Vast retirement village and care home in South Lanarkshire saved in move that secures 97 jobs

After three years in administration, Auchlochan Garden Village in Lesmahagow, South Lanarkshire, has been acquired by property and care home operator The Argyll Group.

The retirement village, which is home to 245 residents and employs 97 staff, was previously operated by the charity MHA Auchlochan and entered administration in 2023.

The 50-acre site comprises 235 apartments and cottages and a 78-bed care home, offering residents different options based on their preferences and needs. Almost 50 per cent of the 235 properties on the estate are privately owned, while The Argyll Group will now own the other half to lease or sell. The 50 per cent of the properties now owned by The Argyll Group are currently occupied with lease agreements.

The Argyll Group, which has more than 30 years’ experience within the property and care sector, previously purchased nearby Bankhouse Care Home in 2024, also formerly owned by MHA Auchlochan.

Under the new ownership, future investment plans will focus on improvements to onsite amenities including the bistro restaurant, walled garden and greenhouses, event spaces, communal areas and beauty and wellness salons.

The 78-bed Lower Johnshill Care Home, located at the heart of the estate, currently provides care to 65 residents. As part of the sale, the care home will be renamed Auchlochan House Care Home.

The estate has been operated by Blair Milne, James Fennessey and Robert Young, partners with accountancy firm Azets, following their appointment as joint administrators of MHA Auchlochan in 2023.

William McDonald, founding director of The Argyll Group, said: “Auchlochan Garden Village has been an incredibly important part of the local community for many years, and we are proud to secure its future for residents, families and staff.

“From the moment we visited the estate, we met homeowners and residents who told us how much they wished they had chosen Auchlochan as their home sooner and we too instantly recognised what a special place it is. It’s a terrific privilege to be the custodian of this quite magical place for the years ahead.”