Our Heritage

1845

George Livingston, founder of G Livingston & Son, was born in Edinburgh on 24 July 1845 to Andrew and Mary Livingston. His father worked as a farm labourer. George was educated at Daniel Stewart’s College, now Stewart’s Melville College, where he was the top student, or “Dux”, in his year.
George Livingston, our company founder, was born in Edinburgh on 24th of July 1845 to Andrew and Mary Livingston. Andrew was a farm labourer by profession. George was educated in Edinburgh at the private school Daniel Stewart’s College (now Stewart’s Melville College), where he was the top student or “Dux” in his year.
George Livingston, our company founder, was born in Edinburgh on 24th of July 1845 to Andrew and Mary Livingston. Andrew was a farm labourer by profession. George was educated in Edinburgh at the private school Daniel Stewart’s College (now Stewart’s Melville College), where he was the top student or “Dux” in his year.

1861

By the 1861 Census, George Livingston was recorded as a tailor, although he may have begun learning the trade several years earlier. He later worked as a cutter for Marshall & Aitken at 27 and 29 North Bridge, Edinburgh. Established in 1770, the respected civil and military tailoring firm dressed many prominent Scottish customers and gave George early experience in high-quality tailoring.
In the 1861 Census George was listed as a tailor, but he may have taken up the needle and thread some years earlier.
In the 1861 Census George was listed as a tailor, but he may have taken up the needle and thread some years earlier.
George worked as a cutter at the prestigious firm of Marshall & Aitken, which had been established in 1770. Based at 27 & 29 North Bridge, Edinburgh, this civil and military tailoring firm dressed many of Scotland’s elite.
George worked as a cutter at the prestigious firm of Marshall & Aitken, which had been established in 1770. Based at 27 & 29 North Bridge, Edinburgh, this civil and military tailoring firm dressed many of Scotland’s elite.

1876

George Livingston married his first wife, Rose Jordon, in 1876.
George married his first wife, Rose Jordon.

1881

By 1881, George and Rose Livingston had moved to Dunbar on Scotland’s east coast. George continued his career as a professional cutter, working for Daniel Smith at 55 High Street.
By 1881 George and Rose has relocated to Dunbar on Scotland’s east coast, where he worked as a cutter for Daniel Smith at 55 High Street.
By 1881 George and Rose has relocated to Dunbar on Scotland’s east coast, where he worked as a cutter for Daniel Smith at 55 High Street.

1887

Following the death of his first wife Rose, George Livingston married Lucy Mitchell on 29 July 1887.
Following the death of Rose, George married Lucy Mitchell on 29th of July 1887.

1888

George and Lucy Livingston’s son Andrew was born in Dunbar on 7 May 1888. The first of their 13 children, Andrew would later become the second generation to run the Livingston family tailoring business.
George’s son Andrew was born in Dunbar on 7th of May 1888. The first of 13 children, he was to become the second owner of the family business.

1895

In November 1895, Castle Douglas tailor Alexander McAdam died and his widow sold his tailoring business at 96 King Street, Castle Douglas, to George Livingston. The premises at No. 96 were later demolished for the construction of a Post Office, but the purchase brought George and his family to Castle Douglas and laid the foundations for G Livingston & Son.
In November 1895 Alexander McAdam, a tailor in Castle Douglas, died and his widow sold his tailoring business at 96 King Street to George Livingston No 96 can be seen on the right. It was later demolished for the building of a Post Office.
In November 1895 Alexander McAdam, a tailor in Castle Douglas, died and his widow sold his tailoring business at 96 King Street to George Livingston No 96 can be seen on the right. It was later demolished for the building of a Post Office.

