A series of special events during 2026 will mark a century-and-a-half of Lockharts Law, whose history can be traced to a humble room in Ayr’s Wellington Square when John Lockhart began representing the official business of Victorian townsfolk.

Four generations on, Lockharts is still looking after the important matters in peoples’ lives. Peter Lockhart, now a consulting partner, said the firm was keen to mark the significant milestone of continued service since 1876.

He said: “The times certainly have been changing, and we have always been at the forefront of helping people navigate the legal world. When my great grandfather John started all this, he used to reach his candle-lit office by horse and cart. I think that history makes everyone in this family firm proud of the past while we take care of clients’ futures.

“One hundred and fifty years is a real achievement, and we are determined to celebrate this heritage. My son Alasdair helps the business on design and branding and created the 150th anniversary logo.”

Plans include anniversary events, sponsorship and a fundraising drive to raise money for Ayrshire charities.

Though the firm has invested in digital technology, it has kept a traditional ethos and promotes ‘old fashioned’ values. 

Managing partner Stephen Bradford said: “Once we get the deal done, we always thank our clients. It seems obvious, but we value them and the business they bring.

“That is one of the keys to our longevity. We are a people business, and we like people. Providing great service is not being stuck in a phone queue while a recorded voice tells you ‘thank you for your patience, your call is important to us.’

“We have plans to mark our 150th birthday with special events over the next 12 months and all the staff will be involved.”

In 2022 the firm was crowned High Street Firm of the Year in the Law Awards of Scotland run by The Herald. Many of today’s Ayrshire law firms have partners and staff who at one stage in their careers passed through the Lockharts stable.

Though the business is now anchored in Ayr, expansion in the 1970s and 80s saw offices in Kilmarnock, two in Irvine, Cumnock and Stranraer.

How it all began

When John Lockhart began offering legal services in 1876, he could nip inside Ayr Sheriff Court in under a minute.

The court itself was built 58 years earlier, conveniently placed in front of the town jail.

John also became the sheriff clerk, an honorary position back then, and criminal cases were held only on Tuesday and Thursdays. Thursday was also the day for the commissary and the small debt court sessions.

Ayrshire was a less busy county and in the year of the firm’s founding, the population was 217,000, 60 per cent less than today’s 366,000.

But it was booming thanks to the industrial revolution. Coal and ironstone mining, sandstone quarrying and limestone working helped boost railway expansion. In 1876 Ayrshire had 104 working collieries employing 13,000 and a burgeoning spinning and weaving industry as well as shipbuilding.

There is no record we can find of precisely when in 1876 that Lockharts opened for business in a small office in the grand Wellington Square terraces.

It was the start of a local legal dynasty and John’s sons William and George both became lawyers. They were supremely successful, George lived in Content House, where Ayr fire station is now housed, before moving to the countryside at Stair House.

By the 50th anniversary in 1926 the brothers were running John W&G Lockhart from Sandgate. Local press adverts showed the firm by this stage was offering a full legal service, including the purchase and sale of property.

Peter, who joined the firm in 1979, said: “George had three children, Howard MBE, who became a broadcaster on the BBC, my father Alan, who took over the firm and a daughter Mary.

“My father, who died in 1974, developed the business considerably and used to say “Lockharts of Ayr, clients everywhere”.

“In more recent times we switched to ‘Think Law, think Lockharts’ and I think keeping the name at the forefront has served us well.”

For many years 211 High Street was our headquarters, with 70 staff spread over the three floors. For a time, it would have been impossible to avoid a member of the Lockhart family – Alan’s ambition was to have all five of his sons to join the business. George, David, Neils, Christian and Peter all had different rolls. George became senior partner in 1976, Neils was partner of the new office in King Street, Kilmarnock, and Christian was running the estate agency.

David Lockhart, who died in 2020, was qualified in both law and accountancy and a successful business entrepreneur. He was the driving force behind the development of the Kyle Centre, and the main entrance was at 211 High Street.

Peter recalls: “Our High Street office was owned by the Clydesdale Bank, and a deal was struck in 1984 in which we bought Berkeley House in Barns Street. These grand premises were opened by Sir George Younger MP, the secretary of state for Scotland and defence minister.

“After nearly two decades we moved to Beresford Terrace in 2005, where we have continued to expand to this very day. While we have always looked to the future, I think our 150th anniversary is giving us a great excuse to delve into our past.”