Rattray, David

There were other lightweight frame builders in Scotland but the most prolific and well known has to be David Rattray’s Flying Scot and The Scot which were built in Glasgow between 1928 and 1983. The company manufactured approximately 15,000 frames which were a ‘must have’ amongst many serious club riders in Scotland.  Having said that, they did export some frames to England, Japan, British Guiana, Europe and the USA.

Although most of the frames were built to a racing specification they did cater for the tourer as well. It is said that frames built for touring were often badged ‘The Scot’ whereas the racing ones were ‘Flying Scot’.

One of the giveaway identifications for Rattray-built bikes is the strengthening piece on the inside of the fork blades from the crown down for about 5cm.

Flying Scot (1972) frame and fork number 75 P.  19” seat tube; 21” top tube;  17¼” chainstays. Head 72° x seat 72° . Forks oval to round with Rattray ‘long’ ends and 2¼” rake.  Prugnat smooth line Italian style lugs. 15” pump pegs brazed on down tube;  brake cable stops under top tube and gear cable stop on chainstay; Simplex rear ends; Allen key seat clip and wrap over stays;  Curved reinforced seat stay brake bridge.  Finished Dark Blue with white head tube and seat tube panel.  Chrome head lugs, fork crown front and rear ends.
The Flying Scot web site maintained by Bob Reid is a mine of valuable information on the marque with gallery of photographs, a guide to identification, and scanned catalogues.  After a period when it was unavailable it was restored by Bob in June 2008.