Meet the Kingdom Scotland Founder
Kingdom Scotland was founded in Scotland by Imogen Russon-Taylor.
‘I founded Kingdom Scotland with a simple yet ambitious vision: to create Scotland’s first fragrance house and to bottle the stories, landscapes, and spirit of my homeland in scent. What began as a dream has grown into a journey I could never have imagined - and one I am so grateful to be sharing with an ever-growing community of fragrance lovers around the world.
My inspiration began in the aromatic world of Scotch whisky. For nearly 20 years, I worked in whisky and luxury goods, both in Scotland and internationally, with brands such as LVMH - Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, Chivas Regal, Edrington, Rolls Royce, Hugo Boss and Brown Forman. I was struck by the deep connection between whisky and perfume: both born from distillation, both sensory journeys of complexity and craft, and both shaped by the natural ingredients and traditions that give them character.
In 2016, after years of research and study, I began developing what would become Kingdom Scotland - a collection of perfumes rooted in sustainability, science and nature. My background in earth sciences at Edinburgh University shaped my love of landscape, geology and the natural world, which are at the heart of every fragrance we create.
We launched in 2019 with Harvey Nichols and Gleneagles, and since then our journey has been marked by collaborations, I am deeply proud of: working with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh to create Kingdom Botanica (supporting vital biodiversity research), and partnering with The Macallan to craft their first co-branded scented candles — now sold globally.
In 2024, I was honoured to be awarded Business Woman of the Year at the Power of Inspiration Awards for Business Women Scotland - a recognition that I share with everyone who has supported and believed in Kingdom Scotland since the beginning.
And now, in 2025, we are entering a thrilling new chapter: new perfumes, new projects, and the exciting step of bringing Kingdom Scotland to Europe and the US.
This is only the beginning. I am proud of how far we have come, humbled by the support of our customers and followers, and excited for the future we are creating together. I warmly invite you to join us on this journey and to discover the beauty, depth and imagination of Scotland in scent.’
Imogen Russon-Taylor, Founder & CEO, Kingdom Scotland
Imogen's Inspiration
What does the power of scent mean to you?
I believe that smell our most powerful sense! Scent has been so important for me right back to being a little girl. I remember, as a child, intently watching my glamorous Grandmother get ready, from her powdery smelling lipsticks to her Youth Dew bath oils to her prolific use of Opium perfume – these are all scent experiences etched into my memory, never to be forgotten now she is gone. Scent can transport you, calm you, ground you, and make you feel confident and alive. Scent certainly enriches my life and I am so happy to be working with the power of scent and encouraging others to explore and dive into their own olfactory worlds.
Scottish Perfumery is becoming increasingly appreciated in the international niche market, with many new brands emerging. What strengths and innovations do you believe Scottish Perfumery brings to the industry?
Yes, it is so exciting that Scotland is now firmly on the map in the world of perfumery! Scotland has some of the most beautiful landscapes the world has to offer, this is certainly at the core of our inspiration for the Kingdom Scotland scents. Scotland also has a pioneering history in the worlds of botany, exploration, technology, engineering, literature and politics, it is exciting to see this pioneering spirit turn to the world of fragrance.
Sustainability is also much higher up on the agenda in Scotland, for example, renewables generate almost all of Scotland’s electricity, mostly from our wind power. This focus on long term sustainability is encouraged in all Scottish businesses from start-ups to multinational whisky companies and is a foundation of Kingdom Scotland’s products and business process.
Kingdom Scotland is a pioneering Scottish Niche Fragrance Brand. How did the botanical and aromatic richness of Scotland inspire Kingdom Scotland, and which botanicals from the country do you find particularly fascinating within perfumery?
The drama and beauty of the natural world is at the very heart of Kingdom Scotland – from the creative start of a new fragrance; to the selection of ingredients; to the final scent reveal. Kingdom Scotland is all about telling stories in scent and the majestic natural landscape is a constant source of inspiration. We are very proud to have a partnership with The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE), who were established in 1670 and have a long unparalleled history of botanical adventure and protection.
Scotland also has a long history in the world of apothecary, the RBGE actually started life as a physic apothecary garden, healing nobility. I find the scented botanicals grown here with a medicinal aspect particularly fascinating - such as Artemisia Absinthium (Wormwood), Marigold (Calendula Officinalis), Geranium, and Lavendula Angustifolia (Lavender).
And, of course, the illuminating gorse. This bright yellow flower shrub covers many Scottish hills and paths and has that unmissable coconut aspect in summer.
How does the botanical richness and biodiversity of Scotland reflect in your fragrances?
Our fragrances are incredibly complex and each has over 35 aromatic ingredients or more. Our Kingdom Botanica fragrance created in collaboration with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is what I would call botanical maximalism! It is an explosion of complex botanicals, florals and woods. Our profits go towards vital biodiversity research at the RBGE in the face of climate change, something we are very proud of.
With a background in whisky, how did this experience inspire you, and how does it reflect within Kingdom Scotland’s fragrances?
I worked for over 20 years in the world of Scotch whisky and am definitely inspired and influenced by the complex aromatic world of whisky. My nose was trained in the drinks industry, which I think is quite different in the world of perfumery. I approach innovation in a different way, I use different expressions and language and I always try to deliver a ‘sense of place’ in my scents which is what whisky does so very well.
Can you tell us more about your ethos and approach to slow fragrance?
I think working in whisky has definitely had a huge influence on me. It can take decades to release a whisky. Kingdom Scotland has brought this slow influence of the time and patience required to craft and appreciate an extraordinary spirit into our perfume creation.
Slow fragrance, to me, is the meticulous art and craft of creating a complex and revealing scent, the patience, the care, and restraint it requires, it all takes time, but is so worth it.
Slow fragrance is conscious and mindful, close to traditional methods as opposed to our fast and hectic lives. Slow perfumes are conceived, created and appreciated in a different way. They require a sense of intelligence, awareness and contemplation to really enjoy and experience them.