Our History
Nearly 140 years of families, guests, and country hospitality — all on the same land, under the same sky.
How Blanco got its name
Though no one is quite sure, there are two popular versions:
Version 1 — The White Cliffs
At the turn of the century, the cliffs of Mary and Martha were virtually white with vulture and dassie droppings and urine. They resembled the spats worn by army officers, which were kept white with a substance called Blanco.
Version 2 — A Scottish Name
When descendants from Scotland first came to South Africa, they moved into the area down the Baviaans River between Tarkastad and Bedford. Being a little homesick, they named their farms after places from home — Highland Home, Glenrock, Glen Fergus, Glen Etive, Glen Roy, and others. Blanco is the name of a small town in Scotland, and this could easily be the origin.
Bert, Lil, and the early years
John Henry King's daughter Lillian married Bert Ryan on 10 April 1911. They initially lived at Noupoortjie (later renamed Cyrilhurst), before John Henry purchased Blanco and gifted it to the young couple. Bert and Lil farmed Blanco until 1945.
During the 1920s, the Ryans established a small boarding school around 1925. Children came from across the district and as far as East London, drawn by the education and the remarkably healthy climate.
As parents visited during school holidays, they experienced the benefits of Blanco's fresh mountain air. Bert and Lil began welcoming paying guests, laying the foundations of Blanco Guest Farm. Family meals were shared around one large table, and Lil's warmth made every guest feel at home.
Ray, Pam, and generations of guests
During World War II, Blanco became a refuge for wives and children while their husbands served overseas. When the war ended in 1945, Ray Ryan returned home with his wife Pam and their young family.
Although Blanco had fallen on difficult times, Ray and Pam revived the guest house with the guidance of Lil and the help of their loyal chef Bollilo Toto. Starting modestly, Blanco steadily grew through word-of-mouth, attracting generations of guests who appreciated its genuine country hospitality.
Today, Chris and Kim continue that tradition — keeping the things that have always made Blanco special, while ensuring the welcome remains as warm as Lil's was in the 1920s.
See Blanco today
The land is the same. The welcome is the same. Come and make your own memory.