I can definitely recommend scott...
my road bike's a scott and it's great - light, and sturdy. Having had it for a year it's proved itself to be a great bike - I have ridden over countless potholes and the wheels are still millimetre perfect true (they're 'alexrims' rims on scott's own brand hubs). The only things I've had to replace are inner tubes (obviously), and cables (only just done them).
Mine's a year old now, i bought it as a flat bar road bike and i wanted drops, and was thinking about getting a new bike but am glad I converted it now 'cos it's a great bike and i'm used to it and trust it.
A guy at work's got a scott mtb aswell and says that's good aswell.