They were the original Tartan trendsetters, two best friends who cracked the notoriously difficult influencer industry – and seemingly had a ball as they did it.
Molly McFarlane and Megano Welsh forged such a close relationship they appeared to be besties for life, enjoying the kind of friendship many of their envious peers – and rivals – could only dream about.
Between them, the glamorous YouTube and Instagram duo amassed half a million Instagram followers and notched up tens of millions of views across social media, working for brands like ASOS, going on all expenses paid trips to luxury resorts in Barbados as well as starring together in a coveted BBC show The Agency: Unfiltered.
They were the envy of their followers; star guests at the best red-carpet events and parties, showing off their style tips for brands like Pretty Little Thing and BPerfect, even organising a gala charity event together which raised tens of thousands of pounds for worthy causes.
Everything about their friendship was broadcast online and through podcasts: at one point Megano was even meant to be Miss Molly’s bridesmaid before her engagement came to an end several years ago.
But that friendship and lucrative collaboration is nothing but a distant memory after the two former BFFs abruptly parted ways. Now, after their seemingly rock-solid partnership turned to dust, the internet is awash with speculation over what caused their friendship to founder.
Between them, the glamorous YouTube and Instagram duo amassed half a million Instagram followers and notched up tens of millions of views across social media
As one insider said: ‘They were like the Ant and Dec of the online world, and had such chemistry together, but they no longer champion one another online.
‘They used to have girly nights in, choosing one another’s tattoos, holding candid conversations together while eating Nando’s, painting ceramics or discussing boyfriends on YouTube. They were a real double act but now their winning friendship has just disappeared overnight.’
A red flag was raised when Megano and Miss Molly, as she’s known to her legion of online followers, appeared to unfollow one another on their Instagram accounts. Meanwhile, videos of themselves together disappeared from the platform.
And while Megano continues to star in the BAFTA award-winning BBC Scotland show, Miss Molly is nowhere to be seen on TV.
There is an obvious distance between the two girls and for the past year Miss Molly and Megano, once so close, have not been spotted in one another’s company.
Despite countless questions from followers, and online searches into their break-up as friends, they have not directly addressed their soured relationship.
Their devoted fans have been clamouring for answers online. Why are the two girls no longer speaking? Why are they no longer raking in thousands of pounds in videos together as a hot property and a desirable duo for big-name brand collaborations and promotions? What happened to their aspirational friendship? Was it something to do with their charity event?
On one online gossip site, one poster said: ‘Not sure, but my friend who is friends with Molly’s sister said Molly fell out with Megano… over something to do with the charity thing, Molly is now representing herself.’
Molly poses on Instagram. A red flag was raised when Megano and Miss Molly, as she’s known to her legion of online followers, appeared to unfollow one another on their Instagram accounts
Another added: ‘Has it been addressed as to why Molly… no longer seems to speak to anyone, not only just Megano? It is a bit strange how all involved have not made any sort of reference about it and if they have fallen out and it’s regarding their charity event I am not surprised one bit. As it grew it became a disaster waiting to happen.’
The two girls first met at an influencer event around six years ago. Miss Molly, 28, from Barrhead, Renfrewshire, and Megan, 26, from East Kilbride, Lanarkshire, who has been online since 2017, realised they had so much in common after finding their nine-to-five day jobs challenging in between making online content.
Miss Molly said of their friendship on a YouTube video: ‘Megan and I met a few years ago at a kind of sit-down afternoon tea thing. She was still working at the time and going to a new job but was really unhappy and posted about it. I had a similar experience so I messaged her and said I really enjoyed your video and you should be so proud of yourself putting it up.’
The rest was history.
The instantly relatable pair were in demand everywhere and joined Aquarius Creative, a Glasgow-based influencer agency run by Kirsten Cameron and Amy Moore.
Everything seemed to change in December 2023, following their huge charity bash, GirliesROut, which sold out in an hour and a half and raised £14,635 for Glasgow Women’s Aid.
Miss Molly suddenly decided it was time to fly solo and cut her ties to Aquarius agency – which had both her and Megano on their books.
She is now looked after by Hannah Scougall, who used to work with Aquarius Creative, and Miss Molly, who has admitted to having suffered anxiety in the past, has made a point of saying she is now ‘solo’.
Megano, like Molly, has addressed the change in relationships through her YouTube channel – though she has not directly talked about Miss Molly
In a 2024 podcast of her time with the agency, Miss Molly said: ‘It came last year, 2023, when I was having a meltdown about the job in general, just not enjoying it the way I used to.
‘It was just not for me. You do just outgrow things. There is no bad blood. I was constantly pushing myself out to do things I didn’t really want to with a big group of girls.’
She then added: ‘Every girl is amazing. There is no issue whatsoever. We travelled everywhere together. I’m 28 this year. No one stays in the same job for ten years. You have to change things up.
‘There’s things this year and next year I wanted to do on my own and I just didn’t want anybody else involved. It’s really hard to do when you are in the agency because there’s so many other girls and you are close with them and it’s just a hard environment. There is no issue.’
But then, perhaps tellingly, she added: ‘I’ve had my Saturn return early. That’s when your whole circle changes and you cut out any badness or bad energy. When season two came around I said no. I want to log off of Miss Molly in my thirties.’
Megano too has addressed the change in relationships through her YouTube channel – though she has not directly talked about Miss Molly.
She has admitted she is currently going through therapy and said recently: ‘Honestly I think friendship breakups are just as bad as relationship breakups. A friendship breakup is awful. I think unfortunately it’s just one of those things that’s going to take time. It’s very weird having to get on with life when they are no longer a part of it. It’s strange and it sucks and I think you just need to ride the wave and be with people, distraction. It sucks but it will all get better in time.’
In 2024 when the pair seemed to cool off their friendship Megano also said: ‘The start of this year was going sh** and there was a specific point when something happened when I thought I’ll never be the same.
‘Something happened and I know I have a lot of offer. I know I’m a good person, I know I have good intentions and I know I can bring a lot to the table whether it’s a relationship or friendship or work I know I have a lot to offer. Everyone should back themselves…’
