ABOUT
Roofing Contractors Since 1946 – Celebrating 80 Years
From post-war beginnings in 1946 to becoming one of Scotland’s most trusted heritage roofing experts, discover the story, the people, and the passion behind Bain & Irvine.
Every great company has a story, and ours begins just after the Second World War. In 1946, returning servicemen George Irvine and Jimmy Bain founded Bain & Irvine as a partnership. Armed with traditional skills, a relentless work ethic, and a vision to rebuild their local communities, they laid the foundation for a business that would stand the test of time.
In 1974, the company caught the eye of Andrew Millar, the Managing Director of an elite roofing firm, who purchased the business on one strict condition: the trusted Bain & Irvine name had to remain. Under Andrew’s guidance, the company flourished until his passing in 2004, setting the stage for a new generation of roofing excellence.
In October 1987, Andrew’s nephew, Graeme Millar, joined Bain & Irvine. This wasn’t just a new job for Graeme; it was a continuation of his bloodline. Graeme became a 5th-generation roofing contractor, following directly in the footsteps of his great-great-grandfather, William, who was the master slater responsible for the breathtaking roof of Edinburgh’s iconic Fettes College.
Through the decades—including navigating the challenging 2008 recession—we didn’t just survive; we adapted. We invested heavily in staff retention, cutting-edge Health & Safety protocols, and advanced training.
This dedication to the craft pushed Bain & Irvine into the national spotlight. Under Graeme’s leadership, we became a multi-time winner of the Scottish Roofing Contractor of the Year award (2009, 2010, and 2016). Graeme’s expertise eventually saw him elected as the President of the UK National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) and the President of the International Federation of Roofing Trades (IFD) in 2019.
A remarkable family photograph taken in 1914 shows Bain & Irvine Director Graeme Millar’s great-grandfather (standing at the rear) and his 14-year-old grandfather (in the front) working on a roof in Tipperlinn Road, Morningside.
In a wonderful full-circle moment, coinciding with our company’s 80th anniversary this year, our team recently returned to that very same street to carry out a specialist roofing and masonry project. From generation to generation, our commitment to traditional slate, precise leadwork, and lime pointing remains completely unchanged. We are incredibly proud to continue preserving Edinburgh’s architectural heritage today.
As we look to the future, Bain & Irvine continues to grow, evolve, and attract the best talent in the industry.
Recently, we proudly expanded our family by joining forces with the exceptional team from Newtown Roofing and Building. Founded in 2020 by Jamie Anderson and Brian McIntyre, Newtown quickly earned a stellar reputation across Central Scotland for outstanding craftsmanship and modern customer care.
Today, Jamie serves as our Managing Director and Brian as our Operations Manager. Together, they bring over 30 years of combined hands-on experience to the helm, perfectly bridging our historic roots with dynamic, forward-thinking leadership. (Mentioned in Specifier Review).
Whether you need a full New Roof Installation, emergency repairs, or complex heritage conservation, you are in the safest hands in Scotland.
NFRC Scottish Roofing Contractor of the Year (2009, 2010, 2016).
We are officially on the NFRC National Heritage Register and approved for work on historic, pre-1919 buildings.
Constructionline Gold Member, SafeContractor, and CHAS Elite.
Led by a dedicated team of time-served roofers and heritage specialists.
We strive to provide our clients with roofing services of the highest standard.
Bain & Irvine is a proudly verified company with multiple industry accreditations and a multi-time winner of the Scottish Roofing Contractor of the Year award:
2009 | 2010 | 2016
Call our local team directly, or fill out the form to tell us how we can help.
