Scottish Automobile Club Sign, corner of Lennox Street and Oxford Terrace, Edinburgh

Circular cast iron sign erected between 1900 and 1917, comprising a saltire surrounded by inscription 'Scottish Automobile Club'. The sign is situated at the corner of Lennox Street and Oxford Terrace. It is unpainted and mounted on a post around two and a half meters high.

Historical development

The Scottish Automobile Club was founded in 1899 to promote automobilism in Scotland. Founder members included William Douglas Weir, 1st Viscount Weir. The club motto was 'Gang Warily' and the organisation promoted the responsibility of automobile ownership, as well as the benefits gained by motoring and touring to Scotland's economy. Membership of the club grew steadily, and in 1912 numbered 1,826 members, ranging from car owners to chauffeurs.

In the early 20th century regulations for road safety and management were starting to be established. Responsibility for road signage passed to highway authorities in 1903 and the 1909 Roads Development and Improvement Funds Act saw the beginning of standardisation for road signs. However, no guidelines were issued until 1921.

The Scottish Automobile Club erected their own signs from around 1900. The design of this sign indicates that it was produced before 1917 when the club became known as the Royal Scottish Automobile Club.