Royal Scottish Automobile Club
In partnership with the Glasgow Times, our archivists are exploring Glasgow's fascinating history. This week, Nerys Tunnicliffe writes about the Royal Scottish Automobile Club.
In 2002 Royal Scottish Automobile Club closed the doors to their grand clubhouse at Blythswood Square for the last time. The address had been associated with the club for 93 years, providing elegant headquarters to what was once a thriving organisation. The club deposited many records here at Glasgow City Archives over the years including minutes, photographs, membership records and handbooks.
Cars and motoring are such a way of life now that its hard to imagine how new and thrilling driving must have seemed when the first cars came onto the roads. Motoring was still relatively new in Scotland in the 1890’s, but already there was a growing number of enthusiasts for the new-fangled automobiles. By 1899 they were large enough in number to establish a Scottish branch of the Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland (ACGBI). In 1905 the club became independent from the ACGBI and continued as the Scottish Automobile Club (SAC).
Motoring wasn’t easy in the early days. Although roads were far less busy, they were also smaller and less developed for motor transport. The early automobiles were not always reliable, and not as powerful as modern cars. It wasn’t uncommon for drivers to have to rebuild a whole wheel never mind replace a blown tyre whilst travelling throughout Scotland!
The SAC provided a network of support between fellow drivers, sharing information on driving and automobile maintenance. As well as promoting motoring, they worked with police and local authorities on legislation to ensure safety alongside the enjoyment and freedom of driving. Basic measures such as proper road marking and signposting and road conditions were all encouraged by the club.
The SAC observed and recommended reputable Scottish repair shops, driving schools and even hotels for members touring in their automobiles. They produced an annual handbook with these listings which was highly regarded.
In 1917 the club gained a Royal Charter from King George V, partly it is said due to the club members help in providing car transport for those injured in the First World War. The added ‘Royal’ in the club’s name further boosted its prestigious reputation and its membership grew in numbers.
Right from the beginning the club was heavily involved with motorsports. Its ‘reliability trials’ which aimed to test cars, and challenge drivers’ skills were well known and respected. A car’s performance in the steep and winding hill climbs such as that at Rest and Be Thankful, and timed distance drives set all over Scotland could make or break the models of the day.
As automobiles became more dependable, focus shifted to rallies as we know them today. The RSAC’s world famous Scottish Rally began in 1932 and is still the longest running rally event in Scotland. The club’s Blythswood Square headquarters became famous in the 1950s and 1960s as the start of the Monte Carlo Rally. Classic cars would leave the Square and its cheering crowds to head for the French Riviera some 1600 miles away.
The club always had a strong social aspect too, running post rally functions at hotels, where formal dress was expected, and special motoring meetings for members to gather and mingle. One such event was the ‘Concours d’Elegance’ held in the 1930’s within Kelvingrove Park.
The premises at 11 Blythswood Square were purchased in 1909. Over the following years the club bought up the houses until it owned the whole of the eastern terrace of the Square. Architect James Miller was employed to remodel the terrace into a stylish headquarters and clubhouse. Work was finished in 1926, and the venue was popular as a meeting place for Glasgow’s business community. As well as lunch and dinner services, members enjoyed a library, smoking room and overnight guest rooms.
Over time as motoring lost its novelty and modernity, membership of the RSAC dropped significantly. By 2002 there were only 1200 members, and the costs of running such sumptuous premises spiralled upwards. Today RSAC Motorsport still manage the Scottish Rally, but their old address at Blythswood Square is owned by a luxury hotel.