For local government Local government in Scotland is organised through 32 unitary authorities consisting of councillors elected every four years by registered voters in each of the council areas purposes, Scotland Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the southwest. In addition to the mainland, Scotland is divided into 32 areas designated as "council areas" which are all governed by unitary authorities A unitary authority is a type of local authority that has a single tier and is responsible for all local government functions within its area or performs additional functions which elsewhere in the relevant country are usually performed by national government or a higher level of sub-national government[1] designated as "councils". They have the option under the Local Government (Gaelic Names) (Scotland) Act 1997[2] of being known (but not re-designated) as a "comhairle" when opting for a Gaelic name; only Na h-Eileanan Siar The Outer Hebrides, also known as the Western Isles and the Long Island, is an island chain off the west coast of Scotland. The islands are geographically contiguous with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, one of the 32 unitary council areas of Scotland has chosen this option.

The council areas have been in existence since 1 April 1996, under the provisions of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994.

Other administrative bodies (some of which are described below) still follow boundaries derived from older local government arrangements.

Contents

History of the subdivisions of Scotland

Further information: History of burghs The High Middle Ages of Scotland encompass Scotland in the era between the death of Domnall II in 900 AD and the death of king Alexander III in 1286. Alexander's death was an indirect cause of the Scottish Wars of Independence and History of local government in the United Kingdom The history of local government in the United Kingdom covers the development of local government in the United Kingdom since its formation in 1707. Each of the four countries of the United Kingdom has a separate system of local government with origins that predate the UK itself. Little changed until the 19th century after which each system

Before 1996 the local government divisions of Scotland were regions The local government areas of Scotland were redefined by the Local Government Act 1973 and redefined again by the Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994 and districts The local government areas of Scotland were redefined by the Local Government Act 1973 and redefined again by the Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994 (each region consisting of a number of districts) and unitary island council areas; that scheme was introduced on 16 May 1975.

Before then there existed counties The counties of Scotland were the principal divisions of Scotland until 1975. Scotland's current lieutenancy areas and registration counties are largely based on them, counties of cities, large burghs and small burghs, these being introduced since 1889. Before 1889 administration was on a burgh A Burgh was an autonomous corporate entity in Scotland, usually a town. This type of administrative division existed from the 12th century, when 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 " and parish A parish is a territorial unit that was usually historically served by a parish church or local church. This ecclesiastical administrative unit is typically found in these Churches: Roman Catholic, Anglican Communion, the Eastern Orthodox Church, Lutheran churches, and some Methodist, and Presbyterian churches basis.

Traditionally burghs have been the key unit of the local government of Scotland Local government in Scotland is organised through 32 unitary authorities consisting of councillors elected every four years by registered voters in each of the council areas, being highly autonomous An autonomous area is an area of a country that has a degree of autonomy, or freedom from an external authority. Typically it is either geographically distinct from the country or is populated by a national minority. Countries that include autonomous areas are often federacies. Autonomous areas can be divided into territorial autonomies, entities, with rights to representation in the old Parliament of Scotland The Parliament of Scotland, officially the Estates of Parliament, was the legislature of the Kingdom of Scotland. The unicameral parliament of Scotland is first found on record during the early twelfth century, with a meeting occurring around 1140 at Edinburgh Castle, and the first meeting for which a primary source survives was at Kirkliston (a. Even after the Acts of Union 1707 The Acts of Union were a pair of Parliamentary Acts passed in 1707 by the Parliament of Scotland and the Parliament of England to put into effect the terms of the Treaty of Union that had been agreed on 22 July 1706, following negotiation between commissioners representing the parliaments of the two countries. The Acts joined the Kingdom of, burghs continued to be the principal subdivision.

This section requires expansion.

