Gillian Kyle is a Scottish textiles designer and creative director of Gillian Kyle Ltd, based in sunny Glasgow.  In 2008, when Gillian graduated from the Glasgow School of Art, she decided to resist the move to London that seemed almost mandatory to have a career in design, and chose instead to create something special in Scotland.  After a few months, inspiration came over dinner with her boyfriend (now husband), Tom, one night. Teacakes! Irn-Bru! Plain bread!  All iconic Scottish foods, which almost every Scot on the planet regards with enormous affection.  In the following weeks, Gillian began drawing and hand screen printing at her kitchen table,  creating a small range of textile products celebrating the beloved unsung heroes of Scottish culture.

Gillian attended craft fairs & Christmas markets ably assisted by Tom.  The range proved so popular that before she knew it, the Gillian Kyle brand had been born, with her ‘Tunnocks Teacake’ design taking centre stage.  Launching the company in early 2009, Gillian began supplying some gift shops and also selling at various markets & festivals throughout the summer.  The company grew quickly & organically, and once the website opened for business it wasn’t long before ex-pat Scots across the globe had caught wind of Gillian Kyle.

In 2010, after having been a ‘one-lady’ band for over a year, Gillian’s first cousin Katrina Mather (also a former GSA student) came on board, thoroughly cementing Gillian Kyle as a Scottish family business.  In July that same year Gillian got married and Mr Tunnock very generously gave her five hundred Teacakes to be used as her wedding cake!  

The company has evolved substantially since 2008 and all of our products are now carefully made for us in Scotland, or in the UK – something which Gillian’s kitchen table is quite happy about...  Supporting Scottish & British industry is very important to us and if you’d like to learn more about how our products are made please have a look here.  We also have a dedicated team, led by Susan & Agnes, who look after all of our orders – they are the main reason so many of you email us to say how pleased you are with the speedy delivery. 

On the back of the range of Scottish food designs, we were asked by Glenfiddich to design a range of bespoke gifts under the ‘Gillian Kyle for Glenfiddich’ brand for their visitor centre and website.  And we have recently worked with one of the world’s most famous department stores, Harrods, on a commission to redesign the ‘Westie’ used on their signature collection.  As for the direction of the business: we would like to become a Scottish brand that is recognised for its excellent design, wit and very happy customers.

We regard ourselves as a friendly bunch and love to hear from you – so please feel free to contact us any time here.