THE SCOTTISH AMERICAN INVESTMENT COMPANY P L C

🌳Matureactive
SC000489 · plc · incorporated 1873-03-29
Investment thesis
Looks cheap but ownership + security both unclear — probable value trap.
Why interesting: Headline metrics may be attractive.
Why risky: No PSC visibility combined with multiple live charges; transacting likely slow and expensive.
🔒Estimated value
—
Upgrade to see
Turnover
—
not disclosed
Net worth
—
book net assets
Opportunity
77/100
Strong
🔔
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What this business does
Primary activity: Activities of investment trusts
Sector: Financial & insurance
Investor take
Pursue
Active trading company with a 72-year-old founder — textbook succession opportunity.

Opportunity 77/100 (strong), bankability 62/100. Strong seller-intent signal (65/100, director aged 72). Share purchase looks the cleaner deal structure. Biggest value-creation lever: Consolidate lender relationships. 5 distinct lenders creates friction — refinance into single-lender structure for cleaner diligence. Most likely exit: strategic trade sale (73/100).

🏦

Refinance opportunity

5 live charges · 5 lenders · oldest 43.4y

35/100
too messy

Refinance path is blocked by complexity. Rethink structure or expect bespoke, expensive terms.

  • · Oldest live charge is 43.4 years old — likely at or near maturity.
  • · 5 lenders named — inter-creditor friction likely.
  • · Legal-friction score 30/100 — workable, but lender will want more DD.

Data confidence

Overall: low (47/100)

Sparse data coverage. Treat AI-generated outputs as preliminary. Manual diligence essential.

Company profile
address, 1 SIC codes, incorporation date
100
Financials
No iXBRL financials extracted
0
Lenders & charges
5 charges (5/5 with lender, 5/5 with type)
90
Directors & officers
24 officers (6 active, 24 linked, 21 with DOB)
88
Ownership & PSC
No PSCs filed (unusual — worth investigating)
35
Director network
Network not yet resolved
30
Filing history
638 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
Opportunity Score
77/100Strong
PassWatchWorth a lookStrongExceptional 

Solid opportunity signal. Worth a dedicated memo and management meeting.

Business quality
70
Active, clean filings, stable charge profile.
Acquirability
70
Strong succession / seller-readiness signals.
Risk profile
77
Few red flags.
Signal strength
100
Good data coverage for analysis.

