Huvius, the open sights are definitely higher, obviously to suit the straighter stock. Many modern guns are now like this and it is an unfortunate consequence of making the stock suit telescopic sights first and open sights second. However as you said, they don't look out of place when a scope is fitted.

As to the question of the American custom gunmakers, I believe it depends on what level of gun they are offering. Rigby have two models in deer sized calibers, the "London best" and the "Off the shelf" model. In the London best category the top US makers can more than hold their own, you only have to look at makers such as Reto Buhler, his work is amazing but then many of the parts used on the gun he makes himself such as the open sights and the stocks are made to measure, therefore the gun is a true custom gun.
With the Highland Stalker you have an "Off the shelf" gun which uses several off the shelf items such as sights, scope bases and safety, as well as minimal engraving. If the US custom makers are producing a "Ready to wear" gun they too will use as many off the shelf items as they can, a stock roughed out on a pantograph and little to no engraving, in which case I think they can hold their own. David Miller has such a business model with an expensive custom gun and a "ready to wear" at a significantly lower price.

Rigby of course has an advantage by being owned by Mauser in that they will be able to buy actions at a significantly reduced price.

It will be interesting to see what prices they want here in Australia.

Waidmannsheil.