Scottish Division of the Royal College of Psychiatrists

The Scottish Division of the Royal College of Psychiatrists was established in 1869. The decision to create the division was first discussed at the 1854 annual meeting held in London when a letter from Dr Macintosh of Glasgow, suggesting the formation of a branch Association in Scotland was approved unanimously, but not implemented.

The suggestion by Dr Macintosh was re-visited at the 1868 London meeting when it was proposed that regular quarterly meetings rather than annual meetings be held, and that two of these take place in Scotland or the North.

On 28 November 1869 a meeting was held at Edinburgh where it was resolved that a branch association of the Medico-Psychological Association be formed in Scotland with a view to having special meetings of those members who reside in Scotland and the north of England.

The work of the Division became more prominent after the establishment of National Health Service in 1948. This involved responding to Government consultation papers.

It was only in 1995 that a Scottish Office was opened to look after the increased work of the Division which was resulting from devolved jurisdiction responsibilities. In 2010 all the Celtic divisions of the College were renamed, with the Scottish Division becoming the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland.