Business UNUSUAL: A team that leads with their hearts
We are a small but mighty team with our hearts set on sharing with you the most glorious hidden gem in this rural corner of Scotland: Dunskey, a 2000-acre estate by the sea, where world-class heritage meets modern splendour, surrounded by secret gardens and endless wonders.
Alastair Orr Ewing
Owner
Ali lived in Vietnam for 17 years working in real estate where he met Anne. He studied land economy at Aberdeen University and prefers to be outside rather than at a desk. His best friend is Beecher.
Ali is married with two children, Ava Lily and Atticus Lachlan.
Ali loves skiing, tennis and adventure.
Ali was a professional harmonica player.
Ali’s father and stepmother still live on the estate.
Anne Tristine Nguyen
Owner
ATN has worked mostly in governmental organizations and as an investment banker. She emigrated to the US from Vietnam when she was 10 years old, and then to Scotland when she was in her 30s.
ATN is married to Ali and has two children, Ava Lily and Atticus Lachlan.
The most ridiculous book ATN has ever read is Finnegans Wake. “Read” here means eyes have glazed over written words.
ATN would like to hike the Pacific Crest Trail before she’s an old coot.
Chloe Campbell
Operations Manager
Chloe previously worked as part of management in retail. Dunskey is her first dive into hospitality industry. Work has always been one of her biggest passions.
Family is the single most important thing to Chloe.
She has a keen passion for art. Drawing and creating has always been her favorite thing to do.
Chloe has always wanted to travel, to experience different places, cultures and meet new people.
Alan Sparrow
Head of Construction & Maintenance
Alan left school at 15 to become a football player, but two broken legs shortly thereafter meant a career as plumbing and heating engineer. Alan has worked for the Bank of England, universities and grand houses.
Andrea has been Alan’s rock and partner for nearly three decades.
Alan has two sons, Nathan and James, and a new grandson, Rowan.
Alan would love to hike the Southern Upland Way with his best friend Echo.
John McCreadie
Sous Chef
John has worked in the catering industry for over twenty years at many different institutions, including eight years at a Michelin kitchen and a Three-Rosette hotel.
John joined the team in spring 2022.
He is married with one child.
David Alexander
Head Chef
Dave’s first job in a kitchen was at Bay House then trainee chef at the North West Castle, and eventually head chef at Cally Palace. He was the sous chef Knockinaam Hotel Portpatrick and became executive chef Glenapp Castle. He has worked with Hywel Jones at Lucknam, Adam Byatt at Trinity Restaurant Clapham, Bruno Oger at La Villa Archange Cannes, and most recently Tom Kitchin from The Kitchin in Edinburgh.
Dave has been married to Susan for nearly three decades, with two sons, Blair and David, with one dog, Poppy.
Dave loves fishing, foraging, TV, and Star Wars!
He has a bucket list of restaurants to try including the Fat Duck, French Laundry, and Single Thread Farm.
Derek McMaster
Construction & Maintenance
Derek was born and raised in Stranraer and began an apprenticeship as a slating mason. Derek enjoys building Dunskey properties to the highest possible standards.
Derek has been married to Angela for over three decades, and has two children, Leanne and Craig, as well as a grandson, Aran and two granddaughters, Hannah and Ava.
Derek loves reading ancient, model and fictional history books.
He would love to travel to see the sun bears in Asia.
Lynda Hoad
Housekeeping Manager
Lynda is a Stranraer native and has worked at L’Aperitif from the age of 13, cleaning glasses, and worked her way up to a server. She is a fully qualified hairdresser and had her own salon. She loves working at Dunskey in housekeeping and service.
Lynda has three grown children plus a bright granddaughter.
She loves reading and knitting and frequently knits hats and blankets for premature baby wards.
Lynda would love to retire in the sun, such as Tuscany or Florence.
Steven Shann
Head Gardener
Born a Yorkshireman, Steven moved to Scotland, Aberdeenshire at 12 years old. Steven also started gardening at age 12 with his family.
Steven has been lucky enough to work and play in the countryside all his life.
Photography, fishing, bird watching, woodwork and carving are some of his hobbies.
Steven would love to visit other Scottish gardens of rhododendrons for inspiration to bring to Dunskey.
