Fashion tycoon Anders Holch Povlsen has remained the richest person in Scotland for the fifth year in a row, according to The Sunday Times Rich List.

The Danish billionaire saw his fortune grow to an estimated £8.287 billion over the last year, up from £7.704 billion in 2025.

Mr Povlsen is chief executive of international clothing retailer Bestseller, which was founded by his father, Troels Holch Povlsen, in 1975.

He is said to be Scotland’s largest private landowner and is an investor in SaxaVord Spaceport.

JK Rowling
JK Rowling is in eighth place on the list (Yui Mok/PA)

Glenn Gordon and family, of the whisky dynasty, remain in second place with estimated wealth of £4.745 billion, down from £6.398 billion last year.

Industrialist Sir Ian Wood and family are in third place with an estimated fortune of £1.876 billion, down from £1.914 billion the year before.

Lady Philomena Clark and family, owners of car retailer Arnold Clark, are in fourth place with an estimated fortune of £1.733 billion, up from £1.656 billion in 2025.

So-called “bus barons” Sandy and James Easdale are ranked fifth with an estimated fortune of £1.47 billion, little changed from last year when it was £1.46 billion.

A new entry to the list is Peter Hamilton who saved £1,300 from his job washing dishes in a pub in his teens to buy his first computer and is now in seventh place on the list with an estimated fortune of £1.081 billion.

We believe understanding where wealth lies and where it is being accumulated is an important part of a functioning democracy

Robert Watts, Sunday Times

He went on to set up Halo, a developer of software used by the Ministry of Justice, Microsoft, Red Bull and the University of Cambridge.

According to the list, JK Rowling’s wealth has grown by £30 million in a year and the Harry Potter author remains in eighth place with an estimated £975 million.

Tennis star Sir Andy Murray is the wealthiest Scot under 40 with an estimated fortune of £110 million, according to the list.

Robert Watts, compiler of the Sunday Times Rich List, said: “For nearly 40 years, The Sunday Times Rich List has analysed the fortunes of Britain’s most affluent people.

“We believe understanding where wealth lies and where it is being accumulated is an important part of a functioning democracy.

“Over the years, our research has told us a lot about our country, charting the way a generation of largely self-made entrepreneurs overtook the old money of the landed gentry.

“This year’s edition shines a light on fortunes made from artificial intelligence, driverless cars and crypto-currencies as well as baby milk, make-up, hoodies and other everyday items.

“We know many of our readers find those rags-to-riches stories of entrepreneurs who started out with little more than a laptop and an idea particularly inspiring.”

Meanwhile, the UK wide list found that one in six of the individuals and families who appeared on the list two years ago do not feature this time.

Mr Watts added: “Many foreign billionaires who have been living in the UK drop out because they have moved away.

“We have also seen a strong rise in the number of British nationals now resident in Dubai, Switzerland and Monaco. As UK nationals these people remain on our Rich List — wherever they now live.

“These two exoduses pose challenges for the UK economy and its public finances.”

The list can be viewed at thetimes.com/sunday-times-rich-list.