Tomorrow, the Scottish people will vote in a historic referendum to decide if they want to be independent from the United Kingdom. Scotland has produced many great brands, some have been sold off while others remain in Scottish hands. While debates are still raging, we take a quick look at 10 brands that originated from Scotland.
Johnnie Walker
Undeniably, one of Scotland’s biggest export is Scotch, and there is no bigger brand than Johnnie Walker. Founded in 1820, it is the most widely distributed brand of blended Scotch whisky in the world, selling some 130 million bottles annually in almost every country on the planet.
Highland Spring
When it comes to water, Highland Spring is one of the biggest in the UK market. The brand acquired several other companies in its growth path, but today, the brand is no longer in Scottish hands.
Lipton
Founded by Sir Thomas Johnstone Lipton in 1890, Lipton is one of the world’s best known tea brands, being sold in 100 countries. Despite its origins, Lipton black tea is not marketed in the UK. The brand is now owned by Unilever.
Drambuie
Introduced in 1910, the brand was owned by the MacKinnon family for a hundred years but was bought by William Grant & Sons earlier this month for a rumoured £100 million. Its name is derived from a Scottish Gaelic phrase that means “the drink that satisfies”.
Nae Danger
The first and only carbonated energy drink to come out of Scotland, Nae Danger is named after a popular Scottish phrase equivalent to “no problems” or “no worries”. Introduced in 2012, the drink comes in two main flavours – Blue Raspberry and Red Blueberry.
McVitie’s
Named after the original Scottish biscuit maker, McVitie & Price, Ltd., established in 1830 on Rose Street in Edinburgh, McVitie’s is one of the UK’s favourite snack food brands. In 2011, it was announced that Prince William had chosen a groom’s cake for his wedding reception, made from 1,700 McVitie’s Rich Tea biscuits and 17 kg of chocolate. Today, the brand is owned by United Biscuits.
The Royal Bank of Scotland
Founded in 1727, RBS is one of the largest retail banking groups in the UK. It recently announced that it would move their headquarters to London in the event of a Yes vote in the Scottish referendum. The Royal Bank of Scotland, along with Clydesdale Bank and Bank of Scotland, still prints its own banknotes, although it should be noted that no paper money is legal tender in Scotland.Website
House of Fraser
The department store group has over 60 stores across the UK and Ireland. Established in Glasgow in 1849 as Arthur and Fraser, it changed its name in 1891 to Fraser & Sons.
The Beano
Founded in 1938, The Beano is a long running British children’s comic known by kids in the UK and its colonies. Published by D. C. Thomson & Co. along with The Dandy, readers will be familiar with characters such as Dennis the Menace, Roger the Dodger and Baby Face Finlayson and The Three Bears.
Rockstar North
Formerly known as DMA Design, Rockstar North is a video game developer based in Edinburgh. It is best known for creating the Grand Theft Auto and Lemmings franchises. Since 1999, it has been a part of the multinational company Rockstar Games, owned by Take-Two Interactive. It now works alongside other Rockstar Games studios on titles such as Red Dead Redemption and Max Payne.
A whisky with great taste .. but i dont understand about the lipton is it alsoa scotlaland product egyptian cotton sheets lovely thank for it
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Yes, Sir Thomas Johnstone Lipton was Scottish and Lipton tea was first sold in his store in Glasgow. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipton#History