Carol Ann McKellar
Practice Manager
Practice Manager
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 2340
cmckellar@homack.co.uk
About Carol Ann
Carol Ann is our Practice Manager and is SOLAS qualified.
Carol Ann joined Holmes Mackillop in 2000 with over 15 years’ previous experience in Legal Practice Management. Carol Ann qualified as a Scots Law Accountant in 1992 and works as part of our Private Client Team in all aspects of Trust and Executry administration as well ensuring compliance with the many rules and regulations that govern all Legal Practices.
Carol Ann is a former lecturer for the Society of Law Accountants in Scotland.
Qualifications
Scots Law Accountant (1992)
Law Society of Scotland Accredited Paralegal in Wills & Executries
Areas of Practice
Pauline McNamara
Paralegal
Paralegal
Ayr
01292 264 091
ptmcnamara@homack.co.uk
About Pauline
Pauline is a Private Client paralegal based in our Ayr office, She has years of experience in Estates administration and the preparation of Wills and Powers of Attorneys.
Qualifications
BA (Hons) Religious Studies (Stirling University)
Private Client Paralegal Qualification (Strathclyde University)
Areas of Practice
Peter McNamara
Director
Director
Ayr
01292 264 091
07940 546925
pdmcnamara@homack.co.uk
About Peter
Peter heads our office in Ayr. He enrolled as a solicitor in 2005, having previously qualified as a Chartered Tax Adviser with a global accountancy firm, and has since accumulated a wealth of experience working primarily in Commercial and Rural Property and Wills, Estates and Future Planning. He advises both private and business clients on a wide variety of matters, including commercial, residential and agricultural property conveyancing, housing developments, leases, commercial contracts, estate planning, executries, renewable energy projects and securities.
Peter joined us on 1st April 2025 following our acquisition of the private client and property business of the longstanding and highly-regarded Ayr firm of D & J Dunlop.
Qualifications
Full Member, Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners
Chartered Tax Adviser, Chartered Institute of Taxation
Taxation Technician, Association of Tax Technicians
LLB, University of Strathclyde
Diploma in Legal Practice, Glasgow Business School
Notary Public
Areas of Practice
Zara Nisa Mohamed
Associate
Associate
Ayr
01292 264 091
znmohamed@homack.co.uk
About Zara
Zara qualified as a Solicitor in 2021. She joined Holmes Mackillop in April 2025 as part of the firm’s acquisition of the private client and property practice of D & J Dunlop, Solicitors, Ayr.
She carries out a range of commercial, residential, and rural property work, advising clients to meet their personal and financial outcomes and assists the Wills, Estates and Future Planning team with succession planning.
She has experience of working with clients in Arran, Ayrshire, Orkney, Shetland, and central belt Scotland, and has been a member of the Rural Sub-Affairs Committee of the Law Society of Scotland since 2022.
Clients describe Zara as proactive, efficient, and having a can-do attitude!
Outside of work, Zara is involved in her family business. In her free time, she enjoys exploring new places, hillwalking, and trying out new recipes.
Qualifications
LLB (Hons) (2016) University of Strathclyde
LLM (Corporate and Financial Law) (2017) University of Glasgow
Diploma in Professional Legal Practice (Scotland) (2018)
Notary Public (2020)
STEP
- Advanced Certificate in Advising the Family Business (2023)
- Advanced Certificate in Trusts: Law and Practice – Scotland (2022)
- Advanced Certificate in Wills and Executrices: Law and Practice – Scotland (2021)
Areas of Practice
Paula Phinn
Trainee Solicitor
Trainee Solicitor
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 4942
pphinn@homack.co.uk
About Paula
Paula joined Holmes Mackillop in October 2021 following the merger with Campbell Riddell Breeze Paterson and is based in our Glasgow Office. Whilst studying for her degree, Paula regularly assisted the Wills, Estates and Future Planning team in our Giffnock office. Paula graduated from Strathclyde University in 2023 with a First Class Honours degree before going on to complete the Diploma in Legal Practice there.
Paula is currently working in our Dispute Resolution and Litigation team, assisting with commercial and debt recovery court actions as well as family and employment issues.
Qualifications
- LLB Law (Hons), University of Strathclyde 2023
- Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, University of Strathclyde 2024
Amy Pollock
Associate
Associate
Bishopbriggs
+44(0)141 772 6063
apollock@homack.co.uk
About Amy
Amy qualified as a solicitor in 2020, and is an expert in all aspects of residential and commercial conveyancing and property related matters. Amy also has extensive previous experience in Wills, Estates and Future Planning. With extensive experience in all things property-related, Amy assists clients from the beginning of a transaction, all the way to the collection of the keys at the end.
Qualifications-
• LLB (Hons), University of Strathclyde (2015)
• Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, University of Strathclyde (2017)
• Notary Public.
Areas of Practice
Liam Reilly
Trainee Solicitor
Trainee Solicitor
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 4942
lreilly@homack.co.uk
About Liam
Liam joined Holmes Mackillop in September 2023 as an admin assistant during his final year of study, before beginning his traineeship in June 2024. Liam graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2023 with a First-Class Honours degree and remained there while completing the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, in which he attained a distinction.
