A leading international watchmaker has opened its first dedicated Scottish store.

The chief executive of the historic Swiss watchmaker has signalled plans to expand throughout Scotland after choosing Edinburgh for its first dedicated boutique in the country, we revealed this week.

Christoph Grainger-Herr unveiled the ambitions of IWC Schaffhausen to open stores in cities outside the Scottish capital as the brand rides a wave of “regionalisation” in the luxury goods market that it is now seeing across Europe.

IWC Schaffhausen has launched a new range inspired by a timepiece worn by Brad Pitt in the film F1. (Image: Getty Images) His comments came as the watchmaker, which was founded in 1868, opened a boutique on Princes Street in partnership with Scottish jeweller Chisholm Hunter.

The new boutique is currently displaying the watch with the green dial worn by Brad Pitt in the film F1.

Read Scott Wright’s story here

BUSINESS INSIGHT 📈

Family-owned Scottish baker brand popularity surges

Aisling McGhee said: ‘We are incredibly proud of our Scottish roots and the role we have played in helping to feed Scotland for four generations.’ (Image: McGhee’s) A Scottish family-owned bakery is celebrating a surge in the popularity of its brand.

The bakery is a new entrant to the “most chosen” category in Worldpanel by Numerator’s 2025 Scotland brand footprint rankings, coming second behind only Irn-Bru.

Glasgow-based bakery McGhee’s, a fourth-generation family-owned business, noted this surge in brand popularity comes as it is expanding beyond its west of Scotland heartland with the aim of becoming “a household name across the country”.

Its second place is among Scottish fast-moving consumer goods brands, ranked according to their popularity in Scotland.

Read Ian McConnell’s Business Insight here

BUSINESS BRIEFING  📈

Plans for 950 new homes at landmark city site lodged

The proposals include a hotel. (Image: 3D Reid) Plans have been lodged for 950 new homes and a hotel in a Scottish city.

The developer said the proposals for a huge former factory site near the country’s busiest airport “represent a significant investment”.

Summix Capital has submitted a planning application for a residential-led, mixed-use development at Edinburgh Gateway, the site of the former Saica packaging facility.

The developer said it provides a “unique opportunity” to regenerate this former industrial location on Turnhouse Road, which covers 15.5 acres.

Read Brian Donnelly’s Business Briefing here

AROUND THE GREENS ⛳

 

Meet golf’s ‘Keeper of the Carnoustie Way’

Trevor Williamson says the skill of making golf clubs was an art form. (Image: Carnoustie Golf Links)

This article appears as part of Kristy Dorsey’s Around the Greens series

The grandson of renowned club maker Robert Simpson, Trevor Williamson grew up in the family home of Rockliffe House located next to the 18th fairway of “The Champ” course at Carnoustie.

He made his first sale in the colourfully-domed family business Simpsons – the world’s second-oldest golf shop – during the 1953 Open won by Ben Hogan. This kicked off a lifelong career of making clubs and caddying for many of the game’s greats, and amateur players alike.

Today he is sometimes known as the “Keeper of the Carnoustie Way”, a title bestowed upon Mr Williamson about six years ago after he agreed to take the job as ambassador for Carnoustie Golf Links. Previously publicly-owned, Carnoustie Golf Links was taken over earlier this year by private investment group CGHH, which also now owns Simpsons Golf Shop.