Creelers Restaurant and Smokehouse on Arran was founded by Tim and Fran James, who run the business personally.

Tim and Fran have been associated with the west of Scotland all their lives. Tim started work as a fisherman twenty-five years ago and more recently founded the Arran Smokehouse. This produces the highest quality smoked products and trades separately under the name of Arran Smoked Products, selling through its shop, by mail order and in selected retail outlets (see Smokehouse and Shop).

The restaurant is called Creelers, the name originating from the fact that much of the shellfish is caught in creels, often from their own boat the Julie-Ann, in the seas around Arran. All the seafood is brought fresh to the restaurant daily by Tim, who also sells the produce at Farmers Markets in Edinburgh and Stirling (see Farmers Markets).