History
Both of us gain enormous satisfaction and pleasure from seeing and hearing guests go away happy and feel pleased that we can contribute towards the “discovery” of McGregor by our guests. McGregor is a very unique and wonderful place and we want more people to experience its relaxing and energising qualities in their lives. 
This is how today's Fountain Place plays its part in the life of the village of McGregor.
In 1861, a little town on the edge of the Karoo came into being. It was called “Lady Grey” in honour of Lady Eliza Lucy Grey, the wife of Sir George Grey , Governor of the Cape at that time. However, this created much confusion for the postal authorities, 
since there was already a “Lady Grey” situated in the North East Cape – the name needed to be changed, but to what??........................
At around that same time, a new minister arrived in Robertson. He was the first Scottish minister of the Dutch Reformed Church, who had been encouraged to come to South Africa by Dr Robertson. – His name was Andrew McGregor. Upon reaching Robertson, Rev McGregor met and fell in love with Dr Robertson’s daughter, Eliza. They were soon married and settled in Robertson, where Rev McGregor served as minister from 1862 - 1902.
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The village of Lady Grey had been without a minister for some time and so the residents there were delighted that they were now included within Rev McGregor’s parish. He became such a well-known and loved figure within the village that the community decided to ask if the village could be re-named “McGregor” in his honour. So, with the blessing of the postal authorities, the village of McGregor was born in 1862.
………………………many years later, a descendant of Andrew McGregor arrived in the village with his family. This was Robin McGregor. He and his wife were resident here for many years and, in fact, Robin held the office of Mayor from 1984-86. They resided in the property, which was later to become known as “Fountain Place”. Whilst living here, Robin wrote the first edition of “Who owns Whom” – a comprehensive listing of the ownership of South African companies.
This property originally consisted of four cottages. One of these was demolished and the remaining three were then joined together to create one U-shaped building with a central courtyard. Due to its age (1862), it was declared a National Monument and is, in fact, one of the oldest buildings in the village. Much later, two fountains were installed, one on the central stoep and the other in the garden, thus providing the perfect name for the guesthouse now known as “Fountain Place”. Pictures of this progression are on view at the guesthouse.
Around 20 years after Robin McGregor first lived here, on one of their many weekend visits to the village, Mark Thorn and Jane de Hond saw Robin McGregor’s former residence. The garden and house were, by then, looking a little sad and unloved. However, Jane & Mark had vision enough to see that the whole place could be a wonderful and tranquil haven and that it just needed to be given some love and attention to show itself in its full glory and beauty....
So, after much hard work and attention to detail,
Fountain Place Guesthouse was “born” on 1st June 2007.
