Michael Finlayson was born into a Glasgow working-class family. Leaving school aged fifteen, he secured an apprenticeship at British Rail as a mechanical fitter. He moved to Nottingham, followed by Merseyside, pursuing various self-employed roles in the motor industry, road haulage, and finally joinery manufacture. A brief spell in aircraft engineering added to his diversification.His interests are railways and photography. He has had published articles in various railway magazines over the years.