Ahhh, the old 'which flying school is best' thread. There is nothing like it to stir up a hornets nest of peoples comments, some honest and genuine and some just out to have a dig at their closest competitor.
Not wanting to become embroiled in the usual slagging match that this will inevitably turn into, I would offer you the following advice before choosing your school.
For each good, honest opinion of a flying school you will get on this forum, you are likely to get twice as much bad press about them. You should not make you decision based entirely on what you read here. It is after all a 'rumour network'.
I was in the same position as you last year and whilst I read all the usual threads on PPRUNE, nothing quite beats visiting the schools you are thinking about and if necessary having a trial lesson.
There are a lot of flying schools to choose from in our area and I am sure they all have some good and some bad points. A new flying school is bound to attract a barrage of bad comments as worried competitors strive to protect their market place. At the end of the day, choose which one offers you what YOU are looking for.
You comment that Flight Academy Scotland offers pay up-front packages. So do all schools. It doesn't mean you have to take that option and it certainly doesn't mean that the schools have financial problems just because they offer that option.
As far as I am concerned, good luck to Flight Academy Scotland, and indeed any new organisation that starts up. The more flying schools, the more choice and value for us the 'flying' public (hopefully!). If somebody is willing to invest in the GA industry way that FAS are then great! It can only be a good thing.
Good luck with your decision.