1896

On 16 January 1896, 51-year-old George Livingston began trading as a tailor from 96 King Street, Castle Douglas. This marks the beginning of the Livingston family business, whose roots in traditional tailoring have now continued through five generations.
George, aged 51, began trading from 96 King Street on 16th January 1896.
George, aged 51, began trading from 96 King Street on 16th January 1896.
1896

1904

A serious fire damaged a row of premises opposite George Livingston’s original shop in King Street. Following their refurbishment, George moved his tailoring business across the road to 75 King Street, Castle Douglas. G Livingston & Son has traded from 75 King Street ever since, making the premises a central part of the Livingston story for more than a century.
A serious fire damaged a row of premises across King Street from George’s shop. When the buildings were refurbished, he moved across the road to 75 King Street. We have traded from this address ever since.
A serious fire damaged a row of premises across King Street from George’s shop. When the buildings were refurbished, he moved across the road to 75 King Street. We have traded from this address ever since.

1906

By the end of 1906, George and Lucy Livingston had 13 children, six boys and seven girls. Andrew, Lucy, Mary and Emily were born in Dunbar, while James, George, Annie, Henry, Elsie, Robert, Margaret, Elizabeth and Albert were born after the family moved to Castle Douglas. The accompanying photograph shows the seven Livingston sisters during the mid-1910s.
By the end of 1906 George and Lucy Livingston had produced 13 children – six boys and seven girls. Andrew, Lucy, Mary and Emily were born in Dunbar. James, George, Annie, Henry, Elsie, Robert, Margaret, Elizabeth and Albert followed in Castle Douglas.
By the end of 1906 George and Lucy Livingston had produced 13 children – six boys and seven girls. Andrew, Lucy, Mary and Emily were born in Dunbar. James, George, Annie, Henry, Elsie, Robert, Margaret, Elizabeth and Albert followed in Castle Douglas.
The seven Livingston sisters in the mid-1910s
The seven Livingston sisters in the mid-1910s

1908

Founder George Livingston died on 31 July 1908, aged 63. He left Lucy with 13 children ranging in age from 20 to two. Responsibility for the Castle Douglas tailoring business and the family passed to his eldest son Andrew, beginning the second generation of Livingston ownership.
Our founder, George Livingston, died on 31st of July 1908 aged 63, leaving his widow Lucy with 13 children aged from 20 to two years. The responsibility for running the tailoring business and supporting the family fell to Andrew.

1909

Seeking to develop his cutting skills, Andrew Livingston travelled to London to study at the renowned Tailor & Cutter Academy in Gerrard Street, Soho. Founded in 1866 by Scotsman John Williamson, founder of the influential Tailor & Cutter trade publication, the academy was regarded as one of the leading schools of bespoke tailoring. Andrew’s diploma, dated 27 March 1909, remains in the Livingston shop in Castle Douglas today, alongside material from his studies including a scale drawing from his January 1909 sketchbook.
To improve his cutting skills, Andrew went to London and studied at the world-renowned Tailor & Cutter Academy in Gerrard Street, Soho. Founded in 1866 by Scotsman John Williamson, who had established the influential trade paper The Tailor & Cutter two years earlier, the academy was regarded as the best bespoke tailoring school in the world.
To improve his cutting skills, Andrew went to London and studied at the world-renowned Tailor & Cutter Academy in Gerrard Street, Soho. Founded in 1866 by Scotsman John Williamson, who had established the influential trade paper The Tailor & Cutter two years earlier, the academy was regarded as the best bespoke tailoring school in the world.
Andrew’s diploma from the academy is dated 27th of March 1909 and hangs in our shop today.
Andrew’s diploma from the academy is dated 27th of March 1909 and hangs in our shop today.
A scale drawing from Andrew’s sketch book of January 1909.
A scale drawing from Andrew’s sketch book of January 1909.

1920

Andrew Livingston married Jessie Rogerson on 1 July 1920. Jessie would later play an important role in maintaining the family business through one of the most difficult periods in its history.
Andrew Livingston married Jessie Rogerson on 1st of July 1920.
Andrew Livingston married Jessie Rogerson on 1st of July 1920.

