List of burghs in Scotland

Last updated

The small burgh of Falkland, Fife, created a royal burgh in 1458 and a police burgh in the 1890s Falkland in Fife.JPG
The small burgh of Falkland, Fife, created a royal burgh in 1458 and a police burgh in the 1890s

The following list includes all effective burghs in Scotland from the coming into force of the Burgh Police (Scotland) Act 1892 (55 & 56 Vict. c. 55), in 1893. [1] "Ineffective" burghs, which had not used legislation to adopt a "police system", take on local government duties and reform their town councils, were abolished on this date.

Contents

Burgh ( /ˈbʌrə/ BURR) is the Scots term for a town or a municipality. It corresponds to the Scandinavian Borg and the English Borough .

Burghs are listed below under the name of the county to which they belonged. The county boundaries used are those effective for local government purposes from circa 1890 until 1975. During this period four burghs were also counties, or counties of cities in Scotland.

Counties of cities

These four burghs were counties of cities, being independent from the surrounding counties for all judicial and local government purposes.

BurghDate of adoption
of police system
Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Aberdeen royal burgh
(County of a City from 1899
- previously straddled Aberdeenshire and Kincardineshire) [2] [3]
1862 [note a] Royal burgh from 1124One of the Aberdeen Burghs 1708 to 1832
Aberdeen burgh constituency 1832 to 1885
Dundee royal burgh
(County of a city from 1894
- previously in Forfarshire) [4]
1837Royal burgh from 1191–1195One of the Perth Burghs 1708 to 1832
Dundee burgh constituency 1832 to 1950
Edinburgh royal burgh
(County of a City from 13th century) [5]
1805 (by Private Act)Royal burgh from 1124–1127 Edinburgh burgh constituency 1708 to 1885
Glasgow royal burgh
(County of a City from 1893
- previously in Lanarkshire) [6]
1800 (by Private Act) [note b] Royal burgh 1611One of the Clyde Burghs 1708 to 1832
Glasgow burgh constituency 1832 to 1885

Note a: ^ Royal Burgh of Aberdeen absorbed Aberdeenshire burghs of Old Aberdeen burgh (burgh of barony 1489, police burgh 1860), Woodside (police burgh 1860) in 1891.

Note b: ^ Royal Burgh of Glasgow absorbed the following Renfrewshire burghs in the years shown:

Aberdeenshire

Note: The royal burgh of Aberdeen was part of this county until 1899. [2]

BurghDate of adoption
of police system
Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Inverurie royal burgh1867Royal burgh 1558One of the Elgin Burghs 1708 to 1918
Kintore royal burgh1873Royal burgh 1506-7One of the Elgin Burghs 1708 to 1918
Ballater burgh1891NoneNone
Ellon burgh1893Burgh of barony 1707None
Fraserburgh burgh1840Burgh of barony 1546
Burgh of regality 1601
None
Huntly burgh1834Burgh of barony 1488
Burgh of regality 1684
None
Old Meldrum 1893Burgh of barony 1671None
Peterhead burgh1860Burgh of barony 1587
Parliamentary burgh 1832
One of the Elgin Burghs 1832 to 1918
Rattray N/ARoyal burgh 1563None
Rosehearty 1892Burgh of barony 1681None
Turriff burgh1858Burgh of barony 1512None

Angus (also known as Forfarshire)

Note: The royal burgh of Dundee was part of this county until 1894.

BurghDate of adoption
of police system
Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Arbroath royal burgh1836Royal burgh 1599 [or perhaps 1555, when Johne Lyne was a commissioner for "Abirbrothok" at a convention of the royal burghs of Scotland. [9] One of the Aberdeen Burghs 1708 to 1832
and of the Montrose Burghs 1832 to 1950
Brechin royal burgh1893?Royal burgh status ratified 1641One of the Aberdeen Burghs 1708 to 1832
and of the Montrose Burghs 1832 to 1950
Forfar royal burgh1857Created royal burgh c 1123 - 62One of the Perth Burghs 1708 to 1832
and of the Montrose Burghs 1832 to 1950
Montrose royal burgh1833Created royal burgh by c 1124 - 53One of the Aberdeen Burghs 1708 to 1832
and of the Montrose Burghs 1832 to 1950
Broughty Ferry burgh - now part of Dundee1864–1913 ‡NoneNone
Carnoustie burgh1889NoneNone
Kirriemuir burgh1834Burgh of barony 1459
Burgh of regality 1670
None
Monifieth burgh1895NoneNone

