THE STORY OF MCKINNON & LYLE

The Sisters:

Elspeth McKinnon (older sister, the quiet strength, always in tailored wool and brooches)

Moira Lyle (younger sister, spirited, colourful scarves and bold rings)

The Clan Name:
McKinnon & Lyle — a tribute to both sides of their ancestral lineage, proudly rooted in two distinct Scottish tartan clans: Clan MacKinnon and Clan Lyon (Lyle is a modern derivation used in Lowlands).

🌿 The Legacy of McKinnon & Lyle
For 33 years, a quaint shop nestled in the cobbled heart of Pitlochry stood as a quiet icon of Scottish fashion heritage. McKinnon & Lyle wasn’t just a boutique — it was a place where tweed met tulle, where tradition was tailored, and every customer was treated like family.

Run by Elspeth McKinnon and Moira Lyle, two fiercely stylish sisters in their 60s, the store blended classic Highland elegance with a touch of cosmopolitan flair. Raised on stories of tartan and tenacity, they built a sanctuary of craft, care, and character.

Their bond was their brand: Elspeth, measured and meticulous, curated the timeless pieces — wool, linen, pearls. Moira, ever-bold, brought colour, risk, and a sharp eye for prints that defied the seasons. Their differences made the store dynamic. Their shared love made it magnetic.

But now, after more than three decades, the sisters are preparing to lock the doors of the original McKinnon & Lyle for the final time.

Not because the story ends here. But because a new chapter begins.

🌸 Enter the Daughters: The Next Generation
Taking the helm are their daughters:

Isla McKinnon – daughter of Elspeth, 34, a fashion buyer who’s worked in London and Tokyo. Classic with a modern twist.

Rona Lyle – daughter of Moira, 30, a digital branding expert and self-taught seamstress with a flair for storytelling and social media.

Together, Isla and Rona are expanding the family business beyond the Highlands. They’re bringing the McKinnon & Lyle spirit to the whole of the UK, blending heritage fabrics with contemporary cuts, launching both physical pop-ups and a sleek online platform.

No longer just a shop — McKinnon & Lyle becomes a fashion house rooted in legacy and led by innovation.

Their motto:
“Woven from the past. Cut for tomorrow.”