The design of the house is quite unique in this part of rural Banffshire.

In 1843 there was disruption within the Free Church which resulted in the formation of the United Free Church as a separate entity to the established church.

Here in Deskford, a Free Kirk and this Manse were built in a small dip beside the Lornach Burn on the west side of the Deskford Valley. The Reverend William Ker was inducted as the first minister of the church. A native of Greenock, and the son of a prosperous merchant family, he had studied in Geneva and served in South Shields. He stayed at Deskford for 31 years, during which time his family grew, and the size of the manse grew to match.

The churches reconciled in 1929, and 5 years later the Free Church and Manse were sold to farmers. The Manse has changed hands 8 times since it was built in 1843.

Melville and Johan McDonald became the owners in July 1999.
Melville retired from a career in Commercial Banking, and Johan has worked as an administrator and book-keeper.