The top 100 privately owned businesses in Scotland saw their collective turnover increase by 2.9 per cent to 21.4 billion, according to new figures from accountancy firm Grant Thorton, which also showed a £200 million increase in profits.

Data from Grant Thornton’s Scottish Limited report shows that profits and headcounts also increased in a year which was beset by political uncertainty.

Collective profit before taxation increased from £1.4 billion in 2016 to £1.6 billion. The number of people employed by the top 100 firms increased by almost 10,000 to 119,087 in 2017.

The report was compiled by Grant Thornton based on accounts filed up to September 1 2017.

The food and drink sector dominates the list with 25 companies in the top 100, up from 24 in 2016. The list includes spirits producers William Grant & Sons at number one and The Edrington Group, in third.

The second largest company, according to Grant Thornton, is Arnold Clark.