Council areas

MAINLAND Area (sq miles) Area (km²) Population (2001) Density (per km²)
Aberdeen City 70 182 212,125 1164
Aberdeenshire 2439 6317 226,871 36
Angus Angus is one of the 32 local government council areas of Scotland, and a lieutenancy area. The council area borders onto Aberdeenshire, Perth and Kinross and Dundee City. Main industries include agriculture and fishing 843 2184 108,400 50
Argyll and Bute Argyll and Bute is both one of 32 unitary council areas; and a Lieutenancy area in Scotland. The administrative centre for the council area is located in Lochgilphead 2712 7023 91,306 13
Clackmannanshire 61 158 48,077 304
Dumfries and Galloway Dumfries and Galloway is one of 32 council areas of Scotland. To the north, it borders onto South Ayrshire, East Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire; in the east the Borders; and to the south the county of Cumbria in England. It lies to the north of the Solway Firth and to the east of the Irish Sea. The region is well-known for its many artists and 2489 6446 147,765 23
Dundee City 21 55 145,663 2648
East Ayrshire East Ayrshire is one of 32 council areas of Scotland. It borders on to North Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, South Lanarkshire, South Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway. With South Ayrshire and the mainland areas of North Ayrshire, it formed the former county of Ayrshire 492 1275 120,235 94
East Dunbartonshire 68 176 108,243 617
East Lothian East Lothian is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland, and a lieutenancy Area. It borders the City of Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Midlothian. Its administrative centre is Haddington, although its largest town is Musselburgh 257 666 90,088 135
East Renfrewshire 65 168 89,311 532
City of Edinburgh 100 260 448,624 1725
Falkirk 113 293 145,191 496
Fife Fife is a council area of Scotland. It is situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland boundaries to Perth and Kinross and Clackmannanshire. It was originally one of the Pictish kingdoms, known as Fib, and is still commonly known as the Kingdom of Fife within Scotland 517 1340 349,429 261
Glasgow City Glasgow (pronounced /ˈɡlæzɡoʊ/ ; Scots: Glesga Scottish Gaelic: Glaschu) is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands. A person from Glasgow is known as a Glaswegian, which is also the name of the local dialect 68 175 577,869 3307
Highland 10,085 26,119 208,914 8
Inverclyde Inverclyde is one of 32 council areas of Scotland. It borders onto Renfrewshire and North Ayrshire, and is otherwise surrounded by the Firth of Clyde. Inverclyde is one of three council areas contained within the boundaries of the historic Renfrewshire, the other two being East Renfrewshire and a Renfrewshire area with reduced boundaries. The 64 167 84,203 503
Midlothian Midlothian is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland, and a lieutenancy area. It borders the Scottish Borders, East Lothian and the City of Edinburgh council areas 135 350 80,941 231
Moray Moray is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland. It lies in the north-east of the country, with coastline on the Moray Firth, and borders the council areas of Aberdeenshire and Highland 864 2237 86,940 39
North Ayrshire North Ayrshire is one of 32 council areas of Scotland. It borders onto the areas of Inverclyde to the north, Renfrewshire to the north east, and East Ayrshire, and South Ayrshire to the East and South respectively 343 888 135,817 153
North Lanarkshire North Lanarkshire is one of 32 council areas in Scotland. It borders onto the north east of the City of Glasgow and contains much of Glasgow's suburbs and commuter towns and villages. It also borders Stirling, Falkirk, East Dunbartonshire, West Lothian and South Lanarkshire. The council covers parts of the former counties of Lanarkshire, 184 476 321,067 674
Perth and Kinross Perth and Kinross is one of 32 unitary council areas in Scotland, and a Lieutenancy Area. It borders onto the Aberdeenshire, Angus, Dundee City, Fife, Clackmannanshire, Stirling, Argyll and Bute and Highland council areas. Perth is the administrative centre. It corresponds broadly, but not exactly, with the former counties of Perthshire and 2083 5395 134,949 25
Renfrewshire Renfrewshire is one of 32 council areas used for local government in Scotland. It is one of three council areas contained within the boundaries of the historic Renfrewshire, also known as the County of Renfrew or Greater Renfrewshire, the other two being Inverclyde to the west and East Renfrewshire to the east. Renfrewshire can also refer to the 102 263 172,867 659
Scottish Borders The Scottish Borders is one of 32 local government council areas of Scotland. It is bordered by Dumfries and Galloway in the west, South Lanarkshire and West Lothian in the north west, City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian to the north; and the non-metropolitan counties of Northumberland and Cumbria in England to the south and east. The 1825 4727 106,764 23
South Ayrshire South Ayrshire is one of 32 council areas of Scotland, covering the southern part of Ayrshire. It borders onto East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway 475 1230 112,097 93
South Lanarkshire South Lanarkshire is one of 32 unitary council areas of Scotland, covering the southern part of the former county of Lanarkshire. It borders the south-east of the city of Glasgow and contains many of Glasgow's suburbs, commuter towns and smaller villages 686 1778 302,216 170
Stirling 866 2243 86,212 38
West Dunbartonshire West Dunbartonshire is one of the 32 local government council areas of Scotland. Bordering onto the west of the City of Glasgow, containing many of Glasgow's commuter towns and villages as well as the city's suburbs. West Dunbartonshire also Borders onto Argyll and Bute, Stirling, East Dunbartonshire and Renfrewshire 68 176 93,378 531
West Lothian West Lothian is one of the 32 unitary council areas in Scotland, and a Lieutenancy area. It borders the City of Edinburgh, Scottish Borders, South Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire and Falkirk 165 427 158,714 372
TOTAL MAINLAND 28,260 73,193 4,994,276 68
ISLANDS
Na h-Eileanan Siar The Outer Hebrides, also known as the Western Isles and the Long Island, is an island chain off the west coast of Scotland. The islands are geographically contiguous with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, one of the 32 unitary council areas of Scotland 1185 3070 26,502 9
Orkney Islands Orkney, also known as the Orkney Islands, , is an archipelago in northern Scotland, situated 10 miles (16 km) north of the coast of Caithness. Orkney comprises approximately 70 islands of which 20 are inhabited. The largest island, known as the "Mainland" has an area of 523.25 square kilometres (202.03 sq mi) making it the sixth largest 396 1025 19,245 19
Shetland Islands Coordinates: 60°18′14″N 1°16′08″W / 60.3038°N 1.2689°W Shetland is an archipelago in Scotland, off the northeast coast. The islands lie to the northeast of Orkney, 280 km (170 mi) from the Faroe Islands and form part of the division between the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the North Sea to the east. The total area is 568 1471 21,988 15
TOTAL ISLANDS 2149 5566 67,735 12
TOTAL SCOTLAND 30,409 78,759 5,062,011 64