Recent activity

Last 30 days
10
filings
  • • 6 capital
  • • 1 accounts
  • • 1 confirmation-statement
Last 90 days
22
filings
  • • 18 capital
  • • 1 accounts
  • • 1 confirmation-statement
Last 180 days
25
filings
  • • 21 capital
  • • 1 accounts
  • • 1 confirmation-statement
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (70 events)Click to expand
  1. 2026-04-30
    📄
    capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
    capital · SH03
  2. 2026-04-29
    📄
    capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
    capital · SH03
  3. 2026-04-29
    📄
    capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
    capital · SH03
  4. 2026-04-27
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-full
    accounts · AA
  5. 2026-04-21
    📄
    capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
    capital · SH03
  6. 2026-04-20
    📄
    resolution
    resolution · RESOLUTIONS
  7. 2026-04-20
    📄
    capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
    capital · SH03
  8. 2026-04-17
    ➖
    MACPHERSON, Nicholas Ian, The Lord resigned
    director
  9. 2026-04-17
    📄
    termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
    officers · TM01
  10. 2026-04-10
    📄
    capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
    capital · SH03
  11. 2026-04-01
    📄
    capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
    capital · SH03
  12. 2026-03-27
    📄
    capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
    capital · SH03
  13. 2026-03-17
    📄
    capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
    capital · SH03
  14. 2026-03-16
    📄
    capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
    capital · SH03
  15. 2026-03-02
    📄
    capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
    capital · SH03
  16. 2026-02-27
    📄
    capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
    capital · SH03
  17. 2026-02-18
    📄
    capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
    capital · SH03
  18. 2026-02-13
    📄
    capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
    capital · SH03
  19. 2026-02-13
    📄
    capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
    capital · SH03
  20. 2026-02-10
    📄
    capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
    capital · SH03
  21. 2026-02-10
    📄
    capital-return-purchase-own-shares
    capital · SH03
  22. 2026-02-04
    📄
    capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
    capital · SH03
  23. 2026-01-30
    📄
    capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
    capital · SH03
  24. 2026-01-28
    📄
    capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
    capital · SH03
  25. 2026-01-28
    📄
    capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
    capital · SH03
  26. 2025-09-01
    ➕
    MACPHERSON, Rupert Angus appointed
    director
  27. 2024-04-04
    ➖
    CURTIS, Bronwyn Nanette resigned
    director
  28. 2024-02-20
    ➕
    SHUKLA, Padmesh appointed
    director
  29. 2022-04-26
    🔓
    Charge satisfied #3
  30. 2022-04-06
    ➕
    MONTGOMERY, Christine Ann appointed
    director
  31. 2022-04-05
    ➖
    MOON, Peter Geoffrey resigned
    director
  32. 2021-06-25
    🔒
    Charge registered #5
    Lender: Apex Corporate Trustees (UK) Limited (as Trustee for Itself and the Other Secured Creditors)
  33. 2021-04-01
    ➖
    HAGMAN, Eric resigned
    director
  34. 2019-04-04
    ➕
    LAMONT, Kathryn Elizabeth appointed
    director
  35. 2019-04-04
    ➖
    KERR, John Olav, Lord Kerr Of Kinlochard resigned
    director
  36. 2019-01-01
    ➕
    LESLIE, Mariot, Dame appointed
    director
  37. 2016-09-15
    ➕
    MACPHERSON, Nicholas Ian, The Lord appointed
    director
  38. 2016-04-04
    ➖
    IVORY, Brian Gammell, Sir resigned
    director
  39. 2014-11-17
    ➕
    CURTIS, Bronwyn Nanette appointed
    director
  40. 2014-07-01
    ➕
    BAILLIE GIFFORD & CO LIMITED appointed
    corporate-secretary
  41. 2014-07-01
    ➖
    BAILLIE GIFFORD & CO resigned
    corporate-secretary
  42. 2014-04-03
    ➖
    CAMPBELL, Walter Menzies, The Rt Hon Sir resigned
    director
  43. 2014-04-03
    ➖
    LOMAX, (Janis) Rachel resigned
    director
  44. 2012-04-05
    ➖
    PRICE, David William James, Exors Of resigned
    director
  45. 2008-10-01
    ➕
    LOMAX, (Janis) Rachel appointed
    director
  46. 2008-04-10
    ➖
    MORGAN, Janet Patricia, Doctor resigned
    director
  47. 2007-12-19
    ➕
    CAMPBELL, Walter Menzies, The Rt Hon Sir appointed
    director
  48. 2005-07-29
    ➕
    MOON, Peter Geoffrey appointed
    director
  49. 2005-03-24
    ➖
    BERRY, William resigned
    director
  50. 2005-02-09
    ➕
    HAGMAN, Eric appointed
    director
Showing most recent 50 of 70 events

Owner dependency

55/100
Moderate — manageable with handover

Some founder dependency, but not acute. A structured handover period should cover most risk.

FACTORS
  • -5 active directors: Broader management team in place — suggests transferable governance.
  • +Founder age: Director aged approximately 72 — succession pressure is live.

Succession & seller-readiness

60/100
Strong succession signal

Multiple signals suggest succession is on the horizon. Candidate for proactive outreach.

SIGNALS
  • primaryFounder aged 70+: Senior director is approximately 72 years old. Natural succession window is now.

Red flags

1 med ·
Charge satisfaction-then-recreation pattern
medium

Multiple instances where a charge was satisfied and a new charge created within 6 months. Suggests active refinancing cycle.

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Peers ranked by estimated value, then turnover, then opportunity score.See all →
🔒Tailored diligence questions

7 specific questions generated from this company's actual signals — liquidity, leverage, director age, charge count, red flags, age-of-company.

Available from the Pro tier upwards.

See pricing →
🔒Advanced scoring suite

Exit-route ranking, improvement thesis, quiet-distress detector, covenant-pressure proxy, extraction monitor, approaching triggers, ownership drift, local cluster, value trap, debt capacity, archetype classification — 48+ scoring modules.

Available from the Pro tier upwards.

