Husband and wife team Peter and Pauline McNamara join the expanded team from Ayr-based Lockharts Law as director and head of the Ayr office and executry paralegal respectively.

The acquisition sees Holmes Mackillop relocate its Prestwick office into D&J Dunlop’s premises at 2 Barns Street, Ayr, from where it continues to serve new and existing Ayrshire clients.

A specialist in commercial and rural property, with a wealth of experience in housebuilding, agriculture, renewable energy and leasing transactions, Peter McNamara is STEP-qualified and a member of the Association of Tax Technicians and the Chartered Institute of Taxation.

Pauline McNamara is also experienced in preparing wills and powers of attorney. Both will be based in the Ayr office full time.

“Both Pauline and myself are looking forward to continuing to serve the clients of D&J Dunlop in the same professional and helpful manner that they are already accustomed to, and to bringing the wealth of experience and expertise offered by Holmes Mackillop to new and existing clients alike,” said Mr McNamara.

Holmes Mackillop director and head of corporate Ralph Riddiough said: “Holmes Mackillop has worked closely with Peter over many years, and he has been a loyal referrer of conflict and specialist work to the practice, including in relation to corporate, employment, family law and civil court matters.

“He will be an extremely safe pair of hands to head up the Ayr office and lead the property and private client teams, as well as creating work for other specialists as we seek to grow the practice in Ayr.”