Our Story So far

Founded by Alexander Gilkie in Eyemouth. All trade carried on was purely timber importing and merchanting. The area that was served was small on account of the limitations of horse transport. 

Alexander Gilkie was succeeded by his nephew William Allan.

William Allan dies and his sons Thomas and James inherit the company and change it’s name to Allan Brothers. 

The company was thriving, and with the advent of the railway the Allan Brothers decided to transfer the business to a large site besides Tweedmouth Station, an important railway station. 

A joinery factory was added to a now eight acre site housing the saw and moulding mill.

On the death of the last Allan Brother, the business changed to a private limited company.

Due to the war, the government established timber control and took over all timber stocks. All available capacity was used to convert logs into sawn timber, which were used by the women now employed in the joinery factory to produce air raid shelter bunks, ammunition boxes etc. 

After the war the company continued under various managing directors.

The company underwent a management buy-out to return to private ownership. In the same year the company also moved to it’s present purpose-built factory and offices at Ord Road, Tweedmouth.

Allan Brothers was acquired by Inwido – Europe’s leading window group. 

Allan Brothers celebrated it’s 200th anniversary.

Allan Brothers are accepted into the Guild of Master Craftsmen. As Guild members, we are committed to upholding the highest professional standards and to flying the flag for modern-day craftsmanship!