The house, which used to be a traditional Scottish cottage,
was built in 1880 by Donnie's great grandfather who was a shipwright to trade. When he left the sea in 1861, he decided to settle in the area and set up a joinery business, which was run by Donnie until 2001. The land on which the house was built was given to him as a part payment of a debt for work done for a local gentleman.