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One of Forfar’s best known businesses, Ramsay Ladders, is celebrating 80 years of being a step above.

The company was founded by brothers Robert and Scott Ramsay in 1946.

Scott and Andrew “Gordon” Lowson are the third generation of the family to run the company, which manufactures and sells aluminium ladders, platforms, bespoke products and even football goals across the UK.

Ramsay Ladders is synonymous in the domestic market for its iconic folding loft ladder.

And what sets the firm apart, Scott says, is its commitment to quality products which last decades.

“It would be cheaper to reduce the amount of aluminium in our ladders by a fraction of a millimetre, and save a few pence here and there.  But we’ve never skimped on the materials we use,” he says.

“There are cheaper products out there, but we are not going down that line.  Our customers are relying on our products to keep them safe.  And our ladders and products are superior in quality, and last for decades.”

Ramsay Ladders has a strong connection with Forfar, having sponsored Forfar Athletic in the 1980s, including the league division two winning season of 1984.

The firm has two sites in the town, where they produce their ladders and access platforms.

Some staff have worked for the company for almost 50 years, and the order books are as busy as they have ever been, adds the fourth generation of Ramsays in the business, Matthew Lowson.

Matthew is the company’s finance manager, and son of director Andrew.

He explained the majority of Ramsay Ladders custom is in the commercial market, with sales south of the border particularly strong.

The company is up against cheaper competitors from China and Europe, but demand for quality products from trade and commercial customers keeps the order books full.

And by future proofing the business, Matthew says they can look to hit the 100 year milestone and beyond.

“We are impacted by rising costs and things like that, but the last few years have been really positive,” he says.

“Expanding into new markets abroad is something we would consider.  But consolidating our base in Scotland and continuing to grow in England is the priority.

“We have invested in machinery and our sites recently, creating jobs and future proofing the business.

“Staff numbers have increased over the last three years, and that is probably going to continue.

“For the first time ever we had staff on overtime in January and February, the order book was so full.”

This article appeared in The Courier on 20 March 2026