1922

In 1922, Andrew Livingston broadened the traditional tailoring business by introducing ready-made clothing including shirts, ties, underwear, caps and hats. It was an important step in the development of Livingston from a bespoke tailoring business into the wider menswear and clothing shop that customers know today. The same year, Andrew and Jessie’s son George Livingston was born on 23 May. George would later become the third generation to run G Livingston & Son.
The scope of the business was enlarged by Andrew stocking ready-made garments, such as shirts, ties, underwear, caps and hats. The selection was expanded over the years to the comprehensive wardrobe options Livingston offers today.
The scope of the business was enlarged by Andrew stocking ready-made garments, such as shirts, ties, underwear, caps and hats. The selection was expanded over the years to the comprehensive wardrobe options Livingston offers today.
George Livingston, who was to become the third owner of the business, was born on 23rd of May 1922.
George Livingston, who was to become the third owner of the business, was born on 23rd of May 1922.

1930s

A Livingston family photograph from the 1930s shows Jessie Livingston with her sons George and Drew, preserving a glimpse of the family behind the Castle Douglas tailoring business as its next generation grew up.
Jessie with George and his younger brother Drew.
Jessie with George and his younger brother Drew.

1940s

A photograph from the 1940s shows Andrew Livingston among a group of bespoke tailors during a visit to a tailoring factory, recording the Livingston family’s longstanding connection with the wider British tailoring trade.
Andrew Livingston enjoying the sociable company of a crowd of bespoke tailors at a visit to a tailoring factory.
Andrew Livingston enjoying the sociable company of a crowd of bespoke tailors at a visit to a tailoring factory.

1942

Andrew Livingston died in September 1942 at the age of 54. His son George was serving overseas with the Army during the Second World War, leaving Andrew’s widow Jessie to run G Livingston & Son in Castle Douglas. Her stewardship kept the family tailoring business operating until the next generation could return.
Andrew died in September 1942, aged 54. With his son George serving overseas in the Army during the Second World War, his widow Jessie ran the business.
Andrew died in September 1942, aged 54. With his son George serving overseas in the Army during the Second World War, his widow Jessie ran the business.

1949

After returning to the family business following the war, George Livingston married Andrewina Margaret Carson, known as Rena, on 27 December 1949. George and Rena became both husband and wife and an effective partnership in the continuing development of G Livingston & Son.
Back in the business after the war, on 27th of December 1949 George married Andrewina Margaret Carson, who was known as Rena. They were to be very effective business partners as well as a happily married couple.
Back in the business after the war, on 27th of December 1949 George married Andrewina Margaret Carson, who was known as Rena. They were to be very effective business partners as well as a happily married couple.

1950s

Jessie Livingston remained closely involved with G Livingston & Son well into her later years. Seen with her son George in a 1958 photograph, she was both an astute businesswoman and a highly accomplished needlewoman, continuing to work into her 80s. The reputation of the Castle Douglas tailoring business was also built on skilled staff including George, Stanley Sobcyzk and tailoress Margaret Blythe, who remained with Livingston for 45 years until 1990.
George’s mother Jessie, seen here in 1958 with her son, was very active in the firm, proving herself to be an astute businesswoman and a needlewoman extraordinaire. She continued to work in the business into in her 80s.
George’s mother Jessie, seen here in 1958 with her son, was very active in the firm, proving herself to be an astute businesswoman and a needlewoman extraordinaire. She continued to work in the business into in her 80s.
The firm’s reputation was based on the skill of George, Stanley and staff like tailoress Margaret Blythe (seen in the middle here in 1954), who worked at G Livingston & Son for 45 years until 1990.
The firm’s reputation was based on the skill of George, Stanley and staff like tailoress Margaret Blythe (seen in the middle here in 1954), who worked at G Livingston & Son for 45 years until 1990.

