The History and Legacy of “Barlass”

Barlass Consulting Associates was named in honour of Catherine Douglas. In 1437 she risked her life to attempt to protect King James I of Scotland from assassins. She placed her arm through the door handles of his room after the locks had been removed by those executing a coup. Although in the end she did not prevent the assassination in future, her arm was broken in the attempt. Her courage and loyalty earned her the nickname “Barlass”, meaning “Girl of the Bar”

Our Modern Mission

Today, we aim to bring that same dedication and spirit to every client engagement. We always aim to;

  • Act with courage, challenging “conventional” ideas where necessary

  • Demonstrate loyalty, putting client interests at the top of our tasks, rather than our bottom line

  • Uphold principles and maintain ethical standards

  • Go above and beyond to deliver results

Our Evolution


Starting life as “Strategic Development and Consulting”, we have grown into Barlass Consulting Associates, serving diverse clients across multiple sectors, and maintaining our commitments. Our approach has evolved to address emerging challenges whilst ensuring we stay true to our core values and the spirit of our namesake.