Gilbert Meikle, from Carnwath, started a long association between the Meikle family and Fernieflat Farm.
  
Gilbert had a large family and by the time of his death in 1896 his eldest son James was farming at Fernieflat and his second son Gilbert was the tenant of the neighbouring Baberton Mains Farm.  

James Meikle died in 1916 and had no children, so the tenancy was taken over by his nephew and niece, William and Helen Meikle.  They continued the tenancy until William’s death, eventually purchasing the farm by public roup in 1920 from the Hailes Estate and Quarry Company.