The website Norris refers too is the now semi-defunct 'BikeBrothers' website
(of which I am one of the brothers!). We had (have) a section devoted to
Wester Ross bike. I have re-uploaded it here for the time-being.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/
BTW, John Connell made no 'mistake' in trying sell his frames as 'better' because of this supposed 0.020" accuracy (this accuracy is attainable with the machines he used, although obviously not necessary) wouldn't anyone advertise that fact if they were trying to make money in a highly competitive business? John Connell's 'mistake' was having a stroke, which left him disabled and having to give up framebuilding.
Dodgy dealings in Scotland? That is often said about people who receive subsidiaries from local government agencies, jealousy I presume.
John Connell is a lovely, gentle chap but still with a bit of that Yorkshire grit....and he still cycles.
Nic Henderson
Newport
S.Wales.
U.K
>
> On 20 Aug 2005, at 09:51, Norris Lockley wrote:
>
>>
>> I suspect that you could respray a Wester Ross and add Flying Scot
>> decals...and no one could tell the difference. Some of his frames owe
>> something to the lugged frames of Jack Taylor..that sort of British
>> tradition. The company did not last long but its reputation still stands
>> proud; the production was small, as I gather, but of lasting quality.
>
> John McConnel arrived on the scene as Rattrays production in Scotland was
> running down after more than 50 years of framebuilding. He produced in
> penny numbers in comparison of course and to all accounts that I've heard
> they were reasonably well made frames, but nothing of the 'Scot' calibre
> prior to say 1973 when the last working partner of David Rattray, Jack
> Smith, died. Scot's produced beyond that time can be a mixed bag. The
> one remaining framebuilder still in the trade, appears to have built some
> quite exemplary frames during this period (and continues to by all
> accounts). Rattrays sales and popularity are a good measure of their
> quality given that it was a small company and not a larger concern like
> Claud Butler or Holdsworth. They employed at the peak in the 50s only
> five framebuilders, and though rarely if ever, felt the need to advertise
> beyond the Scottish club scene, they were still spread round the globe.
> Contrast this with the Wester Ross adverts and appearances at York on an
> annual basis. Of course he couldn't have picked a place much further away
> from civilisation to br producing frames, whereas Rattray's were at the
> (Scottish) heart of it.
>
> If you can't spot the difference between a Scot and a Wester Ross, you
> can't be looking hard enough... I'd reckon Connel's biggest mistake was
> to try and sell his frames as "better" because of this supposed 0.020"
> accuracy figure he touted in the CTC gazettes. There were some stories
> about his time in Aultbea in the far north of Scotland and in respect of
> some dodgy dealings with subsidies he received in return for local
> employment, but the exact detail if any escapes me right now.
>
> Of course you would expect me to say all this...:-)
>
> Best regards,
>
> Bob Reid
> Stonehaven
> Scotland
>
> http://www.fying-scot.co.uk