ADVERTISING FEATURE
ON a bright spring day, the 12th of April 1995, The House of Bruar first opened its doors. After two years of building work on the quiet site in rural Perthshire, that once held a small country pub, Mark and Linda Birkbeck opened the store with the 10th Duke of Atholl, the Atholl Highlanders and their family in attendance.
From the outset many in the Scottish tourism trade and textile industry claimed that the venture was doomed to fail, but 25 years on it is now Scotland’s leading luxury country clothing retailer.
In the last quarter century, the company has grown beyond all recognition – The Country Living and Menswear departments now each cover over 20,000 square feet, the Cashmere Hall – once a golf shop back in the early days - is believed to be the largest in the northern hemisphere. The Ladieswear department, meanwhile, has a plethora of shoes, bags, jewellery, a specialist coat room and
AIMING HIGH: The Atholl Highlanders in full regalia at the House of Bruar’s opening ceremony in 1995. many of the your favourite country clothing brands such as Barbour and Joules.
Alongside the extensive clothing, art gallery, technical fishing department and gift halls, the site also sports a 600-seater restaurant serving fresh seafood, homemade favourites and traditional Scottish fare, an award-winning Food Hall, Butchery, Delicatessen and Drinks Room.
All this attracts more than two million visitors a year and allows the family to continually reinvest in the business: with over 25 extensions to the original building since it opened in 1995.
Since the turn of the century the retail landscape has changed significantly and so has the company. The House of Bruar is proud to have built the Home of
Country Clothing on the back of the ever-growing Scottish tourism trade, however, to reach customers further afield the business has rapidly expanded its mail order catalogue business and its digital marketing.
Still priding itself on the highquality experience customers receive when they visit the 11-acre site, you can now find the same level of service through their dedicated mail order team.
Despite the ongoing developments with COVID-19, which are causing concern for the whole country, plans are moving forward on a new Stalking Department within the Menswear Hall and the building work for a fantastic gallery space to showcase the best of contemporary rural art will start as soon as possible.
With these and other continuous developments within the Restaurant, Food Hall and the traditional Fish and Chip Shop which specialises in the ultimate luxury comfort food – fresh Lobster and chips, there is hope that 2020 will continue the trend of success. A success which is a testament to what Mark and Linda Birkbeck have achieved over the last 25 years and which will attract visitors from all corners of the globe in the years to come.
Managing director Patrick Birkbeck said: “Coronavirus is obviously an ongoing concern for everyone but it is certainly not
DYNAMIC DUO: Mark and Linda Birkbeck on opening day.
Below: The Food Hall and 600-seat restaurant.
holding us back on our ambitions for the future of House of Bruar, which is a true homegrown success story.
“Like all businesses, we are very much adapting to circumstances but the team here are performing extremely well under pressure – they have all been incredible.
“House of Bruar was certainly not alone in being deeply affected by the economic turmoil that has followed in the wake of the global pandemic but the good news is that our business is now levelling out – with food offerings in particular holding up spectacularly well and deliveries being extremely successful over the Easter period.
“Mark and Linda have reacted with calm professionalism and adapted to circumstances as they always do. You really have to take your hat off to them for everything they have achieved over the past 25 years. They ensure there is no standing still at House of Bruar – decisions get made quickly and we strive to carry them out effecticly and successfully. And will continue doing so for the next 25 years and beyond.”