William Bilsland

Sir William Bilsland LLD (17 March 1847 – 27 August 1921) was a Scottish baker who owned one of Scotland's largest bakeries, and was Lord Provost of Glasgow.

He was born on 17 March 1847 at Ballat near Balfron, the son of Ann Blair and James Bilsland, a farmer.

[1] He was educated at Dalmanoch school in Bonhill living there with his uncle, Dr Alexander Leckie.

Workers were well-paid, worked a 40-hour maximum week, unusual for the time, and all received free bread.

Together they had two children, Agnes Anne (1896-1970) and Steven Bilsland, who inherited the business on his death.