The event was first held, for men only, in 1883, when they were organised by the Scottish Amateur Athletics Association.

The 220 yards was added in 1892 and in 1919, in line with the AAA championship, the one mile medley relay was introduced.

In 1952 the longest race for women was increased to 1 mile, and the pentathlon was added in 1959, becoming the heptathlon in 1981.

Women's pole vault was included for the first time in 1994, and the following year the 3000 metres was replaced with a 5000-metre championship.

There were strong views both in favour and against the position, and arriving at a deadlock in their negotiations several western district clubs in favour of allowing professional cycle events, led by Clydesdale Harriers, seceded from the SAAA and formed the Scottish Amateur Athletics Union (SAAU).

In both years the two championships were held on the same day, with the SAAA adhering to their policy of alternating between an Eastern and a Western venue, while the SAAU held their championship at Hampden Park, Glasgow on both occasions.