From Kinloch Anderson tailors to Laphroaig Whisky, these are the ten best Scottish brands with Royal Warrants — shortbread and all…
Words: Jonathan Wells
Scotland holds a special place in the hearts of the royal family. Home to the Balmoral Estate, King Charles, his siblings and his children have spent many days in Royal Deeside – deer-stalking, drinking whisky and (according to this list, at least) eating shortbread.
Because, of all the brands awarded Royal Warrants by King Charles and The Prince of Wales, many started out in Scotland. From Angus Chainsaws (for all of His Majesty’s tree-felling needs) to Mowi Scotland, the official ‘Suppliers of Fresh Scottish Salmon’ to the royal household, some of the most prestigious and peculiar warrants hail from the Highlands.
But we’ll skim over Brian Rafferty, once hairstylist to the Queen, or Event-A-Loo, which curiously holds a warrant from its base in Strathclyde. Instead, we’ve rounded up ten of the most traditionally Scottish Royal Warrant holders – so you too can bring a little bit of Balmoral home…
It’s a suitably Scottish start; kilts. Kinloch Anderson has been the best in the ‘Highland Dress’ business since 1868, and they were one of the rare brands to hold a Royal Warrant from the three major royals (until The Duke of Edinburgh and The Queen’s deaths).
They still, however, provide exclusive tartans, tweeds and kilts for King Charles. Based in Edinburgh, they also bring a Caledonian touch to London, tailoring through a twice monthly appointment service at The Caledonian Club in Belgravia.
Next up, another Scottish institution; whisky. There are a couple of Scotch whiskymakers on the current list of Royal Warrants, but we’ll brush over some of the less palatable options (here’s looking at you, The Famous Grouse), for this; Laphroaig.
Officially, the warrant (granted by King Charles himself) belongs to D. Johnston & – Laphroaig’s owners – and was first granted in 1994. The whisky is the number-one-selling Islay single malt Scotch, and is infused with smoke from peat-fired kilns.
The royal family have long been lovers of the outdoors. And, to protect themselves on Highland hikes and rambles, both The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh had historically awarded a Royal Warrant to Hunter bootmakers. But most major members of the family have been seen wearing the brand’s iconic rubber boots.
The brand, founded in 1856, has a rich history of innovation and is based in Edinburgh. They even produce a range of ‘Balmoral’ boots, named for the royal family’s Scottish holiday home and designed for both comfort and durability.
Everyone has to eat – and the royal family’s official ‘Supplier of Oatcakes and Shortbread’ is Walkers. The heritage brand, established 123 years ago, is based in the picturesque village of Aberlour in Speyside.
And the company, like the royals themselves, understand the importance of family. A dynastic biscuitmaker, Walkers is today run by the founder’s grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
With a flagship found on George Street in Edinburgh, Hamilton & Inches is one of many jewellers which held a warrant from the Queen. Others – albeit outside of Scotland – include Asprey, Bentley & Skinner, Cartier and even Swarovski.
Hamilton & Inches, however, is the official ‘Silversmiths and Clock Specialists’ to the royal family, and has been ticking along since 1866. Today, the workshops are little changed from the company’s conception over 150 years ago.
On the banks of the River Beauly (it means ‘beautiful place’) in Inverness-shire, Campbell’s is a similar beast to Kinloch Anderson above. Privately-owned, family-run and holding a royal warrant, the tailor has been suiting and booting the monarchy since 2017.
The tailoring house was established in 1858, and today employs two full-time tailors and half a dozen qualified seamstresses. In the past, they have also held Royal Warrants from both The Prince of Wales (later The Duke of Windsor) and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
Whether it’s for breakfast or a barbecue, the royal family are discerning and meticulous when it comes to their meat. Donald Russell, headquartered in the town of Inverurie in Aberdeenshire, are the royal warranted ‘Suppliers of Meat Products’ — selected by King Charles himself.
Passionate champions of the craft of traditional butchery, the brand has long provided the primest of cuts for the royal family — everything from ribeyes, rumps and sirloin sandwich steaks to decadent double-sided Barnsley lamb chops.
This one’s solely for King Charles. But Johnston’s of Elgin, a heritage textile manufacturer based in Morayshire, is the real deal. As King Charles’ official ‘Manufacturer of Estate Tweed Woollen Fabric’, they keep the heir apparent looking trimly tailored and suitably smart.
And King Charles is known for his discerning eye when it comes to tweeds. He hand-picks most patterns for his jackets and suits, and has over half a dozen royal warrants with other tailors and shirtmaker.
Another warrant awarded solely by King Charles, Braemar Mountain Sports is the royal’s official ‘Supplier of Ski Wear and Equipment’. Found tucked away in the village of Braemar, in the Cairngorm National Park, the business specialises in hillwalking, climbing and stalking equipment.
It’s something of a catch-all for King Charles; as the shop stocks brands from Patagonia to Schoffel to Dubarry. And, to be best prepared for a long day walking, they even make custom orthotics on site.
And finally, another glass raised. Dram-makers in chief, the team at Royal Lochnagar hold a warrant from the royal family to produce and provide the royal household with Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
Sitting at the foot of the Cairngorm mountains, the distillery is just a mile from the Balmoral Estate, and creates a signature Scotch that is rich is flavour with fruit, wood and light toffee notes.
Want more warrants? Here’s an A-Z of the brands deemed worthy of the royals…
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