Other subdivisions

Scotland has several other administrative divisions, some of which are handled by joint boards of the councils.

Police and fire services

Police The police are persons empowered to enforce the law, protect property and reduce civil disorder. Their powers include the legitimized use of force. The term is most commonly associated with police services of a state that are authorized to exercise the police power of that state within a defined legal or territorial area of responsibility. Police and fire Firefighters, often colloquially called firemen, are rescuers extensively trained primarily to put out hazardous fires that threaten civilian populations and property, to rescue people from car incidents, collapsed and burning buildings and other such situations. The increasing complexity of modern industrialized life with an increase in the scale service areas date from the era (1975 to 1996) of regions and districts and island council areas.

Services Original area (former regions) Council areas
Central Scotland Police Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service Central Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and Stirling
Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue Service Dumfries and Galloway Dumfries and Galloway is one of 32 council areas of Scotland. To the north, it borders onto South Ayrshire, East Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire; in the east the Borders; and to the south the county of Cumbria in England. It lies to the north of the Solway Firth and to the east of the Irish Sea. The region is well-known for its many artists and Dumfries and Galloway Dumfries and Galloway is one of 32 council areas of Scotland. To the north, it borders onto South Ayrshire, East Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire; in the east the Borders; and to the south the county of Cumbria in England. It lies to the north of the Solway Firth and to the east of the Irish Sea. The region is well-known for its many artists and
Fife Constabulary Fife Fire and Rescue Service Fife Fife is a council area of Scotland. It is situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland boundaries to Perth and Kinross and Clackmannanshire. It was originally one of the Pictish kingdoms, known as Fib, and is still commonly known as the Kingdom of Fife within Scotland Fife Fife is a council area of Scotland. It is situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland boundaries to Perth and Kinross and Clackmannanshire. It was originally one of the Pictish kingdoms, known as Fib, and is still commonly known as the Kingdom of Fife within Scotland
Grampian Police Grampian Police is the police force for the north east of Scotland, covering the council areas of Aberdeenshire, City of Aberdeen and Moray . The Force area also covers the North Sea, giving Grampian Police the responsibility of Policing the Oil and Gas Platforms of the North East. The force is headquartered on Queen Street in Aberdeen and, for Grampian Fire and Rescue Service Grampian Grampian was a local government region of Scotland from 1975 to 1996. It is now divided into the unitary council areas of: Aberdeenshire, the City of Aberdeen and Moray Moray is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland. It lies in the north-east of the country, with coastline on the Moray Firth, and borders the council areas of Aberdeenshire and Highland
Lothian and Borders Police Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service Lothians Lothian forms a traditional region of Scotland, lying between the southern shore of the Firth of Forth and the Lammermuir Hills. In Lothian there is Edinburgh City, West Lothian, Mid Lothian and East Lothian. The principal settlement in Lothian is the Scottish capital, Edinburgh. Towns include Livingston, Linlithgow, Bathgate and Dunbar and the Scottish Borders The Scottish Borders is one of 32 local government council areas of Scotland. It is bordered by Dumfries and Galloway in the west, South Lanarkshire and West Lothian in the north west, City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian to the north; and the non-metropolitan counties of Northumberland and Cumbria in England to the south and east. The The City of Edinburgh, East Lothian East Lothian is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland, and a lieutenancy Area. It borders the City of Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Midlothian. Its administrative centre is Haddington, although its largest town is Musselburgh, Scottish Borders The Scottish Borders is one of 32 local government council areas of Scotland. It is bordered by Dumfries and Galloway in the west, South Lanarkshire and West Lothian in the north west, City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian to the north; and the non-metropolitan counties of Northumberland and Cumbria in England to the south and east. The, Midlothian and West Lothian
Northern Constabulary Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service Highland, Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles Highland, Orkney, Shetland and Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles)
Strathclyde Police Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Strathclyde Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, City of Glasgow, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire
Tayside Police Tayside Fire and Rescue Service Tayside Angus, the City of Dundee and Perth & Kinross

