Flying Scot - Scotland's Premier 'Lightweight' Builder

”I have fond memories of Rattray's at Murray Street in the 1950’s and 60’s. It was the most complete bike shop you could ever ask for. On the ground floor was the main retail area, a large counter backed by a wall of shelves and little drawers which contained every conceivable thing you could want for a bike. The brown coated staff knew all the answers, and were all keen Flying Scot rider’s to a man. To the side was the door to the workshop, nobody was allowed in there, forbidden territory, but occasionally a dungaree’d individual in a cloth cap would emerge with a sparkling completed frameset” and take it upstairs to hang with dozens of others, ready for its new owner. You were allowed up there, a veritable Aladdin's cave. In those days as well as racing, they were widely used for commuting, and touring, a familiar sight in the beautiful Scottish countryside, a role now sadly consigned to the motor car. Sweet dreams are made of this!”. ARCHIE THOMSON, FLYING SCOT OWNER

Using my own and other owner's machines, photo's and with memories such as those by Archie Thomson, I hope to show just what made The Flying Scot bicycle so special to many in Scotland and around the world. Bob Reid (1998)

Latest News

Time moves on. The return for the website on 14th March 2019 after an absence of almost a year, brought back work that needed done before it was removed in June of last year - that and a lack of time to do anything about it!

DATA PROTECTION. A sensible policy but still compliant has been developed for the website. The basic policy was introduced on Sunday past .read the basic policy here

UPDATING THE GALLERY & FRAME REGISTER - The addition of new frames just grows and grows. Even without a trawl of Facebook & Flickr.so far 30 more need added since 14/3 alone. Thank goodness for folk’s patience!

WEBSITE IMPROVEMENTS - Like an old Scot, it is in need of a major refit, a slight change to the content but easier to use and keep up to date. Meanwhile, enjoy more of that 1998 Lighthouse Family experience whilst this goes on.

Finally - a big thank you to everyone for their patience since the middle of May.

Bob Reid Mon 3/6/2019

Identification
Apart from "how much is it worth" the most frequently asked question’s are "How old is my Flying Scot" ? and "How can I verify it is a Scot" Identifying the exact age of any Scot frame or bicycle can at best be difficult and at worst, almost impossible. More

History
In October 1900, David Rattray and his sister Agnes opened their first shop in McAslin Street, Glasgow. In doing so, they laid the foundations of a company that would go on to produce Scotland's premier lightweight bicycle, "The Scot", or perhaps better known as "The Flying Scot". Over a period of eighty-three years, their cycle shop would grow to become a focal point and meeting place for many cycle enthusiasts from Scotland and afar. More

Models
Whilst Rattrays produced bicycles and frames under the specific names, "Continental Model" "Continental Supreme" and "Queen of Scots", there is no firm means of identifying one from another, other than in finish and specification. More

Articles
A disparate collection of articles some related to the Scot's and some not. If you've any other articles to add of your own doing or would like to add a page for your own classic marque or speciality, please get in touch, and I'll host it here.....More

Gallery
These pages have become something of an unofficial Flying Scot Register and are, in the absence of the original production records, a good source for helping identify the various changes in style and construction that took place over the years. More

Flying Scot's all over the World (and the Wide Web)...

THE FLYING SCOT - BICYCLES(Facebook Group) a great place to go if you just want to talk about Flying Scot's, the components old and new that are or were fitted to them , ask questions or just to see even more Flying Scot’s. Thanks to Robert Martin
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THE FLYING SCOT BICYLE (FLICKR Group) A collection of folks personal Flying Scot photo's all in one place. Oh for the time to wade through over 2.8k photo's in the gallery. Group membership is required for the discussion part.