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The William Glen & Son Story
In November 2026 we are very proud to take over William Glen & Son, "Canada's leading custom kilt experts", in Toronto, Canada and bring this reputed Scottish shop into the ScotlandShop tartan family. Just like us this is a well established, Scottish-owned business, specialising in Highland dress, kilts, custom made tartan garments and Scottish gifts, and offered the perfect opportunity for us to serve our Canadian customers better.
How it all began
However, did you know that the William Glen name has much older Scottish roots, and the origins of the William Glen business can be traced to 1869, when the company began as a small drapery business in Callander, Scotland?
William Glen was a professionally trained draper from Kirkcaldy who moved to Callander in 1869 to set up a store. The railway had just arrived and with it tourists from around Britain. But primarily the store served the local community in Callander and The Trossachs with clothing, tartans, haberdashery, bedding and textile goods. William’s son John took over the business in the early 20th Century. John was a significant figure in the town. He became Provost (Mayor), leading the Town Council. He was pivotal to improving services and facilities in the town including the building of this key footbridge (pictured below) over the River Teith linking the town to McLaren High School.
John’s son William took over the business during the war and sold the business to Alan Cantlay in 1967. From its early beginnings as a drapery store, the company retained its Scottish identity over generations. Alan had been Finance Director at Lochcarron Weavers in Galashiels where son Michael was born. Mike became the 5th generation between two families to lead William Glen & Son in 1982, and my very first meeting with Mike Cantlay was over a year ago at the registered offices, still in Callander where the story began.
The Canadian chapter of the William Glen story began in Toronto in 1998, with a retail shop based on Avenue Road in North York, where they developed a particular specialisation in kilts and Highland formal wear, serving individuals, families, weddings, Highland games, with strong connections to the St Andrew's Society of Toronto, and other Scottish organisations and clans.
A major part of the company's Canadian development was kilt rental and custom kilt making services. Rather than simply selling Scottish souvenirs, William Glen & Son Canada developed into a specialist Highland-dress retailer, sourcing their products from Scottish weavers and manufacturers.
The people
We've always been a business all about people and communities and behind the William Glen business, there are two gentlemen who have been critical to it's success.
Darren Purse is one of these men and this is his story:
"Having spent many years in the Hospitality industry, in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen, whilst shopping in Glasgow I happened upon RG Lawrie’s on Buchanan Street, advertising for someone to manage their Highland Dress Hire Department.
That was 1994, and managing the Hire Department was short lived before securing the Assistant Managers position at RG Lawrie’s, training under Mr. Sutherland, absorbing his great knowledge of Highland Dress. I was then approached by Senior Directors to take the position of Manager, North Bridge Branch on the Royal Mile.
The Company acquired a Highland Store in Toronto and asked if I would manage it for them in the short term. That was 1998, and I helped set up not just the Toronto store but also another in San Francisco. Blink of an eye and it's 2000. I then made the decision to stay in Canada and applied for my citizenship, and once granted, this proud Glaswegian began the task of growing and running the Toronto business on behalf of the Scottish owners. Over the years we have become recognised as the leading Highland Dress specialists in Ontario if not Canada. We pride ourselves on genuinely making our customers have a fabulous shopping experience and go the extra mile when called upon."
Peter Campbell is the second part of the duo, a born and bred Toronto man, a second generation Canadian & proud of his Scottish ancestry. What better than to have a member of the Campbell Clan looking after our customers!
An accomplished bagpipe player, Peter has over 25 years of experience measuring for custom made kilts & highland dress outfits or helping a piper choose that perfect chanter reed.
The next chapter
We are very excited to be able to continue this fabulous service and retaining the expertise of Darren and Peter, and we will continue to offer their existing range of made-to-measure kilts, trews, trousers, waistcoats and other Highland clothing. New products from the ScotlandShop collection will be added and in particular our signature designs for women such as the Kate Coat and Kilted Skirts and Dresses, along with an expanded range of accessories and gifting.
The first major Scottish event on the calendar is St Andrew's night on 28th November and we look forward to supplying hire outfits for the many proud Canadians celebrating their Scottish heritage. We will be expanding kilt hire across the country, delivered to your door, wherever you are and whatever your occasion. If you want to know more about your options send Darren and Peter a message and they will fill you in with all the details.
