Alastair Dale | Partner

I fully qualified as a solicitor in 2004 having trained with a large commercial firm in Edinburgh. I returned to Ayrshire in 2006 to join the family law firm which has now evolved into Dales. I am one of the 3 Partners of Dales and I am involved in all aspects of the operation of the Firm. I have a varied and interesting workload which majors on purchases and sales of farms and rural properties, renewable energy projects (predominantly for landowners), and succession planning for businesses.

My main pastime is playing rugby which I still (arguably) manage to do of a Saturday. I also love the great outdoors and can often be found attempting to get to the top of a hill, skiing or mountain biking. I also enjoy socialising with friends and speaking at Burns Suppers throughout the winter months. My ambition is to climb more of Scotland’s munros.

John Dale | Partner

I have been practising law for 40 years or so and in that time I have enjoyed dealing with a wide range of mostly farming clients throughout Scotland, providing an enthusiastic legal service for them at their kitchen table. I deal with farm purchases and sales, structuring farm businesses in a tax-efficient manner, landlord / tenant reviews etc and property disputes.

In 2012 I was honoured to be appointed a fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies, the first and only solicitor to be so recognised.

30 years ago I was co-founder of Ayrshire Vintage Tractor and Machinery Club (now 360 members) and this is the focal point of one of my main hobbies – vintage tractors. I have also been Secretary of Dalry and Kilwinning Agricultural Discussion Society for over 30 years

I enjoy spending time with my grandchildren and demonstrating to them how not to play golf! My ambition is to witness Scotland win a Grand Slam, but I’d settle for becoming a scratch golfer. I’m not sure which is less likely!

Jennifer McFadzean | Partner

I qualified as a Solicitor in 2001 and since then have worked in the family business at Galston. I have been a Partner since 2008. I deal mostly with residential conveyancing transactions and Wills / Executries. I have also recently taken on a more administrative role within the Partnership.

Working four days a week and being a mother of a toddler doesn’t leave me much time for hobbies! I enjoy non-competitive golf when I can, and speaking at Burns Suppers along with my brother Alastair keeps me busy in the months of January and February.

George Dale | Rural Affairs Manager

I look after Dales farm sales, purchases and run our farm finder service, covering the country looking for land to satisfy our clients’ needs.

I enjoy going to as may Shows as possible in the summer, and watching rugby in the winter. I also have been known to plough a golf course or two. My aim is to make sure that our clients are satisfied and to make their transactions run as smoothly as possible.

Jean Forrest | Partner

I qualified as a solicitor in 2011, and assist the 3 partners here at Galston. I principally work for Alastair on renewables projects but also deal with residential conveyancing and succession planning.

Being a farmer’s daughter I enjoy getting out into the fresh air and feel very at home in a pair of wellies. I also enjoy photography and travelling, which work quite well together.

One day I am determined to see the view from the top of Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa.

Jillian Mann | Legal Secretary

I assist all of the solicitors in the office and I also deal with cashroom matters.

In my spare time I enjoy horse riding and walking my dog, anything that gets me out and about in the fresh air. My ambition is to travel to as many countries in the world as I possibly can.

Elaine Dodds | Paralegal

I began working as a Legal Secretary in April 2002 and qualified as a Paralegal in March 2007. I assist all four Solicitors in our office, mainly with conveyancing transactions, but also with Wills, Tenancy Agreement and Leases.

I enjoy keeping fit (when I can find the time) and I am a member of a local gym. I also enjoy meeting up with friends and eating out in nice restaurants. In the future I would love to travel more. I have friends who live in Australia and would love to visit them. I would also love to take my two children to Disney World in America.

Lisa Farmer | Paralegal

I am one of the Paralegals who assists Jennifer McFadzean. I primarily deal with Executries, Trusts, Wills and Powers of Attorney (qualifying as a Paralegal in this area in 2010). I have also recently qualified as a Residential Conveyancing Paralegal. I assist in the Cash Department and work as part of the office team wherever required.
In my spare time, I like to catch up with friends, socialising and trying new things. Like all girls I love to shop and having a degree in Fashion Business I try to keep up to date with the fashion world. I am a keen animal lover and it is my ambition in life to open the first zoo in Ayrshire.

Bruce MacFarlane | Financial Director

I joined Dales as Financial Director in early 2017, having previously gained 14 years’ experience as an accounts manager with a large accountancy practice.  I deal with all the Firm’s finances at Dales, including all intromissions on behalf of the Firm and clients.

Away from work, I have always enjoyed sport and, as with Alastair, my main pastime is rugby, where we ended up playing against each other a few times over the years.  Through this, I was lucky enough to gain a few representative honours.  I have also played a bit of tennis over the years and one of a few who can claim victories over both Andy and Jamie Murray (admittedly whilst they were in their early teens and me being a few years older)!!  These days when I get the opportunity I try to play golf, otherwise, I spend as much time as I can with my kids.

Tracy Calder | Legal Secretary

I joined Dales in November 2014 and offer secretarial assistance to Jean Forrest and Jackie Campbell in all of their transactional work.  My hobbies are walking, watching football, going to the gym and spending time with my husband and two sons.   Football is a massive part of my family life and we are hoping  to visit as many stadiums as we can in the future in different countries.

