ALEXANDER Inglis, the grain business owned by former Scotland rugby captain Jim Aitken, has seen pre-tax profits tumble by 38 per cent to £1.5m as revenue fell 13.6 per cent to £68.5 million in 2015, writes Kevin Scott.

The company, which supplies barley to a number of Scotch whisky producers, was negatively impacted by the fall in the price of grain in the last year, so while volume sales consistent, the value of those sales declined.

The company said: “The results reflect the margins and prices generally available in cereals trading. Turnover can fluctuate from year to year depending on the quality of the grain harvest and market prices.”

Over the year the company employed an average of 45 people, in line with the previous year. Staff costs increased by just over £100,000 to £1.9m.

The group’s net assets increased by £1.2m to £23.4m.