Macnaughtons of Pitlochry was founded by Alexander Macnaughton, a tenant farmer at Remony near Aberfeldy. In the year 1783, he established a small spinning mill with the purpose of spinning not only his wool, but that of his neighbours. Two of his six sons continued this trade at Remony until 1835. In that year, during the reign of William the Fourth, two of his great-grandsons (Alexander and James) crossed the valley to Pitlochry and established the Pitlochry Tweed Mills. They chose Pitlochry as it was a cross-roads of the drove roads used by the farmers for driving their sheep. The location was also close to the main railway line from London to Inverness as they chose to take advantage of the “Age of the Railway”. In addition to the mill the brothers also set up a shop, A & J Macnaughton, in Pitlochry to cater for the ever expanding townsfolk. This shop not only sold produce of the mill but also had what must have been one of the earliest delicatessens in the Highlands of Scotland.

The company soon gained a reputation for reliability and also for manufacturing and selling high quality merchandise. Macnaughtons won the only 1890 International Gold Medal in Edinburgh. Medals were also won in Chicago in 1893 and in Paris in 1900. More recently, the shop was one of the three finalists in the 1994 Independent Menswear Retailers Competition Amongst Macnaughtons most famous clientele is Her Royal Highness Queen Victoria. Her Royal Highness was delighted to own a selection of travel rugs that were purchased from Macnaughtons in the late 1800s. A telegram was sent to the shop that said:
“The Queen is very pleased with the rugs. Her Majesty has kept fourteen of them”.
Other famous clientele have included a British Prime Minister, John Major, who visited the shop in 1993 accompanied by his wife Norma, along with numerous stars of stage and screen.

The Macnaughton Group are sponsors of the world famous Vale of Atholl Pipe Band that boasts a roll-call of over 100 members. The band have won many trophies, are European Champions, and 1993 World Champions. They have played at exotic locations such as Indonesia, Sicily, Japan and the Nova Scotia International Tattoo. Further info can be found at www.vale-of-atholl.fsnet.co.uk

Today outfits and accessories from Macnaughtons find their way to every corner of the world. Customers are likely to have travelled from New York, Sydney or Paris as from towns in Britain.

Staff at Macnaughtons are always delighted to see old friends as well as customers meeting them for the first time; both are assured of a warm welcome and are certain to come away from this beautiful part of the Scottish Highlands having had a memorable visit and ready to tell friends and family of the Macnaughtons experience.

© Macnaughtons of Pitlochry 2003