Scotts was established on March 22, 1907, by James Arthur Scott, who was born in 1870 into a textile family from Dunshelt.

After completing his education, he set off for Glasgow, where he trained in the drapery business. On returning to Fife, he took up a position with Fairfield Stores in Cupar where he worked for many years before venturing out on his own, at 74 Bonnygate.

This makes Scotts the longest running retail business in the town which is still in the same family.

As well as sales assistants in those early days, there was a tailor, milliner and message boy. The tailor and milliner worked from 90 Bonnygate (now Young's jewellers).
Like all businesses, Scotts has had lean times and prosperous times – this being particularly obvious during the First and Second World Wars.

After the First World War the shop became agents for Pullars of Perth until they set up their own premises in Cupar.

Around 1930, James's son, David, began his career in the shop. He had wanted to be an engineer, but ultimately kept his engineering skills (which were considerable) to a hobby.

During the Second World War, Polish soldiers were billeted in the Masonic Hall above the shop. In January 1941, a fire broke out in the hall, causing extensive damage to the shop.

After James died in 1952, his son David decided to make some changes to the business. He sold the premises at 90 Bonnygate and proceeded with some modernisation inside.

It was in the late 1950s that David's son, Jim, joined the business.

Following the untimely death in 1967 of David, his wife May became involved with the business and together with Jim they ran it until failing health prevented her from being in the shop. She died in 1993.

Daughter-in-law Hilda Scott (married to David's other son, David – former Fife Herald editor and now owner of Links Media in Cupar) joined Scotts in 1991.

After Jim took early retirement in 1995, Hilda eventually decided to concentrate solely on ladies' fashions and went on to carry out extensive refurbishment a few years later.

In more recent times, daughters Charlotte and Claudine, worked in the shop on Saturdays – the fourth generation of Scotts in the business!