c. 51) enhanced the profession of road surveyor by organising a list of statutory highways and processes of county administration.

It began the move towards County-based responsibility for the roads network and bridges, assisted by the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889 which established county councils.

[1] Following the 1878 act, in 1884, around forty Scottish road surveyors decided to form an association with the object of 'the encouragement and advancement of all matters connected with road management, and to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas amongst its members; to fix places of meeting, and transact such other business as may be necessary'.

[2] The first meeting of the new Association of Road Surveyors of Scotland was held in Edinburgh on 23 July 1884 with David Patrick of Dalry appointed the first President.

Part of the agreement required the Institution to include the phrase 'Incorporating the Highway Engineer's Association of Scotland' for three years thereafter.