1954

In 1954, G Livingston & Son achieved one of the proudest moments in its tailoring history. The annual competition organised by The Tailor & Cutter magazine attracted leading bespoke tailors from across Britain and was usually dominated by major Savile Row firms. That year, G Livingston & Son became the only Scottish firm to win a Gold Medal in the competition. The award-winning “occasional jacket” was cut by George Livingston and sewn entirely by hand by his Polish assistant, Stanley Sobcyzk. George, Rena and their 10-month-old daughter Margaret were presented with a cup from cloth supplier Keith & Henderson for the “best cut, styled and made occasional jacket”. The original jacket remains in the Livingston family archive at 75 King Street, Castle Douglas, where the Gold Medal is still displayed. George also won a Silver Medal in 1954 for a pair of trousers.
The annual competition run by The Tailor & Cutter magazine was like the Oscars of the British bespoke tailoring community.
The annual competition run by The Tailor & Cutter magazine was like the Oscars of the British bespoke tailoring community.
Open to tailors across the UK, it was usually dominated by the big firms on Savile Row, but in 1954 G Livingston & Son became the only Scottish firm to win a Gold Medal in the contest.
Open to tailors across the UK, it was usually dominated by the big firms on Savile Row, but in 1954 G Livingston & Son became the only Scottish firm to win a Gold Medal in the contest.
George, Rena and their 10-month-old daughter Margaret with the cup awarded by cloth supplier Keith & Henderson for the “best cut, styled and made occasional jacket”.
George, Rena and their 10-month-old daughter Margaret with the cup awarded by cloth supplier Keith & Henderson for the “best cut, styled and made occasional jacket”.
The winning “occasional jacket” was cut by George Livingston and was sewn entirely by hand by his Polish assistant Stanley Sobcyzk. It remains in the family archive at 75 King Street, where the medal is proudly displayed on the wall.
The winning “occasional jacket” was cut by George Livingston and was sewn entirely by hand by his Polish assistant Stanley Sobcyzk. It remains in the family archive at 75 King Street, where the medal is proudly displayed on the wall.
George is seen here with Stanley Sobcyzk and the winning jacket. George was also awarded a Silver Medal in 1954 for a pair of his trousers.
George is seen here with Stanley Sobcyzk and the winning jacket. George was also awarded a Silver Medal in 1954 for a pair of his trousers.

1962

George and Rena Livingston’s son Andrew was born on 16 March 1962. Seen here with his sisters Margaret and Joy, Andrew would later become the fourth generation of the Livingston family to run the Castle Douglas business.
George and Rena’s son Andrew (seen here with his sisters, Margaret & Joy) was born on 16th of March 1962. He would become the fourth generation to run the business.
George and Rena’s son Andrew (seen here with his sisters, Margaret & Joy) was born on 16th of March 1962. He would become the fourth generation to run the business.

1965

A photograph taken in the Livingston sewing room in 1965 records some of the skilled people behind the tailoring business: Margaret Heron, Betty Carson, John Trainer, Kathy Waugh and Veronica Gellatly.
In the sewing room, from left to right Margaret Heron, betty Carson, John Trainer, Kathy Waugh & Veronica Gellatly
In the sewing room, from left to right Margaret Heron, betty Carson, John Trainer, Kathy Waugh & Veronica Gellatly

1971

Tailor John Trainor retired from G Livingston & Son in 1971 after an extraordinary 50 years with the business. When he began his apprenticeship in 1921, he earned five shillings a week, plus an additional half-crown for arriving early to light the stove used to heat the tailoring irons. That original stove can still be seen in the Livingston tailoring shop in Castle Douglas. Long service ran in the family: John’s father, James Trainor, had worked for G Livingston & Son for 52 years.
After 50 years of service with the firm, tailor John Trainor retired. When he started as an apprentice in 1921 at 5 shillings (now 25p) a week, he was paid an extra half a crown (the equivalent of 12.5p) a week for coming in early to light the stove to heat the pressing irons. The stove can still be seen in the tailoring shop.
After 50 years of service with the firm, tailor John Trainor retired. When he started as an apprentice in 1921 at 5 shillings (now 25p) a week, he was paid an extra half a crown (the equivalent of 12.5p) a week for coming in early to light the stove to heat the pressing irons. The stove can still be seen in the tailoring shop.
Remarkably, John’s father James Trainor has worked for G Livingston & Son for 52 years. We like to keep talented staff!
Remarkably, John’s father James Trainor has worked for G Livingston & Son for 52 years. We like to keep talented staff!

