22 historic properties and gardens from Fife to the Lothians and Scottish Borders. Sinclair’s desire to move back to the West Coast led him to his final post with the NTS as Property Manager at Culzean Castle, the flagship property in 2013, with overall responsibility for all commercial and conservation operations there, overseeing a team of 9 managers and 200 staff and volunteers. He retains a keen interest in the conservation of our heritage for people’s enjoyment and education. He is now also Chair of the Ayrshire B&B Association and a founding member, and Chair of the Scottish Guest House and B&B Alliance – both are voluntary positions where works to ensure stronger representation of others in the B&B/Guest House sector. He sees the Rotary as another important way to give back to our communities and help others.