John Scott with his staff at 3 Bridge Street, before he moved to the present address.

The firm of Messrs John Scott was first formed towards the end of the 19th Century.

John Scott, originally from the island of Sanday, spent some time in the south of England before returning to his native Orkney to set up business at 3 Bridge Street, Kirkwall.

The firm was originally a licensed grocer but John Scott obviously saw some potential in other products and it was no time before he was also selling hardware.

After a while, the firm outgrew its premises and John Scott made the decision to move to 15-19 Bridge Street, where the company remains to this day.

In 1915, John Scott passed away and was laid to rest in the grounds of St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall.

The firm was put up for sale and was purchased by the partnership of Messrs Robert Marwick and Ralph Miller. Shortly after, Mr Marwick died suddenly, and Ralph took on the responsibility of the whole business.

In 1935, the company was appointed Calor Gas Dealers for Orkney: an appointment it retains to this day. Interestingly, Calor Gas only started trading in 1935 making John Scott & Miller one of the longest serving Dealerships in the UK.

Meridith Keyes (left) - the great-granddaughter of John Scott - from Everett, Washington State, USA. With current directors, Robert and Betty Miller.

After World War 2 the decision was taken to turn the firm into a limited company and so, on 29th December 1955, the firm was incorporated and its name was changed from 'John Scott' to 'John Scott & Miller Ltd'.

Over the years, since John Scott's days, the company has seen many changes in its product range.

In addition to Calor Gas, the company now boasts a comprehensive range of giftware, domestic hardware, and nursery products, and is also widely recognised as having one of the finest selections of Wines, Spirits, Liqueurs and Beers, in Scotland.

The company remains in the Miller Family to this day, having been run by Ralph's son, Robert Firth Miller, from the end of World War 2 until his son, also Robert, took over the reins in the early 1980's.

The present Directors of the company are Robert and Betty and their son and daughter Noel and Emma, all of whom play an active part in the running of the firm.