A. & J. Scott originated as Scott, Mitchell & Co., a firm of house painters co-founded by Archibald Scott in Glasgow, Scotland in the 1850s. In c.1863 resigned and went into partnership with his brother, James Scott. Archibald Scott died in c.1868 and was succeeded by his son, also named James. When he died in 1890, his son, John Scott took over the running of the business. During all these years the name A. & J. Scott was retained