The Scots businessmen behind the Trespass outdoor clothing empire have stepped in to save one of Scotland's leading outdoor sportswear retailers and 80 jobs. The international sportswear company, Jacobs & Turner, which is based at Kinning Park, Glasgow, and is owned by brothers Afkal and Akmal Khushi has snapped up the Fort William-based Nevisport which was in liquidation.

The Khushis, who are ranked as Scotland's 42nd richest individuals, worth an estimated £105m, have bought the remaining six Nevisport stores in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Fort William, Aviemore, York and Middlesbrough, providing an instant market for their clothing brand. Nevisport branches in Newcastle, Leeds, Inverness, Glasgow and Altrincham closed last week.

Jacobs & Turner already has more than 20 stores around Britain and opened a store in the Xscape complex at Braehead in Glasgow last year.

Nevisport bosses blamed poor sales brought on by difficult trading and unseasonable weather for the liquidation.

Joint KPMG liquidator Blair Nimmo said: "I am delighted that we have managed to sell the business as a going concern. Not only has this saved jobs, but the sale also ensures that existing customers will continue to be serviced and that suppliers will have ongoing business.

"Since our appointment on October 5 the commitment shown by employees in working with us to preserve the business has been exceptional.

"This sale represents an excellent result for everyone involved and we would like to wish Jacobs & Turner Limited every success in the future."

Despite the international success of their business, the Khushi brothers, who are both in their mid-forties, shun publicity and would not comment on the sale yesterday.

Their father, Mohammad, who died in March, bought the company for just £1000 in 1966, 15 years after immigrating from India to Glasgow in 1951. The sons joined the business 30 years ago.

Their company recently recorded a pre-tax surplus of £7.6m in the year to June 30, 2006, down from £11.3m in the previous 12 months. Sales fell from £40m in 2005 to £35.5m.

Nevisport Ltd, founded in 1968, changed hands nearly three years ago when founders Ian Sykes and Ian Sutherland sold out to a three-strong management team headed by Bruce Cameron.

The business was established when the friends, both members of the Lochaber mountain rescue team, could not find the equipment they wanted in outdoor stores.

The company's headquarters and mail order office is in Fort William on the Ben Nevis Estate.

It has close links with the Nevis Range ski resort, with Mr Sykes acting as managing director for several years.