Taggart was born on the High Street in Rutherglen, Lanarkshire. He started working on the railways when he was 14 years old, and spent his entire career in the railway industry, working his way up to his final position as a claims inspector. He had a great love for bowls, which he played up to the age of 104. A former club singer, Taggart credited his longevity to singing songs by Engelbert Humperdinck. Taggart was part of the Home Guard during World War II. Taggart was married for 65 years to Dorcas Taggart, who died in 1998 at age 90. He had five daughters—Mabel, Nan, Betty, June, and Margaret —15 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He lived in his native Rutherglen for his entire life.