GLASGOW-BASED McRostie has been producing handmade leather goods in Scotland for more than a century.
Founded in 1887, McRostie’s original premises were located on Parnie Street. The brand was first established as a saddler and ironmonger, but quickly expanded to become a wholesale saddlery.
Developing a strong portfolio of leather goods, McRostie made its name in carriage driving and heavy horse harness.
In 1986, the brand was purchased by its current managing director Colin Campbell and the business moved to Howwood in Renfrewshire where it remains.
In the same decade, McRostie launched its first collection of belts, which are now sold in stores and online internationally. Stockists include Stewart Christie in Edinburgh, Andy Trott in Vancouver and Manufactum in Germany.
In 2015, McRostie launched a range of handcrafted leather accessories. The collection includes bags, sporrans and card holders, made from the finest materials.
Embracing its Scottish roots, all of the brand’s products are handmade in Scotland to the exact standards which were established more than a century ago.
Campbell says: “No part of any piece is outsourced or assembled abroad. Everything is made in our workshop.”
Further maintaining traditional practices, McRostie adopts the same leather and craft techniques which were originally used to make harnesses for Scottish workhorses.
The brand also has a personalisation service on offer, whereby products can be fully customised.
Campbell says: “The customer can help design their own product. We discuss how they want it made, the colour of leather, the colour of stitching, whether they want it riveted with copper or solid brass.”
McRostie recently commissioned sporrans for the official Scottish team uniform worn at the Rugby World Cup. The sporran was named Laidlaw after team captain Greig.
The company also offers a repair and restore service, which prolongs the lifespan of leather products in need of repurposing. The service caters for items such as briefcases, bags and country sport accessories.
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