‡ Absorbed by Dundee royal burgh 1913

Argyll

BurghDate of adoption
of police system
Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Campbeltown royal burgh1846Royal burgh 1700
Previously burgh of barony 1667
One of the Ayr Burghs 1708 to 1832
Inveraray royal burgh1833Royal burgh 1648
Previously burgh of barony 1474
One of the Ayr Burghs 1708 to 1832
Dunoon burgh1868Burgh of barony 1835None
Lochgilphead burgh1858NoneNone
Oban burgh1862Burgh of barony 1820
Parliamentary burgh 1832
One of the Ayr Burghs 1832 to 1918
Tobermory burgh1875NoneNone

Ayrshire

BurghDate of adoption
of police system
Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Ayr royal burgh1850Created royal burgh c. 1203-6One of the Ayr Burghs 1708 to 1950
Irvine royal burgh1875Royal burgh 1372One of the Ayr Burghs 1708 to 1950
Ardrossan burgh1865Burgh of barony 1846One of the Ayr Burghs 1918 to 1950
Cumnock and Holmhead burgh1866Cumnock created burgh of barony 1680None
Darvel burgh1873NoneNone
Galston burgh1864NoneNone
Girvan burgh1889Burgh of barony 1668None
Kilmarnock burgh1847Burgh of barony 1592
Parliamentary burgh 1832
One of the Kilmarnock Burghs 1832 to 1918
Kilwinning burgh1889NoneNone
Largs burgh1876Burgh of barony 1595
(as Newton of Gogo, re-erected as Largs 1629)
None
Maybole burgh1857Burgh of barony 1516None
Newmilns and Greenholm burgh1834Burgh of barony 1490
Burgh of regality 1707
None
Prestwick burgh1903Ancient burgh of barony dating from 10th century
Confirmed 1600
One of the Ayr Burghs 1918 to 1950
Saltcoats burgh1885Burgh of barony 1529
Confirmed 1586
One of the Ayr Burghs 1918 to 1950
Stevenston burgh1952NoneNone
Stewarton burgh1868NoneNone
Troon burgh1896NoneOne of the Ayr Burghs 1918 to 1950

Banffshire

BurghDate of adoption
of police system
Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Banff royal burgh1840Created royal burgh c. 1203-6One of the Elgin Burghs 1708 to 1918
Cullen royal burgh1870Royal burgh 1372One of the Elgin Burghs 1708 to 1918
Aberchirder burgh1889NoneNone
Aberlour burgh1894Burgh of barony 1814None
Buckie burgh1888NoneNone
Dufftown burgh1863NoneNone
Findochty burgh1915NoneNone
Keith burgh1889NoneNone
Macduff burgh1853Burgh of barony 1528None
Portknockie burgh1912NoneNone
Portsoy burgh1889Burgh of barony 1550None

Berwickshire

BurghDate of adoption
of police system
Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Lauder royal burgh1875Confirmed 1502One of the Haddington Burghs 1708 to 1885
Coldstream burgh1833Burgh of barony 1621None
Duns burgh1842Burgh of barony 1490None
Eyemouth burgh1866Burgh of barony 1598None

Buteshire

BurghDate of adoption
of police system
Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Rothesay royal burgh1846Royal burgh 1401One of the Ayr Burghs 1708 to 1832
Millport burgh1864NoneNone

Caithness

BurghDate of adoption
of police system
Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Wick royal burgh1862Royal burgh 1589One of the Tain Burghs 1708 to 1832
and of the Wick Burghs 1832 to 1918
Thurso burgh1841Burgh of barony 1633None

