The General Council of an ancient university in Scotland is the corporate body of all graduates and senior academics of each university. They were instituted by the Universities (Scotland) Act 1858, but each has had its constitution and organisation considerably altered by subsequent statutes.
The Act of 1858 established a tripartite structure of the General Council (advisory body), University Court (finance and administration), and Academic Senate (academic affairs).
The Chancellor of each university is elected by the General Council and is President of the Council.

History
Today, General Councils are generally limited in the issues to which it can competently contribute since its response time is essentially the six months between meetings. The Royal Commission of 1876, appointed to investigate the results of the act of 1858, found that, "the attendance at the meetings of Council is relatively very smalI," and the same comment is applicable today.
The University of St Andrews takes the winter meeting to other venues than St Andrews has been reasonably successful in boosting attendances. These meetings can be a good way to identify potential new members of Court. The University is keen to maintain a dialogue with graduates. There is the possibility in future that digital communications may assist members who are spread around the world to contribute.
The activities General Councils now are primarily geared towards consideration of the longer term future of each university and to promoting the history and culture connected with each university.