Our Heritage
For over a century, the Sleigh family name has been synonymous with excellence, service, and innovation in Scotland’s motor and travel industries.
The Sleigh’s story is a testament to innovation and adaptability, rooted in a rich heritage that spans over a century. It began in 1889 with the founding of the Ross & Sleigh Cycle Company, which evolved into a prestigious automobile dealership known as Rossleigh. The company’s commitment to excellence was recognised with its first Royal Warrant, awarded to Sir William Lowrie Sleigh in 1921 as Motor Engineers to His Majesty King George V, and set the standard for our outstanding service.
The Sleigh family’s commitment to quality was formally recognised in 1921, when Sir William Lowrie Sleigh was granted the family’s first Royal Warrant as Motor Engineers to His Majesty King George V, a testament to the trust and respect earned over decades of service.
After leaving Rossleigh in the early 1970s, W. Lowrie Sleigh founded W. L. Sleigh Ltd in 1974, continuing the family’s proud tradition of excellence in motor services. His vision was clear: to provide Scotland with the finest chauffeur-driven experiences. Within just a few years, W. L. Sleigh Ltd had regained Royal Warrants, serving Her Majesty The Queen Mother and HRH The Prince of Wales, and building a reputation for impeccable service and discretion.
Over the decades, the company became an integral part of Scotland’s history, coordinating transport for landmark events such as, the return of the Stone of Destiny (1996), the G8 Summit at Gleneagles (2005) and Her Majesty’s Final Journey from Balmoral (2022).
When William L. Sleigh joined the company in the early 1990s, he brought new energy and perspective to his father’s vision. Under his leadership, W. L. Sleigh Ltd embraced innovation, from digitising operations to forming global partnerships. Building on this success, William partnered with Russell Dunsmore in 2015. Now celebrating 50 years of W. L. Sleigh Ltd, the Sleigh family continues to uphold its legacy of humility, honesty, and genuine care, while looking to the future with innovation and sustainability. The company has introduced hybrid and fully electric vehicles to its fleet and partnered with PlanetMark to try and offset its carbon footprint, ensuring that the next century of Sleigh excellence will be as responsible as it is remarkable.
From two postmen selling penny-farthings to a family at the forefront of Scotland’s luxury travel and chauffeur industry, the Sleigh legacy remains defined by one thing above all: a steadfast dedication to quality and service: past, present, and future.