Liam is currently a part of our corporate team, where he assists with corporate transactional work. He will also have the opportunity to work alongside both our property and litigation departments, throughout his traineeship
Qualifications
- LLB Law (Hons), University of Glasgow 2023
- Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, University of Glasgow 2024
Ralph Riddiough
Director
Director
Glasgow
⁺44(0)141 226 4942
⁺44(0)141 226 2303
⁺44(0)798 098 6718
rriddiough@homack.co.uk
About Ralph
Ralph qualified as a solicitor in 1999. He specialises in corporate transactional work. His clients operate in a typical cross section of Scotland’s economy, and he has particular expertise in renewable energy developments, charity / community projects and the legal issues surrounding information governance.
He was Head of Legal and Democratic Services at South Ayrshire Council from 2014 to 2018, which means he brings considerable insights to matters that have a public sector context.
Qualifications
LLB (Hons), DipLP, The University of Edinburgh
Notary Public
Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce
Areas of Practice
Pamela Runciman
Legal Executive
Legal Executive
Johnstone
⁺44(0)1 505 328271
pr@homack.co.uk
About Pamela
Pamela joined Holmes Mackillop in 1997 as a trainee Solicitor. She gained experience in all aspects of conveyancing, estate administration and private client law as an Assistant, then Associate, becoming a Partner in 2004.
After retiring from practice in 2010 to focus on life with a young family, Pamela has now returned to work as an Executry Assistant in our Johnstone office dealing with all aspects of winding up estates.
Qualifications
LLB Hons University of Glasgow
Diploma in Legal Practice
Areas of Practice
Robert Stewart
Director
Director
Giffnock
⁺44 (0)141 638 7405
rstewart@homack.co.uk
About Robert
Robert started his legal career with Breeze Paterson & Chapman in 1983, which, following a merger with Campbell Riddell & Co in 1995 became Campbell Riddell Breeze Paterson (CRBP). Robert was a Partner in CRBP for many years and is now a Director with Holmes Mackillop, the firms having merged their businesses on 1st October 2021. Robert will be based at our Giffnock Office and his main focus is private client work, however, he is also an experienced property specialist involved not only in commercial property transactions on behalf of individuals, companies, charities and property investors but all aspects of residential property transactions including purchases and sales with estate agency through our ESPC membership.
Robert has developed a good working relationship with the Local Authority and other agencies locally, looking after the interests of the elderly particularly in relation to guardianships and powers of attorney.
Qualifications
Robert is a graduate of Glasgow University MA LLB and holds a Diploma in Legal Practice
Finlay Swan
Associate
Associate
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 2310
fswan@homack.co.uk
About Finlay
Finlay joined Holmes Mackillop in October 2020 as a Trainee Solicitor, having graduated from the University of Glasgow. Staying on with the firm after qualifying, Finlay now works as a solicitor in the corporate department at our Glasgow office.
Finlay’s practice area is focused on corporate transactional work, particularly in the healthcare, manufacturing and financial services sectors, but extends to all stages in the lifecycle of a business. Finlay is also experienced in handling the legal issues affecting charities and their governance.
Representing Holmes Mackillop, Finlay lectures Masters students at the University of Glasgow on the key legal considerations entrepreneurs and start-ups must have when growing a business.
Qualifications
LLB Law (Hons), University of Glasgow 2019
Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, University of Glasgow 2020
Areas of Practice
Kevin Thompson
Director
Director
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 4942
⁺44 (0)141 226 2398
kthompson@homack.co.uk
About Kevin
Kevin heads our property team in Glasgow. He qualified as a solicitor in 2003 and joined Holmes Mackillop in 2007 after working as a commercial property specialist in two of what were Scotland’s largest law firms.
Qualifications
BA University of Strathclyde
MSc University of Strathclyde
LLB University of Strathclyde
Diploma in Legal Practice University of Strathclyde
Notary Public
Areas of Practice
Linda Watson
Paralegal
Paralegal
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 2350
lwatson@homack.co.uk
About Linda
Linda joined Holmes Mackillop in May 2021 and is based in our Glasgow office. She is a qualified Residential Conveyancing Paralegal and specialises in all aspects of the sale and purchase of property, transfers of title, discharge of securities and re-mortgages. As well as this she is also able to assist with commercial property matters.
Linda has 21 years’ experience within the legal sector and is a key asset within our property team.
Areas of Practice
Sophie Woodside
Solicitor
Solicitor
Glasgow
swoodside@homack.co.uk
About Sophie
Sophie joined Holmes Mackillop in 2018 and is based in our Glasgow office. While studying for her degree, Sophie regularly assisted our Private Client Team gaining valuable experience on the administration of Estates. Sophie graduated from Strathclyde University in 2021 and went on to complete the Diploma in Legal Practice at Edinburgh University in 2022 before becoming a Trainee at the firm the same year.
Sophie qualified into our Wills, Estates and Future Planning team in 2024, with a particular focus on the preparation of Wills, Powers of Attorney and Executry & Trust Matters.
Qualifications
LLB Law (Hons), University of Strathclyde 2021
Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, University of Edinburgh 2022