The firm was established as J & J Ogilvie in 1773 by John Ogilvie, possibly with the assistance of his brother, James. It represented many of the landed families in the area, particularly the Estate of Duntrune, as well as local companies such as Gourlay Bros & Co. George Ogilvie, who continued the practice until his death in 1912, was one of the founders of Dundee Social Union. In 1973-4 the name of the firm changed to Ogilvie, Cowan & Co.