Clackmannanshire

BurghDate of adoption
of police system
Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Alloa burgh1854Burgh of regality 1497,
reerected 1620
None
Alva burgh1876NoneNone
Dollar burgh1891Burgh of regality 1702None
Tillicoultry burgh1871Burgh of barony 1634None

Dumfriesshire

BurghDate of adoption
of police system
Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Annan royal burgh1858Royal burgh by 1532One of the Dumfries Burghs 1708 to 1918
Dumfries royal burgh1833Royal burgh c 1186
Absorbed Maxwelltown burgh (Kirkcudbrightshire) in 1930
One of the Dumfries Burghs 1708 to 1918
Lochmaben royal burgh1858Confirmed 1612
Recognised as royal burgh by 1447
One of the Dumfries Burghs 1708 to 1918
Sanquhar royal burgh1890Royal burgh 1598
Originally burgh of barony 1484
One of the Dumfries Burghs 1708 to 1918
Langholm burgh1845Burgh of barony 1621
Burgh of regality 1687
None
Lockerbie burgh1863NoneNone
Moffat burgh1864Burgh of regality 1648
Confirmed 1662
None

Dunbartonshire

BurghDate of adoption
of police system
Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Dumbarton royal burgh1833Royal burgh by 1532One of the Clyde Burghs 1708 to 1832,
of the Kilmarnock Burghs 1832 to 1918
and of the Dumbarton Burghs 1918 to 1950
Bearsden burgh1958NoneNone
Clydebank burgh1886NoneOne of the Dumbarton Burghs 1918 to 1950
Cove and Kilcreggan burgh1865NoneNone
Cumbernauld burgh1968Burgh of barony 1649 - 1893None
Helensburgh burgh1846Burgh of barony 1802None
Kirkintilloch burgh1836Burgh of barony 1526None
Milngavie burgh1875Burgh of regality 1648
Confirmed 1662
None

East Lothian (also known as Haddingtonshire)

BurghDate of adoption
of police system
Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Dunbar royal burgh1863'Free' burgh 1370One of the Haddington Burghs 1708 to 1885
Haddington royal burgh1858Created royal burgh c 1124 - 53One of the Haddington Burghs 1708 to 1885
North Berwick royal burgh1860Royal burgh by 1425One of the Haddington Burghs 1708 to 1885
Cockenzie and Port Seton burgh1885Burgh of barony (as Cockenzie) 1591
Burgh of regality (as Winton) 1686
None
East Linton burgh1863NoneNone
Prestonpans burgh1862Burgh of barony 1552None
Tranent burgh1860Burgh of barony 1542None

