In the 19th century the site was an orchard and kitchen garden, part of the grounds of Glen House, located around 1.2 kilometres (0.75 mi) to the south.

[2] In 1927 a wealthy Glasgow businessman, John Augustus Holms (1866–1938), took a lease on 28 acres (11 ha) of land on the estate.

A keen gardener, Holms was a founder member of the Rhododendron Society, and his collection began to outgrow the space available at Formakin.

[1] Holms began work on redeveloping a cottage on the site, employing architect Robert Lorimer who had designed Formakin House.

John Brennan, one of Holms' gardeners, continued to maintain the remaining plants, living in a bothy on site until 1959.