On a perfectly Scottish fall afternoon before our arrival to the Kildermorie Estate, a few members of the Modern Huntsman team made a stop at what I’d like to call a humbly legendary shop named Campbell’s of Beauly. Just west of Inverness, Campbell’s is part-country outfitter, part-antique shop, and all custom tailor for field pursuits and beyond. Surrounded by more bolts of tweed than I’ve ever seen, we spent a few hours with the owner and purveyor, John Sugden, who gave us the history of this unique store, shared some of his personal philoso- phy on hunting in a modern world and measured me for a new three-piece tweed suit. Places like this are few and far between, and it was a fitting stop before we headed into the highlands where we would see much of their work on display in the surrounding heather-laden hills.
TYLER SHARP — Tell us a bit about your company history and how it got to where it is today.
JOHN SUGDEN — Established in 1858, Campbell’s of Beauly is an iconic privately-owned, family-run country tailor and outfitter, situated in the picturesque village of Beauly, 10 miles west of Inverness in the Scottish Highlands among many famous stalking estates, grouse moors and salmon rivers. Campbell’s was first established as a drapers shop, and over the years, under the Campbell’s stewardship, the company developed into weaving their own fabric, as well as tailoring. Thereafter, the retail store was developed.
The Campbell’s name is synonymous with quality craftsmanship and attention to detail, and we hold Royal Warrants with HM King Charles, as well as with HM Queen Elizabeth, as tailors and tweed mercers. Our tailoring niche is sporting tweeds and Highland dress,