Edinburghshire

See Midlothian

Elginshire

See Morayshire

Fife

BurghDate of adoption
of police system
Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Anstruther Easter royal burgh1841–1929 †Royal burgh 1583, previously burgh of barony 1572One of the Anstruther Burghs 1708 to 1832
and of the St Andrews Burghs 1832 to 1918
Anstruther Wester royal burgh1893?–1929 †Royal burgh 1587, previously burgh of barony 1541One of the Anstruther Burghs 1708 to 1832
and of the St Andrews Burghs 1832 to 1918
Auchtermuchty royal burgh1874Royal burgh 1517None
Burntisland royal burgh1833Royal burgh 1541One of the Dysart Burghs 1708 to 1832
and of the Kirkcaldy Burghs 1832 to 1950
Crail royal burgh1893?Royal burgh since 1198, chartered 1314 - 29One of the Anstruther Burghs 1708 to 1832
and of the St Andrews Burghs 1832 to 1918
Culross royal burgh1893?Royal burgh 1592
Previously burgh of barony 1490
One of the Stirling Burghs 1708 to 1918
Cupar royal burgh1834Royal burgh by 1327One of the Perth Burghs 1708 to 1832
Dunfermline royal burgh1811 - by private actRoyal burgh status restored 1594One of the Stirling Burghs 1708 to 1918
and of the Dunfermline Burghs 1918 to 1950
Dysart royal burgh1834–1930 ‡Royal burgh 1587
Previously burgh of barony 1510
One of the Dysart Burghs 1708 to 1832
and of the Kirkcaldy Burghs 1832 to 1950
Earlsferry royal burgh1893?–1929 †Royal burgh status confirmed 1589None
Elie and Earlsferry royal burgh1929 †Created 1929 from two burghsNone
Falkland royal burgh1893?Royal burgh 1458None
Inverkeithing royal burgh1892Royal burgh 13th centuryOne of the Stirling Burghs 1708 to 1918
and of the Dunfermline Burghs 1918 to 1950
Kilrenny royal burgh1848–1929 †Royal burgh 1592, previously burgh of regality 1578One of the Anstruther Burghs 1708 to 1832
and of the St Andrews Burghs 1832 to 1918
Kilrenny, Anstruther Easter and Anstruther Wester royal burgh1929Created 1929 from three royal burghsNone
Kincardine burghNot adopted. Burgh abolished 1893Burgh of barony 1663None
Kinghorn royal burgh1833Royal burgh 12th centuryOne of the Dysart Burghs 1708 to 1832 and of the Kirkcaldy Burghs 1832 to 1950
Kirkcaldy royal burgh1811 (by private act)Royal burgh 1644
Previously ecclesiastical burgh
Absorbed Dysart royal burgh 1930
One of the Dysart Burghs 1708 to 1832
and of the Kirkcaldy Burghs 1832 to 1950
Newburgh royal burgh1850sRoyal burgh 1631, previously burgh of regality 1600None
Pittenweem royal burgh1842Royal burgh 1541, burgh of barony 1526One of the Anstruther Burghs 1708 to 1832
and of the St Andrews Burghs 1832 to 1918
St Andrews royal burgh1893?Royal burgh 1620
Previously burgh of regality 1614
and ecclesiastical burgh (12th century)
One of the Perth Burghs 1708 to 1832
Buckhaven and Methil burgh1891Buckhaven burgh of barony 1662, did not endureOne of the Kirkcaldy Burghs 1918 to 1950
Cowdenbeath burgh1890NoneOne of the Dunfermline Burghs 1918 to 1950
Elie burgh1865–1929 †Burgh of barony 1599None
Ladybank burgh1877NoneNone
Leslie burgh1865Burgh of barony (as Leslie Green) 1458None
Leven burgh1867Burgh of barony 1609None
Lochgelly burgh1876NoneOne of the Dunfermline Burghs 1918 to 1950
Markinch burgh1891Burgh of barony 1673None
Newport-on-Tay burgh1887NoneNone
St. Monance burgh1933Burgh of barony 1596None
Tayport burgh1887Burgh of barony (as Ferry-Port on Craig)1599
Burgh of regality (as Ferry-Port on Craig)1725
None

† Burghs merged 1929

‡ Dysart absorbed by Kircaldy royal burgh 1930

Forfarshire

See Angus

Haddingtonshire

See East Lothian

Inverness-shire

BurghDate of adoption
of police system
Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Inverness royal burgh1862Created royal burgh c 1130 - 53One of the Inverness Burghs 1708 to 1918
Fort William burgh1875Burgh of barony as Gordonsburgh 1618None
Kingussie burgh1867Burgh of barony 1464None

Kincardineshire

BurghDate of adoption
of police system
Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Inverbervie royal burgh1893?Royal burgh by 1341One of the Aberdeen Burghs 1708 to 1832
and of the Montrose Burghs 1832 to 1950
Banchory burgh1885May have been a burgh of barony 1805None
Laurencekirk burgh1889Burgh of barony 1779None
Stonehaven burgh1889Burgh of barony 1587None

Kinross-shire

BurghDate of adoption
of police system
Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Kinross burgh1864Burgh of barony 1541
Burgh of regality 1685
None

Kirkcudbrightshire

BurghDate of adoption
of police system
Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Kirkcudbright royal burgh1893?Royal burgh 1445One of the Dumfries Burghs 1708 to 1918
New Galloway royal burgh1892Royal burgh 1630One of the Wigtown Burghs 1708 to 1885
Castle Douglas burgh1862Burgh of barony 1791None
Dalbeattie burgh1858NoneNone
Gatehouse of Fleet burgh1852Burgh of barony 1795None
Maxwelltown burgh1833–1931 †Burgh of barony 1810None

† Maxwelltown burgh was absorbed by Dumfries royal burgh 1931.