1972

After raising her family, Rena Livingston, a teacher by training, ran a nursery school in Castle Douglas for 15 years. In 1972, Rena and George expanded the family retail business by opening a womenswear shop at 69 King Street, immediately beside the menswear and tailoring premises at 75 King Street. It established the combination of menswear and womenswear that remains part of Livingston today.
A teacher by training, Rena Livingston ran a nursery school in Castle Douglas for 15 years after raising her family. In 1972 Rena and George opened a complementary womenswear shop at 69 King Street in the unit next to the menswear shop.
A teacher by training, Rena Livingston ran a nursery school in Castle Douglas for 15 years after raising her family. In 1972 Rena and George opened a complementary womenswear shop at 69 King Street in the unit next to the menswear shop.

1976

Andrew Livingston began learning the craft of bespoke tailoring from his father George while he was still at school, working at G Livingston & Son after school and on Saturdays. It marked the beginning of the fourth generation’s formal connection with the family tailoring trade.
Andrew began to learn the bespoke tailoring craft from his father George, working after school and on Saturdays.
Andrew began to learn the bespoke tailoring craft from his father George, working after school and on Saturdays.

1979

After beginning his training in the family business in Castle Douglas, Andrew Livingston travelled to Ipswich, Suffolk, to complete his apprenticeship with Ted Glazebrook at E M Glazebrook. The experience broadened the tailoring knowledge he had first learnt from his father George.
After his initial training in the family business, Andrew went to Ipswich in Suffolk to finish his apprenticeship with Ted Glazebrook at E M Glazebrook.
After his initial training in the family business, Andrew went to Ipswich in Suffolk to finish his apprenticeship with Ted Glazebrook at E M Glazebrook.

1984

Andrew Livingston married Sue Clarke on 22 March 1984. The couple had met while Andrew was working in Ipswich during his tailoring training.
Andrew married Sue Clarke on 22nd March 1984. He had met her while working in Ipswich
Andrew married Sue Clarke on 22nd March 1984. He had met her while working in Ipswich

1987

From the late 1980s, Andrew Livingston continued developing his bespoke tailoring skills through connections made by Derek Jackson, an agent for Scabal cloth, who introduced him to several leading Savile Row tailors. Among them was celebrated cutter Edward Sexton, pictured with his colleague Peter Osbourne. Both played an important role in developing Andrew’s cutting and tailoring skills. Another major influence was Sicilian tailor Salvo Cannia, who worked for Edward Sexton. Salvo and Andrew became close friends as well as master and pupil, continuing Livingston’s tradition of learning the tailoring craft from accomplished cutters and makers.
Among these was the legendary cutter Edward Sexton, seen here with his colleague Peter Osbourne. Both tailors greatly assisted Andrew to hone his skills.
Among these was the legendary cutter Edward Sexton, seen here with his colleague Peter Osbourne. Both tailors greatly assisted Andrew to hone his skills.
Another important influence on Andrew was Salvo Cannia, an extremely talented tailor from Sicily, who worked for Edward Sexton. Master and pupil, Salvo and Andrew became great friends. The Livingston family holidayed in Sicily with Salvo several times, once driving all the way from Dumfries & Galloway to the foot of Italy.
Another important influence on Andrew was Salvo Cannia, an extremely talented tailor from Sicily, who worked for Edward Sexton. Master and pupil, Salvo and Andrew became great friends. The Livingston family holidayed in Sicily with Salvo several times, once driving all the way from Dumfries & Galloway to the foot of Italy.