Jackie Campbell | Partner

I qualified as a solicitor in 2006, having completed a traineeship with a large commercial law firm in Glasgow. I have worked as a solicitor and senior solicitor for two large commercial law firms and also as in-house legal counsel for a global renewable energy developer where I have been involved in a number of major windfarm developments throughout Scotland and England. Although I have expertise in the renewable energy sector, I also have experience in a wide range of property work, including purchases and sales of commercial land, option agreements and leases (acting for both landlord and tenant) and due diligence for both sales and purchases of large commercial developments.

My main pastime is climbing Scotland’s munros, having climbed 207 of these already and hoping to complete the remaining ones in the next year or so. I also like spending time with my dog, family and friends as well as travelling. My ambition is to run the New York marathon before I am 50.

Robert Cunningham | Senior Solicitor

I joined the team at Dales in June 2019 after completing my traineeship with a firm in Lanark. I studied Law with History at the University of Glasgow graduating in 2016 (Diploma 2017).

I have a broad workload here at Dales from residential conveyancing to wills and Powers of Attorney, as well as working with Alastair on rural property matters and John on agricultural tenancy matters. Born and bred on a farm in Lanarkshire I can appreciate the unique needs of our rural client base and am no stranger to the summer show fields.

When not in the office, most of my time is taken up volunteering with a nationwide youth work organisation at various levels as well as a member of its UK and RoI trustee body. I am a keen brass musician and believe that my enthusiasm makes up for my distinct lack of talent.

Colin Wilson | Receptionist

I joined the firm as Receptionist in May 2019, which coincided with the opening of our brand new, large and modern reception. Most of my previous experience was in retail and customer care, which has been great experience for my role at Dales as I am likely to be the first person you see or the first the voice you hear when you telephone or call in to see us. I also assist with general office duties when I am not answering the busy phones, which include client paperwork, filing and data basing.

In my spare time I like to travel and listen to music, although my cheesy taste isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. I also enjoy travelling to see live music and in particular tribute bands. My other passion includes making and editing of video and I have edited many a happy wedding video.

My energetic sporting days are now behind me and but I have recently taken up golf again, although my scores are more in line with cricket scores than golf.

Wallis Munro | Solicitor

I commenced my traineeship with Dales in July 2021 after completing my Law degree at the University of Strathclyde in 2020 and then the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice in 2021. I primarily assist three partners, Jackie, Alastair and Jennifer and carry out a wide range of legal work ranging from commercial contracts for renewable energy projects throughout Scotland, executory matters and general property matters, including Wills Powers of Attorney.

Outside of work, I enjoy running, a hobby which I began during lockdown and which I really enjoy.  I am now hoping to complete two half marathons and, if I’m brave enough, tackle a full marathon. I also enjoy climbing Scotland’s Munros.   So far I have climbed 11 but I am aiming to get this number to triple figures shortly!

Gemma Neil | Accredited Paralegal

I have been a qualified Residential and Commercial Conveyancing Paralegal since 2006 and joined the team at Dales in October 2022. I deal in mainly residential conveyancing transactions, assisting clients to buy or sell their homes and other properties. I thoroughly enjoy helping clients throughout what tends to be one of the more stressful times in their lives! My aim is removing as much stress as I can, and make their journey as smooth as possible.

Having worked my way up the ladder from an Office Junior in a well-established Lanarkshire Firm, I am now in my final year of a Law Degree, hoping to graduate in July 2023.

I hope to complete the Diploma in legal practice in 2024 and begin my Traineeship at Dales the same year.

Away from work I have a busy family life with my husband, two young children and our dog. I enjoy the great outdoors with friends & family, and great food with a wine or cocktail!

Jillian Murray | Executry Assistant

I joined Dales in 2023 as an administration assistant dealing mainly with Wills and Powers of Attorney and supporting the executry department.

Before joining Dales, I enjoyed a long career in teaching and school management. As well as an early career in banking, I ran the business side of our farm and haulage businesses before we retired from that a few years ago.   In my free time I enjoy wild sea swimming, Rock Choir, cycling with local groups and socialising with friends.

With my family now grown up, my ambitions are simple, to live a full and healthy life, for as long as possible whilst enjoying spending time with family and friends – maybe with a few wee cruises flung in now and then.

Lewis Walker | Trainee Solicitor

I joined Dales in July 2023 as a Trainee Solicitor.  My primary responsibilities in the office involve assisting Jackie, Wallis and Robert. My work ranges from dealing with rural property and agricultural tenancy matters, to drafting Wills and Powers of Attorney.

In my spare time I enjoy watching all sport and going to as many sporting events as I can. My most beloved sport is football, but sadly my own football skills are nothing to boast about. I also enjoy hiking and cycling. Being from a rural village there are many cycling routes surrounding me, so this is where I can be found most often during my days off.

My ambition is to visit as many countries as possible and I am especially keen to volunteer for community development projects, particularly in Fiji (if I can find the time!).

Lisa Brown | Administration Assistant

I began working at Dales in June 2023 as an admin assistant within the busy reception carrying out a variety of tasks including filling, client paperwork and databasing. I also assist with the phones and welcoming clients.

Outwith work I am an enthusiastic member of Crossroads Young Farmers Club, I enjoy supporting my club in various competitions and taking part in the annual variety concerts. Of course, the social life which comes with young farmers is a highlight too!

I will shortly begin studying for my BA Hons Degree in Rural Business Management. I also hold an HNC in Financial Services and an HND Business Management.

Christine Bryson | Legal Secretary

I joined Dales in May 2023 to offer secretarial assistance to Jackie Campbell and the rest of the team.

When not in the office I can be found working at home on our beef and sheep farm.

I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, eating out, going to agriculture shows and generally socialising.