The originator of the idea for a national society of geography in Scotland was John George Bartholomew, of the Bartholomew map-making company in Edinburgh. Bartholomew felt that there was a low quality of map craftsmanship within Britain and a lack of geographical societies as compared with the rest of Europe, and set out to investigate the situation in other countries, particularly in Germany. As a result of this he began work in establishing a geographical society for Scotland.

In his initial attempts, Bartholomew was assisted by Mrs. A. L. Bruce (the daughter of David Livingstone) a keen geographer with a particular interest in Africa. With an outline for the proposed society, they sought the support of Professor James Geikie, Professor of Geology at Edinburgh University. Geikie had a keen interest in the advancement of geographical research and teaching and willingly gave his support to the project, and there was a preliminary meeting of the Society on 28th October 1884. On 3rd December 1884 The Scottish Geographical Society (S.G.S.) launching ceremony was held in the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce of Edinburgh, and was chaired by James Geikie. Those attending included James Curries, President of the Chamber of Commerce, W. C. Smith advocate, and Dr James Clyde teacher. The first president, Lord Rosebery, had recently resigned as the first under-secretary of sate at the Home Office responsible for current affairs, and this indicates the prestigious nature of the new society.

The initial office bearers of the Society were
- President: Earl of Rosebery
- Honorary Secretaries: R. Richardson and J. G. Bartholomew
- Honorary Treasurers: A. L. Bruce and R. Gourlay
- Honorary Librarian: W. Scot Dalgleish
- Honorary Editor: H. A Webster
- Acting Secretary and Editor: A. Silva White

The aims of the Society were diverse, with the first objective being to advance the study of geography in Scotland, and research and education considered a higher priority than exploration. The passing on of information to those wishing to set up trading stations in different part of the world was a further aim. The Society established its headquarters in Edinburgh and centres were established in Dundee on 26th November 1884 and Aberdeen on 3rd February 1885, and Glasgow in 1884. From the beginning the Society published the Scottish Geographical Magazine an academically oriented publication with an international circulation. The Society's 'Royal' status was approved by the Queen in June 1887, becoming the Royal Scottish Geographical Society - RSGS.

Further details can be found in:

Adams, I. H., Crosbie, A. J. & Gordon, G. ‘The making of Scottish geography: 100 years of the RSGS’ Department of Geography, University of Edinburgh and the Royal Geographical Society. Edinburgh, 1984 ISBN 0900475072

Bridges, R. C. 1985 ‘The foundation and early years of the Aberdeen centre of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society’ SCOTTISH GEOGRAPHICAL MAGAZINE vol.101 no.2 pp.77-84

Lochhead, Elspeth N. 1981, 'Scotland as the Cradle of Modern Academic Geography in Britain', SCOTTISH GEOGRAPHICAL MAGAZINE vol.97 no.2 pp.98-109

Lochhead, Elspeth N. 1984 'The Royal Scottish Geographical Society: the setting and sources of its success' SCOTTISH GEOGRAPHICAL MAGAZINE vol.100 no.1 pp.69-80

Smith, A. H. 1985 ‘The Dundee centre of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society 1884-1985’ SCOTTISH GEOGRAPHICAL MAGAZINE vol.101 no.31 pp.185-189