1988

Andrew Livingston’s tailoring education also continued much closer to home. Alongside the skills passed down by his father George, Andrew learnt from Livingston’s experienced head tailor Margaret Blyth, pictured here with Mary Carson and May Maxwell. A second photograph from the period shows Andrew and George Livingston with Leonora Tait, Diane Thomson and Roy Bagen, some of the people behind the family business.
As well as learning from his father George, Andrew picked up tricks of the bespoke tailoring trade from Livingston’s head tailor, Margaret Blyth. (Pictured in the blue dress with Mary Carson & May Maxwell)
As well as learning from his father George, Andrew picked up tricks of the bespoke tailoring trade from Livingston’s head tailor, Margaret Blyth. (Pictured in the blue dress with Mary Carson & May Maxwell)
Pictured here with Andrew and George, Leonora Tait, Diane Thomson and Roy Bagen.
Pictured here with Andrew and George, Leonora Tait, Diane Thomson and Roy Bagen.

1996

In 1996, George, Rena and Andrew Livingston celebrated 100 years of G Livingston & Son in Castle Douglas, a century after founder George Livingston took over Alexander McAdam’s tailoring business. Andrew, then aged 34, is pictured with the large traditional cutter’s shears that remain one of the most recognisable tools of bespoke tailoring.
George, Rena and Andrew celebrated 100 years since the original George Livingston took over Alexander McAdam’s tailoring business in Castle Douglas.
George, Rena and Andrew celebrated 100 years since the original George Livingston took over Alexander McAdam’s tailoring business in Castle Douglas.
Aged 34, Andrew is very comfortable with his huge cutter’s shears, but he is less comfortable having his photograph taken.
Aged 34, Andrew is very comfortable with his huge cutter’s shears, but he is less comfortable having his photograph taken.

2004

After working full-time until the age of 82, George Livingston retired in 2004 to care for his wife Rena. Responsibility for G Livingston & Son then passed to his son Andrew, making him the fourth generation of the Livingston family to run the Castle Douglas business.
Having worked full-time until he was 82, George retired in 2004 to care for his ailing wife Rena, leaving Andrew to run the family firm.
Having worked full-time until he was 82, George retired in 2004 to care for his ailing wife Rena, leaving Andrew to run the family firm.

2014

In September 2014, Andrew Livingston was interviewed by menswear publication Keikari about the history of G Livingston & Son and his life in tailoring. The interview recorded Andrew's early training in the family shop in Castle Douglas, his apprenticeship with E M Glazebrook in Ipswich and the influence of renowned tailors Edward Sexton and Salvo Cannia. Andrew also discussed the Livingston family's tradition of passing the business from father to son and the firm's 1954 Tailor & Cutter Gold Medal.

2015

Following his earlier training and friendship with Edward Sexton, Andrew Livingston went on to work with the renowned Savile Row tailor internationally, assisting him with royal and showbusiness customers. The work connected more than a century of Livingston tailoring tradition in Castle Douglas with one of the best-known names in modern British bespoke tailoring.
Having trained with Edward Sexton, Andrew has also worked with him all over the world, assisting this celebrated bespoke tailoring icon with his royal and showbusiness customers.
Having trained with Edward Sexton, Andrew has also worked with him all over the world, assisting this celebrated bespoke tailoring icon with his royal and showbusiness customers.

2016

Andrew Livingston's relationship with Edward Sexton led to professional work in China from 2016, beginning a period of regular tailoring trips that continued into 2017. Photographs from the period show Andrew on business in Beijing and meeting clients in Suzhou, taking the cutting and fitting skills developed through generations of Livingston tailoring far beyond Castle Douglas.
Andrew describes Edward Sexton as his mentor. Edward asked Andrew to represent him in China, which opened new experiences for the man from Castle Douglas.
Andrew describes Edward Sexton as his mentor. Edward asked Andrew to represent him in China, which opened new experiences for the man from Castle Douglas.
Andrew on a sales trip at the Hong Kong Jockey Club in Beijing.
Andrew on a sales trip at the Hong Kong Jockey Club in Beijing.
A happy meeting with clients in Suzhou, a city of 11m people to the west of Shanghai.
A happy meeting with clients in Suzhou, a city of 11m people to the west of Shanghai.

