About Us
The Scottish Roads Archive is the largest private collection of road and transportation records in Scotland. As an independent, volunteer-led organisation, our mission is to locate, preserve and share these unique historical artefacts, while promoting a greater understanding and appreciation of the significant civil engineering projects that have shaped Scotland’s roads and transport infrastructure.
The Archive was inspired by John M. Cullen (1928–2018), formerly of Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick & Partners, whose passion for Scotland’s road and transport history provided the foundation for the collection. In 2010, his generous donation of a substantial private collection of engineering and technical records made the Archive a reality.
Originally established as the Glasgow Motorway Archive, our work initially focused on the development of Glasgow’s pioneering urban motorway system. In January 2022, we expanded our remit to encompass Scottish road projects of the 20th century, reflecting our ambition to preserve and share the wider story of Scotland’s road-building heritage.
Through its website, the SRA seeks to provide a record of the planning, design, construction and subsequent development of Scotland’s post-war roads system. The social, economic and environmental issues associated with its construction are also considered.
The Archive’s work is keenly supported by Transport Scotland, CIHT Scotland and the ICE, and the team works closely with others in the archive and heritage sector such as Historic Environment Scotland and Glasgow City Archives. The SRA participates in regular events such as public talks, academic lectures and the annual Doors Open Days programme.
The Scottish Roads Archive is happy to accept donations of new material. Contact us if you wish to discuss.
Accessing the Archive
A catalogue of the records held by the Scottish Roads Archive is available below.
We are happy to discuss specific research requests and provide access to documents within the archive. Please contact us to discuss your requirements, providing a minimum of 1 weeks notice. Requests to use specific photographs or diagrams should also be made in writing.
Digitised copies of some records can be found within the "From the Archive" section of our articles.
Road Transport History Association
Legacy Funding Award (2023)
In 2023 the Scottish Roads Archive was successful in an application for legacy funding from the Road Transport History Association (RTHA).
The association promoted, encouraged and co-ordinated the study of the history of roads, road passenger transport and the carriage of goods for over thirty years until its dissolution in 2022. The association’s award enabled the SRA to purchase new IT equipment and digitise a large collection from our archive.
The Scottish Roads Archive is grateful to the RTHA for its support and intends to continue its aims in Scotland.
The RTHA's archive of over 100 Journals can be freely accessed HERE.
Supported by CIHT (Scotland)
The Scottish Roads Archive and its work is supported financially by the Scotland branch of the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT). We are grateful for their ongoing support and encouragement. You can learn more about the CIHT and its work HERE.
Our Sponsors
The Scottish Roads Archive is grateful to the following companies for their support in 2025:
Eastford Excavations Ltd.
Eastford, Stobwood,
Forth
Lanark
ML11 8ET
T: 01555 812452
HBS Scotland Ltd.
34 Burnbrae Road, Shotts
North Lanarkshire
ML7 5DW
W: https://hbsonline.co.uk/hbs-scotland
If you would like to support the SRA's work please contact us to discuss.
Events and Media Apperances
The Scottish Roads Archive takes part in many talks and presentations each year. Regular audiences include Rotary Clubs, Advanced Motorists Groups and Historical Societies. Our presentations, on subjects including the history of Glasgow’s motorway system, the Clyde Tunnel, the development of the M74 and Fife’s Roads, are illustrated with photographs from our collections.
The SRA has featured in broadcast and print media across the UK, most recently on BBC Two’s ‘Great British Railway Journeys’ and in ‘Motorway City’ for BBC Radio 4’s ‘Archive on 4’ programme.
If you are interested in booking the SRA please contact us to discuss.
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Copyright Notice
The information and articles contained within this website are for educational and historical purposes only. All text, photographs and illustrations remain the copyright of the Scottish Roads Archive and must not be copied or reproduced without express permission.
The Scottish Roads Archive recognises that some of the images and illustrations presented on this website may be subject to external copyright and/or restrictions. These are acknowledged and highlighted where necessary and attributed to the original owners where possible/appropriate.
The Scottish Roads Archive is happy to acknowledge original authorship or ownership of any material produced here. Please contact us for more information.
Other Sites of Interest
Scott Wilson Scotland: A History
The London-based engineering consultancy Scott & Wilson, Kirkpatrick & Partners—formed through the 1954 merger of the two firms, although it would be several years before the name evolved into Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick & Partners, and subsequently Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick and Scott Wilson—opened a branch office at 252 High Street, Glasgow, in 1960. Its initial remit was to provide “advice on traffic studies for a new ring road for Glasgow.”
This early involvement marked the beginning of a significant role in the development of Glasgow’s motorway network, leading to major design commissions and the establishment of a principal Scottish office at 6 Park Circus.
By 1971, Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick & Co (Scotland) had been established, followed in 1979 by Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick & Partners (Scotland). As the organisation—later known as Scott Wilson Scotland—expanded its activities and influence, additional offices were established in Inverness, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Belfast and Dublin.
James P. McCafferty, former Chairman of Scott Wilson Scotland, has documented the firm’s history in considerable detail. His fascinating account can be explored here.