THE chairman of VisitScotland believes his business is benefiting from the huge interest in Scotch whisky in the US.
Mike Cantlay told The Herald the San Francisco based William Glen & Son has one of the largest retail collections of whisky in the US and sells Scottish textiles, kilts and clan items.
Mr Cantlay also owns Cairngorm Scottish Imports in Toronto and closer to home Callander-based William Glen.
In abbreviated accounts filed at Companies House William Glen shows a retained profit of more than £53,000 but adding in net profits from the overseas companies brings the total to around £145,000.
Mr Cantlay said: "In broad order the company is continuing to be thoroughly profitable particularly the foreign subsidiaries.
"The US business is excellent and all parts have been very robust throughout the recession.
"We do really well from Scotch whisky in San Francisco. It is one of the biggest retail collections of whisky in north America and we do a lot of work on tastings and such things.
"There are intricacies in selling and distributing whisky but the interest continues to be really strong."
Mr Cantlay hopes the interest generated in Scotland through events such as Homecoming, the Commonwealth Games and Ryder Cup will lead to further business benefits.
He cited Burns Night, St Andrews Night and the Highland games circuit in the US and Canada as being big drivers of interest.
A deal has been agreed with Barrie Knitwear, recently bought out of administration by Chanel, for the textiles firm to continue providing cashmere goods to Mr Cantlay's companies.
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