2018

In 2018, tailoress Leonora Tait celebrated 50 years with G Livingston & Son, continuing the remarkable tradition of long-serving craftspeople associated with the Castle Douglas tailoring business.
Continuing the tradition of long service at G Livingston & Son, tailoress Leonora Tait celebrated 50 years with the firm.
Continuing the tradition of long service at G Livingston & Son, tailoress Leonora Tait celebrated 50 years with the firm.

2019

By 2019, Andrew Livingston's tailoring work had become increasingly international. Andrew had been training tailors for a Savile Row firm and had made three working visits to India in less than six months. He was also continuing professional links with China, where his tailoring work had already taken him repeatedly during the preceding years. It marked another chapter in a craft Andrew had first learnt from his father in Castle Douglas, with Livingston cutting and tailoring knowledge now being shared internationally.

2020

During the first Covid-19 lockdown in spring 2020, Livingston built and launched its Shopify online store. By May, glivingston.co.uk was processing online payments, creating a new national sales channel alongside the long-established Castle Douglas shop. The move marked one of the most significant changes to the family business since the expansion into ready-made clothing almost a century earlier.
We launched glivingston.co.uk after the first Covid-19 Lockdown
We launched glivingston.co.uk after the first Covid-19 Lockdown

2021

In June 2021, veteran fashion journalist Eric Musgrave profiled G Livingston & Son for TheIndustry.Fashion. His article, Online Independence, explored how Andrew, Sue and Lewis Livingston combined the traditional Castle Douglas shop and its tailoring heritage with a rapidly growing online business. Written during a period when independent retailers were adapting to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the feature documented an important stage in the development of the fifth-generation family business.

2022

In 2022, Livingston launched its Ladies Country Casual Collection, expanding the womenswear side of the business with clothing from brands including Barbour, R.M.Williams and Schöffel. The collection continued a womenswear tradition at Livingston that began with Rena and George’s shop at 69 King Street in 1972.
In 2022 we launched our Ladies Country Casual Collection, with pieces from Barbour, R M Williams and Schoffel.
In 2022 we launched our Ladies Country Casual Collection, with pieces from Barbour, R M Williams and Schoffel.

2023

In 2023, filmmaker Josh Dobrick documented G Livingston & Son, its family history and its connection with traditional tailoring. The resulting film provides a visual record of the Castle Douglas business and forms part of the growing archive documenting more than a century of Livingston tailoring.
Many thanks to Josh Dobrick for the wonderful documentary he shot for our business.

2024

In 2024, Andrew Livingston returned for a second year to speak with tailoring students at Wimbledon College of Arts, part of University of the Arts London. During an extended student question-and-answer session, Andrew discussed the history of tailoring in Castle Douglas, Scottish trews, shooting clothing, bespoke cutting techniques, apprenticeship, workroom practice and the influence of Edward Sexton on his own approach to tailoring. Following the session, the university formally engaged Andrew as a Special Lecturer, continuing Livingston's longstanding tradition of passing practical tailoring knowledge from one generation of makers to another.

2025

In 2025, Andrew Livingston continued his longstanding professional connections within British bespoke tailoring with an extended working trip across the United States. Andrew travelled as part of a multi-city tailoring trip that included Washington, Dallas, Chicago and San Francisco. The trip continued an international tailoring career that had previously taken him to China and India while he remained based at the Livingston family shop in Castle Douglas.

2026

In 2026, G Livingston & Son marked 130 years in business, having begun trading in Castle Douglas on 16 January 1896. The anniversary was featured by Bruce McKenzie on ITV Border Life, telling the story of a family business that has developed from traditional bespoke tailoring into a fifth-generation menswear, womenswear and country clothing retailer while remaining at the heart of King Street, Castle Douglas.
Many thanks to Bruce McKenzie and ITV for the feature on Border Life for our 130th anniversary