Billionaire Brothers Build New Bus Empire In Scotland

The billionaire brothers behind the takeover of one of Scotland’s longest-established bus firms have been amassing a significant share of the market.

The former Rangers directors own what they say is the UK’s largest independent transport business and have been growing bus and coach operations.

This week, McGill’s Group hailed the seven-figure takeover of a coach company operating for seven decades in central Scotland with the acquisition of Prentice Westwood.

The West Lothian-based business comes under the umbrella of the group of companies owned by Sandy and James Easdale. The Prentice Westwood employees will become part of the McGill’s Group, and the brand will be kept.

The brothers, reportedly worth £1.46 billion, have, over the past five years, they say, significantly grown their coach operations.

Their company’s Fly services connecting Edinburgh Airport with Dundee and Aberdeen “have proved immensely popular”, while its private coach hire business “continues to thrive across Scotland”.

McGill’s also launched Loch Lomond Travel, a coach holiday division “that has seen rapid growth and strong demand among holidaymakers”, in 2023.

The company is also the operator of the successful FlixBus network in Scotland and across the UK, with the international intercity service “flourishing since its 2021 launch”.

Tony Williamson, chief executive of McGill’s Group, said that “Prentice Westwood has a terrific reputation as a quality transport provider in central Scotland”.

He said: “We believe Prentice Westwood will play a significant role in supporting our continued growth across coach travel in central Scotland and beyond, and we look forward to welcoming our new colleagues into the business.

“During our discussions, I was very impressed by their team, ethos and operational standards, all of which made this an easy decision.”

The McGill’s group of companies' turnover increased from £57.6 million to £91.2m and operating profit increased from £720,000 to £1.88m in its most recent accounts, for the year ended December 31, 2023.​

Robbie Prentice, owner of Prentice Westwood, said: “We are incredibly proud of what Prentice Westwood has achieved over the past 70 years as a family enterprise. 

“Joining McGill’s Group represents a fantastic opportunity to secure the long-term future of the business and for our team to be part of one of the most forward-thinking and ambitious transport operators in the UK.

“The values and vision of McGill’s align closely with our own, and I’m eager to see the development of the business in the coming years.”

Of course the Easdale family is not the first to build a substantial transport empire in Scotland, with siblings Brian Souter and Ann Gloag founding Stagecoach, originally called Gloagtrotter.

The Easdales’ business interests also include real estate and housing development.

This article and image appeared in The Herald.