ScotlandShop Completes William Glen & Son Acquisition
The Duns-based retailer finalized its takeover of the Canadian tartan and Highland dress business on November 1, 2026.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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ScotlandShop completed its acquisition of William Glen & Son on November 1, 2026, adding two Canadian employees to its workforce. The Duns-headquartered retailer, founded in 2002 by Anna White, specialises in tartan, Scottish textiles, Highland dress and contemporary Scottish clothing.
Why it matters
The deal brings a longstanding Canadian tartan business under ScotlandShop's ownership, extending its international footprint beyond its Scottish shops and US operation in Albany, New York. The existing William Glen team, including Darren Purse and Peter Campbell, will remain in place following the takeover.
ScotlandShop now employs 34 people across three countries after adding two Canadian employees through the acquisition. William Glen & Son, founded in 1869 in Callander, has served Canadian customers since 1998, but the purchase price and deal terms were not disclosed.
The players
ScotlandShop
An international retailer headquartered in Duns that specialises in tartan, Scottish textiles, Highland dress and contemporary Scottish clothing, with shops in Edinburgh and Crieff and a US operation in Albany, New York.
William Glen & Son
A Callander-founded business established in 1869 as a drapery shop that has served Canadian customers since 1998 and is now part of ScotlandShop.
Anna White
The founder of ScotlandShop, who established the company in 2002 and led the acquisition of William Glen & Son.
The details
ScotlandShop is completing the takeover of William Glen & Son, a business that began as a small drapery shop in Callander in 1869. Anna White first met William Glen owner Mike Cantlay more than a year before the deal closed, at the company's registered offices in Callander.
Timeline
1869: William Glen & Son is founded as a drapery shop in Callander.
1998: William Glen & Son begins serving Canadian customers.
2002: ScotlandShop is founded by Anna White.
More than a year before November 1, 2026: Anna White first meets Mike Cantlay at the Callander offices.
November 1, 2026: ScotlandShop completes its acquisition of William Glen & Son.
Market Landscape
The deal follows a pattern in which Scottish tartan and Highland dress retailers absorb long-established heritage names to widen their catalogues and overseas reach. ScotlandShop's earlier purchase of House of Tartan fits the same consolidation trend across the sector.
Customers of William Glen & Son in Canada will continue to be served by the existing team, including Darren Purse and Peter Campbell, following the takeover. Shoppers buying tartan and Highland dress from either brand can expect the same staff and the existing business to remain in place.
The takeaway
Acquisitions of long-standing regional retailers often keep existing teams in place to preserve customer relationships, which is the case here with William Glen & Son's staff remaining after the deal.
Further reading
For more on other retail ownership changes, see Openings & Closings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Herald.
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