A long-established Highland company that tailors tweed suits for the Balmoral Estate has been granted a royal warrant for supply of goods to the Queen.
It is the third time in its 159-history that Campbell’s of Beauly has been awarded the exclusive recognition.
The granting of the warrant, issued to companies that supply the households of the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales, comes two years after ownership of the firm changed hands for the first time since 1858.
Current owners John and Nicola Sugden acquired the firm following the retirement of the fourth generation of the Campbell family to run it.
The royal warrant was granted to Mr Sugden’s father, who has worked in the textiles industry for more than 50 years.
Yesterday, John Sugden said: “Nicola and I are absolutely delighted for all the team here at Campbell’s as this is such a wonderful reward for all their hard work and attention to detail.
“Many of the team have worked here for over 20 years and this is the perfect recognition for their dedication and loyalty.
“The first people we shared the news with were the Campbell family and Tom Owen, our head cutter for over 40 years, who were all delighted.”
Recognised in the industry as “guardians of tweed” Campbell’s workshop in Beauly, near Inverness has made suits for Balmoral and other country estates for many years.
Traditionally Highland estates have commissioned their own versions of tweeds with a herringbone pattern covered with a basic check in colours reflecting the local landscape.
Campbell’s previously held royal warrants for the Queen Mother and the late Prince of Wales, who was later the Duke of Windsor.
James Sugden, who was awarded the OBE for services to the textiles industry in 2010, was managing director of Johnstons of Elgin for 20 years.
Since taking over Campbell’s his son and daughter-in-law have increased the firm’s workforce from nine to 16.
Last year the business, which also sells knitwear, tweed garments and gifts, was named a “five star tourist shop” by VisitScotland.