Lanarkshire

Note: The royal burgh of Glasgow was part of the county until 1893.

BurghDate of adoption
of police system
Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Lanark royal burgh1855Created royal burgh 1153 - 59One of the Linlithgow Burghs 1708 to 1832
and of the Falkirk Burghs 1832 to 1918
Rutherglen royal burgh1863Created royal burgh 1124 -53One of the Clyde Burghs 1708 to 1832
and of the Kilmarnock Burghs 1832 to 1918
Airdrie burgh1849Burgh of barony 1821
Parliamentary burgh 1832
One of the Falkirk Burghs 1832 to 1918
Biggar burgh1863Burgh of barony 1451None
Bishopbriggs burgh1964NoneNone
Coatbridge burgh1885Created burgh by private act 1885None
East Kilbride burgh1963NoneNone
Govan burgh1864–1912 ‡Burgh of barony 1607None
Hamilton burgh1857Burgh of regality 1669One of the Falkirk Burghs 1832 to 1918
Hillhead burgh1869–1891 ‡NoneNone
Maryhill burgh1856–1891 ‡NoneNone
Motherwell burgh1865–1920 †NoneNone
Motherwell and Wishaw burgh1920Formed 1920 from two burghsNone
Partick burgh1852–1912 ‡NoneNone
Wishaw burgh1855–1920 †NoneNone

† Burghs merged 1920

‡ Burghs absorbed by Glasgow royal burgh on dates shown

Linlithgowshire

See West Lothian

Midlothian (also known as Edinburghshire)

Note: The royal burgh of Edinburgh and its liberties formed a separate county of itself from the thirteenth century.

BurghDate of adoption
of police system
Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Bonnyrigg burgh1865–1920 †NoneNone
Bonnyrigg and Lasswade burgh1930Formed 1930 from two burghsNone
Dalkeith burgh1878Burgh of barony 1401
Burgh of regality 1540
None
Lasswade burgh1881–1920 †NoneNone
Leith burgh1862–1920 ‡Burgh of barony 1636
Parliamentary burgh 1832
One of the Leith Burghs 1832 to 1918
Loanhead burgh1884Burgh of barony 1669None
Musselburgh burgh1849Burgh of regality 1562
Parliamentary burgh 1832
One of the Leith Burghs 1832 to 1918
Penicuik burgh1866NoneNone
Portobello burgh1850–1896 ‡Parliamentary burgh 1832One of the Leith Burghs 1832 to 1918

† Burghs merged 1920

‡ Burghs absorbed by Edinburgh royal burgh in years shown (Portobello continued, however, as a separate parliamentary burgh until 1918)

Morayshire (also known as Elginshire)

BurghDate of adoption
of police system
Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Elgin royal burgh1833Royal burgh status confirmed 1457One of the Elgin Burghs 1708 to 1918
Forres royal burgh1836Re-erected as royal burgh 1496One of the Inverness Burghs 1708 to 1918
Burghead burgh1900NoneNone
Grantown-on-Spey burgh1898Burgh of regality 1694None
Lossiemouth and Branderburgh burgh1890NoneNone
Rothes burgh1884NoneNone

Nairnshire

BurghDate of adoption
of police system
Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Nairn royal burgh1841Royal burgh status regained 1476One of the Inverness Burghs 1708 to 1918

Orkney

BurghDate of adoption
of police system
Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Kirkwall royal burgh1838Royal burgh 1486One of the Tain Burghs 1708 to 1832
and of the Wick Burghs 1832 to 1918
Stromness burgh1856Burgh of barony 1817None

Peeblesshire

BurghDate of adoption
of police system
Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Peebles royal burgh1864Royal burgh c. 1153One of the Linlithgow Burghs 1707 to 1832
Innerleithen burgh1868NoneNone

