Automotive firms dominated the Top 100 Scottish Family Firms rankings with a collective turnover of £5.4 billion. 

The Top 100 recognises family-owned firms in Scotland that make a vital contribution to the economy and motor retail was the dominant industry sector in this year's list, accounting for eight of the Top 100 firms.

Among the sector's success stories were retail groups Arnold Clark Automobiles, John Clark Motor Group, Eastern Western Motor Group, Peoples Limited and Cameron Group.

Collectively, family-run motor retail businesses generated 32% of the total turnover of the Top 100.

Arnold Clarke was the best performer in the turnover league after generating £3.4 billion.

The AM100 group's chief executive and group managing director, Eddie Hawthorn (pictured), said: “Sir Arnold Clark began the company in 1954 with just one showroom.

“Although we’re now a UK business of over 11,000 employees, Sir Arnold’s family members still make a huge contribution to the everyday running of the business, and his strongly held business philosophy – of offering genuine value for money and customer service of the highest level - continues to define the company to this day.”

Tom Craig, chairman of Craig Corporate and Family Business United Scotland, said: “This research quantifies their very significant contribution both in financial terms and in supporting vital jobs and training.

"Scotland’s onshore GDP is £149 billion – the top 100 family businesses account for an impressive 11% of that and the motor sector is a key contributor to these numbers.”

FBU Scotland’s founder, Paul Andrews, said: “The findings of this report are crucial in helping to demonstrate the significant impact that family firms have across Scotland and to help show that Scottish family firms, those in the motor sector in particular, are great, make a big difference and are a real force for good across the country.“