MacGillivrays Gift Shop

About

D MacGillivray & Co Ltd, or simply “MacGillivrays” came into being as a home based family business at Muir of Aird, Benbecula in 1941.

Between the mid 1940’s to mid 70’s the company developed a worldwide mail order service, mainly consisting of quality garments - Harris knitwear, tweeds and tartan rugs. In the mid 1950’s the Company was selling in excess of 45,000 yards of Harris Tweed, and over 50,000 pairs of Harris wool socks annually. Imagine the amount of cottage industries required to supply this level of business! With over 500 enquiries per week, replying, cutting, packing, and posting were all by hand – no modern-day machinery available!

Today, the company has successfully moved into its third generation of family business, while a not too distant fourth generation takeover is also a strong possibility!

Much diversification has taken place over the years but the emphasis on quality has remained. Today’s product range of island products include: Harris tweed jackets and wool garments, local new and secondhand books, local artist music, a gallery of local scene and wildlife photography (all by local photographers) are popular. Hebridean products such as candles, toiletries, chocolates, Scottish Islands Jewellery are to name but a few.