Perthshire

BurghDate of adoption
of police system
Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Auchterarder royal burgh1894Reinstated as royal burgh 1951None
Perth royal burgh1865Royal burgh c. 1124 - 1127One of the Perth Burghs 1708 to 1832
Perth burgh constituency 1832 to 1950
Aberfeldy burgh1887NoneNone
Abernethy burgh1877Burgh of barony 1459None
Alyth burgh1834Burgh of barony 1488None
Blairgowrie burgh1833–1930 †Burgh of barony 1634None
Blairgowrie and Rattray burgh1930Formed 1930 from two burghsNone
Callander burgh1866NoneNone
Coupar Angus burgh1852Burgh of barony 1607None
Crieff burgh1864NoneNone
Doune burgh1890NoneNone
Dunblane burgh1870Burgh of regality 1442None
Pitlochry burgh1947NoneNone
Rattray burgh1877–1930 †NoneNone

† Burghs merged 1930

Renfrewshire

BurghDate of adoption
of police system
Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Renfrew royal burgh1855Royal burgh status 1397One of the Clyde Burghs 1708 to 1832
and of the Kilmarnock Burghs 1832 to 1918
Barrhead burgh1894NoneNone
Crawfurdsdyke burghadopted into Greenock 1840Burgh of barony 1642None
Crosshill burgh1871–1891 †NoneNone
Gourock burgh1858Burgh of barony 1694None
Govanhill burgh1876–1891 †NoneNone
Greenock burgh1840Burgh of barony 1635
Parliamentary burgh 1832
None
Johnstone burgh1857NoneNone
Kinning Park burgh1871–1905 †NoneNone
Paisley burgh1806 (Private Act)Burgh of barony 1488
Burgh of regality 1587
None
Pollokshaws burgh1858–1912 †Burgh of barony 1813None
Pollokshields burgh1876–1891 †NoneNone
Pollokshields East burgh1880–1891 †NoneNone
Port Glasgow burgh1800 (Private Act)Burgh of barony 1668One of the Kilmarnock Burghs 1832 to 1918

† Burghs absorbed by Glasgow royal burgh on dates shown

Ross and Cromarty (Ross-shire and Cromartyshire)

BurghDate of adoption
of police system
Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Dingwall royal burgh1834Royal burgh 1498One of the Tain Burghs 1708 to 1832
and of the Wick Burghs 1832 to 1918
Fortrose royal burgh1867Union of Rosemarkie and Fortrose royal burghs 1661One of the Inverness Burghs 1708 to 1918
Tain royal burgh1854Royal burgh 1439One of the Tain Burghs 1708 to 1832
and of the Wick Burghs 1832 to 1918
Cromarty burgh1848Burgh of barony 1685
Parliamentary burgh 1832
One of the Wick Burghs 1832 to 1918
Invergordon burgh1864Burgh of barony 1694None
Stornoway burgh1863Burgh of barony 1607None

Roxburghshire

BurghDate of adoption
of police system
Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Jedburgh royal burgh1847Royal burgh status restored by 1424One of the Haddington Burghs 1708 to 1885
Hawick burgh1845Burgh of barony 1511, burgh of regality 1669One of the Hawick Burghs 1868 to 1918
Kelso burgh1838Burgh of barony 1614 [10] None
Melrose burgh1895Burgh of barony 1605
Burgh of regality 1620
None

Selkirkshire

BurghDate of adoption
of police system
Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Selkirk royal burgh1863Royal burgh by 1328One of the Linlithgow Burghs 1708 to 1832
and of the Hawick Burghs 1868 to 1918
Galashiels burgh1850Burgh of barony 1599One of the Hawick Burghs 1868 to 1918

