Cavers & Co is a family-run, rural law firm and estate agency set up in October 2004 which nevertheless has long years of experience behind it and a large and varied client base.
The firm was set up by Neil Cavers in 2004. Neil qualified as a solicitor in 1971. After working in private practice in Edinburgh he left in 1973 with his family to practise as an Attorney at Law in the Cayman Islands, British West Indies, becoming a partner in the firm of W.S. Walker & Company. He returned to Scotland in 1981 and came to Kirkcudbright later that year and practised as a solicitor in private practice in Kirkcudbright until he handed over the reins to his son Paul in 2018. Neil continued to work with the firm as a consultant until his retirement in 2025.
Paul Cavers is now the proprietor of the firm. Paul returned to live in Kirkcudbright and joined his father Neil as an associate solicitor in 2014 having qualified in 2011. He worked post-qualification for three years in Edinburgh where he specialised in rural property and had particular responsibility for crofting matters. Paul has since expanded his areas of practice to include wills and executries, powers of attorney and guardianship and other general legal work. Paul also gives regular talks to various local groups on legal matters to consider for older people, through the firm’s membership of Solicitors for Older People Scotland. He is a keen fan of sport, in particular football and rugby, and also enjoys running 10ks and hill walking whenever possible as well as spending time with his young family. He is supported by an experienced and helpful staff.
Katie Woodhouse is our firm’s full-time Solicitor and is a ‘Local Lass’, having been brought up in Kirkcudbright. She attended the former Johnston Primary School and Kirkcudbright Academy, before heading to Stirling for University.
Whilst at Stirling, she completed a degree in Business Studies, before eventually deciding on a career in Law and going on to complete her Law degree at Stirling and Diploma in Legal Practice at University of Glasgow. Having completed her traineeship in the Wigtownshire area of Dumfries and Galloway, she qualified as a Solicitor in 2023 and returned to her roots, starting with our firm in June 2024.
Outside of the office, Katie is a keen baker, having spent most of her childhood baking with her gran. She often bakes for friends and family, and has developed this into a hobby making celebration cakes for people when time allows.
Eilidh Macfarlane is our paralegal, accredited by the Law Society of Scotland in residential conveyancing, who joined the firm in 2025. As well as residential matters she also handles rural and other conveyancing work as well as securities and mortgages. Prior to joining Cavers & Co, Eilidh had a spell as a land agent, but also has extensive experience in the fields of conveyancing and land registration, formerly working in-house for Scottish Water dealing with their voluntary registration project. In her spare time Eilidh enjoys curling and shooting and various other outdoor pursuits.
Jane Aykroyd manages our property department and has considerable experience in all aspects of estate agency including marketing, valuation and dealing with enquiries and viewings.
Caroline Lyons (Neil’s daughter, Paul’s sister) has worked with the firm since its early days, fulfilling admin roles and covering staff holidays while mainly spending fourteen years as a full-time mum to three children, but took up a permanent post in 2022 as Cashier.
Alongside the day job, Caroline studied the evening course with the Society of Law Accountants in Scotland (SOLAS) to become a qualified SOLAS Associate member, meaning she keeps fully up to date with the latest developments in compliance and running an efficient cashroom.
In her spare time Caroline enjoys travelling, reading, being outdoors and enjoying a glass of wine.
Kirsty Dougan joined the firm in 2024 and works as a secretary and receptionist. Kirsty has been working with us whilst completing her honours degree in Law and subsequently also the Diploma in Legal Practice. Kirsty’s ability to bring her own legal knowledge whilst also balancing her studies with working in a busy legal practice has been a real asset to the firm.
Lisa Brown joined Cavers & Co in 2025 and also works as a secretary and receptionist. Lisa has a number of years of experience working in legal firms and is a friendly and efficient member of the team.
