Classic Edinburgh Longcase picture Just as in England and the rest of Europe, Scottish clocks and watches developed their own distinctive styles. These styles relate both to the period in which the item was made, as well as to the town or district. Individual makers also developed their own characteristic designs. Up until the early 19th century, even without reference to the name on the dial, it is normally possible to identify the period of manufacture as well as area of manufacture.
It is important to appreciate however that the name on the dial is not always what it seems. The maker's name and location on the dial promotes a romantic image of a solitary clockmaker in a small workshop making a complete clock from start to finish. In fact, this was almost never the case. From the earliest times, a finished clock would be the product of a number of different craftsmen.
Not surprisingly, given the different components of a clock, the clockmaker would need to draw on the skills of a number of different specialists to produce the finished article. The case would be produced by a cabinet maker, the dial may have been bought in from a specialist dialmaker or brass founder, the engraving may have been done by a specialist engraver, etc. Furthermore most clockmakers would have their own employees and apprentices, all making parts of the finished clocks.
The clockmaker might have made the movement, but from the mid-eighteenth century onwards many component parts of the movements may have been bought in from specialist manufacturers - pinion makers, hand makers, wheel cutters - until eventually complete movements might be bought in and 'finished' by the ‘maker’. By the mid to late 19th century the entire clock may have been manufactured in a factory, and the name on the dial would simply be that of the retailer of the finished article.
The following is a gallery of some representative Scottish clocks, illustrating the development of their design over time, as well as specific regional characteristics.
18th Century Clocks
Classic Edinburgh Longcase picture
Classic West of Scotland 14" dial 
Classic Aberdeen Acanthus leaf case
19th Century Clocks
Four Seasons painted dial
Drumhead
Bow front longcase
Although many clocks and watches have Scottish names on the dial, it does not follow that they are of Scottish origin. From the 1830s onwards, many clocks and watches were imported from England, France, Germany and the United States. It was a common practice for the name of the local retailer to be added to the dial.
Prescot Watch
American clock with Scottish Retailer’s name