Kerri Campbell
Housekeeping Assistant
Kerri is a mum to a baby girl who’s very bright and makes her day. She has studied hairdressing and beauty and took a massive interest to the beauty side of things, especially massage. When not at Dunskey Kerri spends her time with her daughter Esmé and their new puppy Vinny.
Kerri loves going long walks and onto the beach.
She also enjoys turning her hands to decorating and doing new things to her house.
She truly adores tucking up at nights watching Netflix. Her favourites are thrillers and drama!
Julie Harrison
Housekeeping Assistant
Julie was born and raised in Warrington but has lived in Southwest Scotland for nearly 40 years. She has been married to Trevor, our bar manager, for 28 years. They have five children and 10 grandchildren.
A career change saw her enter hospitality as a housekeeper in several high-end hotels before joining the Dunskey team in 2023.
Any spare time she has is spent crafting, traveling, and trying new experiences such as sky-diving, scuba-diving, and sailing, although she is slowing down as she matures.
Andrea Sparrow
Front of House & Housekeeping Assistant
Andrea is a mother to two boys and a busy grandmother to a new baby boy, Rowan, who was born in 2023. She loves to have everything in its place.
Andrea loves watching TV, especially drama series.
Her ultimate dream is to go to New York and see all the famous landmarks and shops til she drops.
She has been married to Alan for nearly three decades.
Jane Smith
Office Manager
Originally from a village outside Glasglow, Jane worked in the motor trade for over 25 years before moving to Portpatrick in 2021 for a change of lifestyle. Jane has worked in customer service and housekeeping before starting at Dunskey in May 2023.
Jane lives with her partner John and their three springer spaniels, Lucas, Jorge and baby Reo.
Most of Jane’s spare time is taken up with walking the dogs, and especially loves the walks around Glencoe and Pitlochry and try to get there as often as possible
Jane enjoys reading thrillers and going out to socialise and listen to live music.
Andrew Mcleans
Junior Sous Chef
William Pirrie
Chef de Partie
William is a newcomer to the hospitality industry. He has discovered a passion for food and decided to study professional cookery at a local college and begin a career in catering.
William is a keen reader of sci-fi, fancy and horror novels.
In his spare time, he enjoys playing the guitar.
William would like to visit Japan, including cities such as Kyoto, Tokyo and Osaka.
Jim Barr
Assistant Gardener
Jim loves being outdoors and working on such a varied and splendid estate. The work is fulfilling and he is extremely satisfied to lookback on a job well done, knowing it has further developed or maintained the beauty of the estate.
Working closely with the head gardener, Jim has achieved many projects around the estate from cutting the hedge maze, preparing flower meadows, landscaping new areas and developing new paths.
Jim believes we’ve rejuvenated the grounds and look forward to many more exciting developments in the future.
Caitlin McKinstry
Housekeeping Assistant
Book Your Stay
The Dunskey team is excited to introduce a new platform for lodge booking. If you have any questions or need assistance during the booking process, please email us at hello@dunskey.com.
*Dunskey Estate currently accepts a minimum three-night stay throughout the year, with flexible check-in and check-out dates. During Christmas and New Year 2023, we have a seven-night minimum stay, with check-in and check-out dates as Wednesday December 20th, Wednesday December 7th, and Wednesday January 3rd.
Hands down the highlight of my family’s annual holidays, extensive beautiful countryside, the worlds most accommodating hosts, fabulous food, tasteful decor, the most comfortable rooms, and each and every upgrade year-on-year making it better and better. Can’t wait for the next….
Thank you for your interest in booking Dunskey Estate for your unforgettable Celebration!
One of our staff will be in touch with you as quickly as possible.
Dunskey Estate
Portpatrick, Stranraer
Scotland, UK
hello@staging.dunskey.com
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A Bespoke Approach to Gatherings of All Kinds
Doesn’t get better! Stunning location, amazing estate and property. The staff were friendly and accommodating. Without a doubt this is the best venue we’ve stayed at.
We had our wedding here last September and it was incredible! Everyone at Dunskey Estate was so helpful and friendly, and everything was so beautiful. It was a dream wedding, one our friends and family still talk about!