Stirlingshire

BurghDate of adoption
of police system
Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Stirling royal burgh1857Created royal burgh c 1124 - 1127One of the Stirling Burghs 1707 to 1918
and of the Stirling and Falkirk Burghs 1918 to 1950
Bridge of Allan burgh1870NoneNone
Denny and Dunipace burgh1877None
Falkirk burgh1859Burgh of barony 1600
Burgh of regality 1646
Parliamentary burgh 1832
One of the Falkirk Burghs 1832 to 1918
and of the Stirling and Falkirk Burghs 1918 to 1950
Grangemouth burgh1872NoneOne of the Stirling and Falkirk Burghs 1918 to 1950
Kilsyth burgh1878Burgh of barony 1620None

Sutherland

BurghDate of adoption
of police system
Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Dornoch royal burgh1891Royal burgh 1628One of the Tain Burghs 1708 to 1832
and of the Wick Burghs 1832 to 1918

West Lothian (also known as Linlithgowshire)

BurghDate of adoption
of police system
Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Linlithgow royal burgh1866Royal burgh from c. 1138One of the Linlithgow Burghs 1708 to 1832
and of the Falkirk Burghs 1832 to 1918
Queensferry royal burgh1882Royal burgh 1636One of the Stirling Burghs 1708 to 1918
Armadale burgh1864NoneNone
Bathgate burgh1865Burgh of barony 1663None
Bo'ness burgh1883Burgh of regality 1668None
Whitburn burgh1861NoneNone

Wigtownshire

BurghDate of adoption
of police system
Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Stranraer royal burgh1848Royal burgh 1617One of the Wigtown Burghs 1708 to 1885
Whithorn royal burgh1873Royal burgh 1511One of the Wigtown Burghs 1708 to 1885
Wigtown royal burgh1893 ?Royal burgh 1469One of the Wigtown Burghs 1708 to 1885
Newton Stewart burgh1861Burgh of barony 1677None

Zetland

BurghDate of adoption
of police system
Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Lerwick burgh1833Burgh of barony 1818None

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The shires of Scotland, or counties of Scotland, are historic subdivisions of Scotland established in the Middle Ages and used as administrative divisions until 1975. Originally established for judicial purposes, from the 17th century they started to be used for local administration purposes as well. The areas used for judicial functions (sheriffdoms) came to diverge from the shires, which ceased to be used for local government purposes after 1975 under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burgh</span> Former autonomous corporate entity in Scotland and Northern England

A burgh is an autonomous municipal corporation in Scotland, usually a city, town, or toun in Scots. This type of administrative division existed from the 12th century, when King David I created the first royal burghs. Burgh status was broadly analogous to borough status, found in the rest of the United Kingdom. Following local government reorganisation in 1975, the title of "royal burgh" remains in use in many towns, but now has little more than ceremonial value.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roxburghshire</span> Historic county in Scotland

Roxburghshire or the County of Roxburgh is a historic county and registration county in the Southern Uplands of Scotland. It borders Dumfriesshire to the west, Selkirkshire and Midlothian to the northwest, and Berwickshire to the north. To the southwest it borders Cumberland and to the southeast Northumberland, both in England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roxburgh</span> Civil parish in Roxburghshire, Scotland

Roxburgh is a civil parish and formerly a royal burgh, in the historic county of Roxburghshire in the Scottish Borders, Scotland. It was an important trading burgh in High Medieval to early modern Scotland. In the Middle Ages it had at least as much importance as Edinburgh, Stirling, Perth, or Berwick-upon-Tweed, for a time acting as de facto capital.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994</span> United Kingdom legislation

The Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that created the current local government structure of 32 unitary authorities covering the whole of Scotland.

A burgh of barony was a type of Scottish town (burgh).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889</span> United Kingdom legislation

The Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889 is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which was passed on 26 August 1889. The main effect of the act was to establish elected county councils in Scotland. In this it followed the pattern introduced in England and Wales by the Local Government Act 1888.

A police burgh was a Scottish burgh which had adopted a "police system" for governing the town. They existed from 1833 to 1975.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Local Government (Scotland) Act 1929</span> United Kingdom legislation

The Local Government (Scotland) Act 1929 reorganised local government in Scotland from 1930, introducing joint county councils, large and small burghs and district councils. The Act also abolished the Scottish poor law system with institutions passing to the local authorities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Representation of the People (Scotland) Act 1868</span> United Kingdom law reforming the electoral system in Scotland

The Representation of the People (Scotland) Act 1868 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It carried on from the Representation of the People Act 1867, and created seven additional Scottish seats in the House of Commons at the expense of seven English borough constituencies, which were disenfranchised.