See pricing →

Company details

Statusactive
Typeplc
Incorporated1873-03-29
Jurisdictionscotland
Primary SIC64301 — Activities of investment trusts

Registered office

Calton Square
1 Greenside Row
Edinburgh
EH1 3AN

Filing status

Accounts
Next due: 2027-06-30
Last made up to: 2025-12-31
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2027-04-25
Last: 2026-04-11

Officers (6 active · 18 resigned)

BAILLIE GIFFORD & CO LIMITED→
corporate-secretary · appointed 2014-07-01
View their other companies + combined net worth →
Active
LAMONT, Kathryn Elizabeth→
director · ~58y · appointed 2019-04-04
View their other companies + combined net worth →
Active
LESLIE, Mariot, Dame→
director · ~72y · appointed 2019-01-01
View their other companies + combined net worth →
Active
MACPHERSON, Rupert Angus→
director · ~60y · appointed 2025-09-01
View their other companies + combined net worth →
Active
MONTGOMERY, Christine Ann→
director · ~65y · appointed 2022-04-06
View their other companies + combined net worth →
Active
SHUKLA, Padmesh→
director · ~55y · appointed 2024-02-20
View their other companies + combined net worth →
Active
BAILLIE GIFFORD & CO→
corporate-secretary · appointed 2004-01-01 · resigned 2014-07-01
Resigned
FIRST STATE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT (UK) LIMITED→
corporate-secretary · resigned 2003-12-31
Resigned
BERRY, William→
director · ~87y · resigned 2005-03-24
Resigned
CAMPBELL, Walter Menzies, The Rt Hon Sir→
director · ~85y · appointed 2007-12-19 · resigned 2014-04-03
Resigned
CURTIS, Bronwyn Nanette→
director · ~78y · appointed 2014-11-17 · resigned 2024-04-04
Resigned
HAGMAN, Eric→
director · ~80y · appointed 2005-02-09 · resigned 2021-04-01
Resigned
HAMILTON-DALRYMPLE, Hew Fleetwood, Sir→
director · ~100y · resigned 1993-03-24
Resigned
IVORY, Brian Gammell, Sir→
director · ~77y · appointed 2000-09-13 · resigned 2016-04-04
Resigned
KERR, John Olav, Lord Kerr Of Kinlochard→
director · ~84y · appointed 2002-09-18 · resigned 2019-04-04
Resigned
LOMAX, (Janis) Rachel→
director · ~81y · appointed 2008-10-01 · resigned 2014-04-03
Resigned
MACPHERSON, Nicholas Ian, The Lord→
director · ~67y · appointed 2016-09-15 · resigned 2026-04-17
Resigned
MCCOLL, Colin Hugh Verel, Sir→
director · ~94y · appointed 1996-01-17 · resigned 2004-03-24
Resigned
MELLON, James, Sir→
director · ~97y · resigned 1996-03-27
Resigned
MOON, Peter Geoffrey→
director · ~77y · appointed 2005-07-29 · resigned 2022-04-05
Resigned

Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.

Mortgages & charges

5
Total charges
1
Outstanding
1
Active lenders
Status:Lender:5 of 5 shown
TypeProperties
outstanding
Apex Corporate Trustees (UK) (as Trustee for Itself and the Other Secured Creditors)
Apex Corporate Trustees (UK) Limited (as Trustee for Itself and the Other Secured Creditors)
A registered charge—25/06/2021—
satisfied
Irg Trustees
Irg Trustees Limited
Floating charge1 property27/06/200012/02/2002
satisfied
Royal Exchange Trust Company
Royal Exchange Trust Company Limited
Floating charge1 property10/04/199726/04/2022
satisfied
Caledonian Insurance Company
Floating charge1 property22/06/198308/01/2001
satisfied
Caledonian Insurance Company as Trustees
Floating charge1 property15/12/198202/09/1983
Click column headers to sort. Use filters above to narrow by status and lender.

Recent filings (638 total)

capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
capital · SH03
2026-04-30
capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
capital · SH03
2026-04-29
capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
capital · SH03
2026-04-29
accounts-with-accounts-type-full
accounts · AA
2026-04-27
capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
capital · SH03
2026-04-21
confirmation-statement-with-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2026-04-20
resolution
resolution · RESOLUTIONS
2026-04-20
capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
capital · SH03
2026-04-20
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2026-04-17
capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
capital · SH03
2026-04-10
capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
capital · SH03
2026-04-01
capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
capital · SH03
2026-03-27
capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
capital · SH03
2026-03-17
capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
capital · SH03
2026-03-16
capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
capital · SH03
2026-03-02