Archibald Young was born in 1913 into a distinguished medical family. His father was a surgeon of international repute who followed Macewen to the Regius Chair of Surgery in Glasgow. On his mother's side he claimed descent from the famous Highland cateran Rob Roy. The family lived in great style in the fashionable Park area of Glasgow, and entertained Einstein on his visit to the University.

Young was educated at the High School of Glasgow and at St John's College Cambridge before returning to Glasgow to complete his medical training and take a number of junior clinical appointments in surgery and septics. When the Second World War broke out Young joined the RAMC and saw active service in North Africa and Italy. At the end of hostilities he was appointed to the Staff of the Anatomy Department in Glasgow, which remained his base for most of his career.