County of city was a term used for certain local government areas in Scotland between 1890 and 1975 which performed the functions of both a county council and the town council of a burgh and also served as their own judicial areas. There were four such areas, covering the cities of Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Each area was governed by a city corporation and was administered independently of the surrounding county. The counties of cities were abolished by the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, and were replaced by regions and districts in 1975.

Scotland has eight cities. Edinburgh is the capital city and Glasgow is the most populous. Scottish towns were granted burghs or royal burgh status by Scottish kings, including by David I of Scotland and William the Lion.

Local government areas covering the whole of Scotland were first defined by the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889. As currently defined, they are a result, for the most part, of the Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pollokshields East</span>

Pollokshields East was a police burgh in Scotland that had a brief independent existence in the 19th century. The burgh was created within the Govan parish in the county of Renfrewshire in 1880. Bartholomew's Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887) states that Pollokshields East had a population of 4,360. Along with the neighbouring burgh of Pollokshields, it was officially absorbed into the city of Glasgow in 1891, the two burghs being induced to agree by the promise of taxation concessions. Unlike its neighbour, where development was restricted by feu to residential villas, Pollokshields East was a more working class area with commercial and industrial developments. Land use in modern Pollokshields still reflects the different histories of the two former burghs.

The politics of Glasgow, Scotland's largest city by population, are expressed in the deliberations and decisions of Glasgow City Council, in elections to the council, the Scottish Parliament and the UK Parliament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Municipalities of Scotland</span>

Below is a list of Municipalities of Scotland. Scottish municipalities have existed in the form of burgh, royal burgh, cities and, currently most common, local councils. Between 1855 and 1975, valuation rolls in Scotland were divided into counties and burghs. A burgh was a Scottish town which had certain privileges conferred by a charter and had a town council to run its affairs. Each burgh had its own separate legal and administrative status. A royal charter was issued to localities which were granted the title of royal burgh.

References

  1. 1892 c.55
  2. 1 2 "Aberdeen Corporation Act 1899", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, 1899 c. 60, retrieved 1 January 2023
  3. "The County of a City of Aberdeen". Aberdeen Weekly Journal. 22 November 1899. p. 3. Retrieved 1 January 2023. The Secretary for Scotland having fixed the 15th November as the prescribed date for the creation of Aberdeen as the county of a city...
  4. Dundee Corporation Act 1894 (57 & 58 Vict. c.lxxiv) "An Act to provide for the constitution of the City and Royal Burgh of Dundee as a County of a City and to confer various powers on the Lord Provost Magistrates and Town Council for affording greater facilities for transacting the public business of the said City and Burgh and for other purposes"
  5. Lewis, Samuel, ed. (1846). "Edinburgh". A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. British History Online. Retrieved 12 March 2009.
  6. County of the City of Glasgow Act 1893 (56 & 57 Vict. c. clxxxviii)
  7. City of Glasgow Act 1891 (54 & 55 Vict. c. cxxx), section 4.
  8. Glasgow Corporation Order Confirmation Act 1905 (5 Edw. 7. c. cxxvii), Schedule, section 4.
  9. "Records of the Convention of the Royal Burghs of Scotland with Extracts from Other Records Relating to the Affairs of the Burghs of Scotland. 1295-1597," p. 10, William Paterson, Edinburgh (1866)
  10. In 1936 Lord Lyon allowed Kelso to matriculate arms based on the seal of the Royal Burgh of Roxburgh or "Old Roxburgh" which had ceased to exist on the destruction of Roxburgh Castle in 1460. Kelso included part of the former royal burgh.Urquhart, R M (1973). Scottish Burgh and County Heraldry. London: Heraldry Today. pp. 238–239. ISBN   0-900455-24-1.

See also