The Real List of Local Private Investigator Agencies in Scotland

The Real List of Local Private Investigator Agencies in Scotland — Exposing the Impostors From Google

If you’re searching for a private investigator in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow – or anywhere in Scotland – you’ll find genuine agencies like Dion International, Pegasus Investigations, Boothroyd Associates, Clinton McCraig, and Grant & McMurtrie. These firms have a legitimate Scottish footprint. But don’t be fooled by the dozens of others—many masquerade as local while operating out of England and Wales with bogus details, from fictional offices to made-up manpower. We’ve named most of them here—so you don’t waste your time or money.

Honouring Genuine Scottish private investigator Agents

  • Dion International – Based in Edinburgh, with ex-British government agency personnel operating across Scotland. Known for transparency, legal compliance, and rapid deployment.
  • Pegasus Investigations Ltd – 20+ years, active in Edinburgh.

  • Boothroyd Associates – 45+ years, with an office in Glasgow

  • Clinton McCraig – Genuine operators serving the Scottish market, no flash, just honest service.

  • Grant & McMurtrie – Full-time Scottish investigation team

These firms are fully rooted in Scotland, with actual teams and infrastructure on the ground.

The Misleading “Scottish” PI Firms to Avoid

  1. Bond Rees – Edinburgh façade, Wales central operations

  2. Covert LTD – Claims “Edinburgh PI”; likely virtual front

  3. Edinburgh Private Detectives – Generic EH3 virtual office; no local team

  4. Global Investigations – Lists Glasgow/Edinburgh but in London

  5. PEL Consultancy Services – Edinburgh page, but based in London

  6. Insignis Investigations – Presents as Scottish but run remotely

  7. I-Spy Detective Agency – Another company related to Bond Rees, but rebranded to fraudulent activities

  8. Nationwide Investigations Group – Uses Edinburgh but operate out of London

  9. Virtual Edinburgh Investigations – Transparent virtual-office presence

  10. Private Eye Scotland – Virtual-only storefront and connected to a company in London

  11. Principal Investigations – UK with no evidence of Scottish staff

  12. Private Investigations UK / UK Private Investigators / UK PI Solutions – Networked brands, not Scotland-based

  13. Intime Investigations – Digital-only presence, no local operatives in Scotland

  14. Vilcol Investigations – Uses Edinburgh branding but based in Surrey

  15. Rosewood Investigations – London HQ, not local to Scotland

  16. Trojan Investigations – Markets in Aberdeen/Edinburgh, but addresses point to England

  17. Bluemoon Investigations – Established firm, but England-based

  18. Impartial Investigations – Virtual presence; not rooted locally

  19. Investigate / Investigate Ltd – Generic UK network with no Scottish staff

  20. Tremark Associates – Global process-serving, no boots-on-ground for Scotland

  21. Anderson Chance – Markets as Scotland-based, but operations are London-centric

  22. Hunter Private Investigators – Generic reach, not based in Scotland

  23. Low Cost Detectives – Budget-focused, not truly local

  24. Edinburgh Private Detectives – Generic name used by multiple virtual-office firms, Glasgow etc

  25. Aggregator platform, not an investigative agency, which shares your case across the whole of the UK to the cheapest unvetted bidder

These setups may look attractive online—but when it comes to execution, you’re relying on outsourced casework to low-cost, remote teams with limited local insight.

Why Putting Your Trust in These Firms Can Backfire

  • Response delays – Cases will be dispatched from south of the border, not Scotland. (Subcontracted to under-qualified staff over open networks) Potentially with your information open across the internet.

  • Limited local insight – No knowledge of Scottish law, landscape, or courts.

  • Weak evidence chains – Unverified subcontractors may compromise GDPR or court standards.

  • Hidden fees – Extra travel/admin costs often tucked into your bill.

  • Misleading credibility – Virtual addresses manipulate trust signals.

What Makes Dion International the Best Choice

FeatureDion InternationalImpostor Agencies
HQ & PresenceActual Edinburgh office and local teamVirtual places operating out of bases not in Scotland
Staff CredentialsFull-Time Vetted Staff, Ex British Government Agency Backgrounds, training accreditedUnvetted subcontractors who have been contacted through open networks and appointed to conduct your case on the fact that they are the cheapest, not because they can do the job professionally.
Senior PI AccessSpeak with your lead investigator from the startRouted through call-centres and you will never be in direct contact with the lead investigator on the ground.  No trust due to subcontracting your case out and they don’t want client poaching.
Evidence IntegrityGDPR-compliant, signed, court-qualityInconsistent or weak standards
Pricing Transparency£35–£275/hr + £0.60/mile clarityHidden, add-on charges.  Likely paying for 2 or more investigators while they send out 1 so they can provide local prices and still make money.  
Deployment Speed1–2 hour mobilisation anywhere across ScotlandDelays, London etc-based rollout, but usually passed to unvetted subcontractors over open networks, if they even deploy at all.

Choose Dion International for real local service, fast results, legal-grade reporting, and complete transparency.

Vetting Guide: How to Spot a Real Scottish PI

  1. Confirm Companies House registration.

  2. Ask where the investigators are based and deployed from, if Scotland ask about the subcontractors credentials, experience and if you can be put in direct contact with them, if not, please avoid!

  3. Demand the detailed fee schedule (rate + travel).

  4. Verify professional credentials like ex-police or military service.

  5. Ensure evidence chain: GDPR compliance, logs, signed affidavits etc.

What You Get with Dion International

  • Rapid dispatch (within 1–2 hours) across Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Inverness

  • Full service suite: Covert Surveillance, Digital Forensics, Matrimonial, Corporate, Asset Tracing, Counter-Surveillance, Claims Investigations

  • Transparent quotes: £35–£275/hr + 60p/mile, no hidden costs

  • Court-ready documentation, trusted by lawyers, firms, and individuals alike

Book Your Free Consultation

  • 30-minute, no-obligation call with an Edinburgh senior investigator

  • Call now: +44 (0) 131 212 5900

  • Email us: [email protected]

Avoid the impostors—Choose a team with a real local presence, proven expertise, and complete transparency—not just clever marketing.

Important Note

This information is accurate as of 2025. Please note that the private investigation landscape can change over time. We recommend verifying each company using the vetting guide above. By following these steps, you can avoid misleading operators and make an informed, professional decision when hiring a Scottish private investigator.

Share Posts

Insurance Fraud

Navigating the Complex Landscape of Insurance Fraud: Why Dion International Ltd is Your Ideal Partner In an era where insurance fraud schemes are becoming increasingly intricate, the need for expert

Read More »

Can Surveillance Help Your Business?

How Can Covert Surveillance Help My Business? Covert surveillance can help businesses by identifying and mitigating risks such as internal theft, employee misconduct, and fraudulent activity. By discreetly monitoring suspicious

Read More »
Dion International Whatsapp Business qr code

Ready to Join the Family? Let's Get Started.