Two black Rolls-Royces pull up and the suited Easdale brothers, Sandy and James, leave their security detail behind to head into Glasgow's smartest hotel. Picture them then, if you will, as teenagers, elbow deep in filthy work at their father's scrap metal yard cutting, cleaning and separating cables and you'll see how far they've come.
'James has got a better smile than me,' says Sandy to the photographer as they pose in the grand salon. Sandy wears the lace-up brogues, the sensible older brother perhaps, while James, the younger, with the ready smile, wears loafers.The two brothers as children.
Are they the last billionaire brothers still talking? They laugh at the suggestion and give one another a bear hug. 'She came from a bit of money and she was an inspiration to us in business. She'd always say, 'Do it, you might not get the opportunity again.' She bought an old sugar factory near us and split it into 12 separate industrial units. It was innovative in its day and we still earn money from it 40 years on.Even as gangly teenagers, the pair shared a small bedroom with a toy box between two beds. It was a simple enough childhood with the present of a Chopper each a highlight.
The brothers spent ten years in food and beverage – buying local pubs in Greenock which are now leased out. They invested in factories, commercial sites and office buildings where revenue could be more easily realised. Other ongoing projects include £800 million of property developments including a 130-acre site in Glenrothes and a 70-acre project at the former IBM site in Greenock. 'A really good business takes 25 years to flourish and we have to keep investing,' says Sandy.
They've been known to kick up their heels in Mayfair, can't bear 'Dom' and their tipple of choice is 'Rui' . 'It's the same with boats – we'd rather rent them and dump them. To keep them in top condition is a waste of money.''We can't go in garages,' replies Sandy deadpan. 'I went in with my friend while he got his Porsche serviced and I came out with a new one.'
'We pull the shutters down easily. We're always on the attack and we're so close we can tell if someone is clumsily trying to cosy up to us,' says Sandy.