Electoral and valuation

There are several joint boards for electoral registration and the purposes of property valuation for assessing council tax and rates.[3]

Joint board area Council areas
Ayrshire Ayrshire and Arran in other contexts East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire, South Ayrshire
Borders Scottish Borders
Central Scotland Clackmannanshire, Falkirk, Stirling
Dumfries and Galloway Dumfries and Galloway
Dunbartonshire and Argyll & Bute East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire, Argyll and Bute
Fife Fife
Grampian Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray
Glasgow Glasgow
Highlands and Western Isles Highland and Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles)
Lanarkshire North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire
Lothian East Lothian, Edinburgh, Midlothian, West Lothian
Orkney and Shetland Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands
Renfrewshire East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, Renfrewshire
Tayside Angus, Dundee, Perth and Kinross

Health

See also NHS Scotland

Health board area Council areas
Ayrshire and Arran East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire and South Ayrshire
Borders Scottish Borders
Dumfries and Galloway Dumfries and Galloway
Fife Fife
Forth Valley Central Scotland in other contexts Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and Stirling
Grampian Aberdeenshire, City of Aberdeen and Moray
Greater Glasgow and Clyde City of Glasgow, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire, together with the towns of Cambuslang and Rutherglen in South Lanarkshire
Highland Argyll and Bute and Highland
Lanarkshire North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire (excepting the towns of Cambuslang and Rutherglen which are in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area)
Lothian City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian
Orkney Orkney Islands
Shetland Shetland Islands
Tayside Angus, City of Dundee and Perth and Kinross
Western Isles (Eileanan Siar) Western Isles (Na h-Eileanan Siar)

Transport

See also: Transport Scotland

The Scottish Government has created seven "Regional Transport Partnerships", for establishing transport policy in the regions. They broadly follow council area groupings.

RTP area Council areas
NESTRANS Aberdeen, Aberdeensire
TACTRAN Angus, Dundee, Perth and Kinross, Stirling
HITRANS Argyll and Bute (except Helensburgh and Lomond), Highland, Moray, Western Isles, Orkney
Shetland Shetland
SEStran Edinburgh, Clackmannanshire, East Lothian, Falkirk, Midlothian, Fife, Scottish Borders, West Lothian
SWESTRANS Dumfries and Galloway
Strathclyde Partnership for Transport Argyll and Bute (Helensburgh and Lomond only), West Dunbartonshire, East Dunbartonshire, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, Glasgow, East Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, South Ayrshire, East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire

Sheriffdoms

Sheriffdoms are judicial areas. Since 1 January 1975 these have been six in number:[4]

Civil parishes

Scotland is divided into 871 civil parishes. Although they have had no administrative function since 1930, they still exist and are still used for statistical purposes such as the census. Many former civil parish areas also continue to form current registration districts.

Communities

The base level of sub-division in Scotland is that of communities which may elect community councils (CCs). The main role of the CCs is to channel local opinion to larger local-government bodies. Otherwise they have very limited powers. There are around 1200 communities in Scotland. Not all communities have councils; some have joint councils.

Scottish communities are the nearest equivalent to civil parishes in England.

See also

References

  1. ^ With respect to Scotland the phrase "unitary authority" is merely descriptive; in the United Kingdom the phrase "unitary authority" as a designation is specific to English local government areas.
  2. ^ Local Government (Gaelic Names) (Scotland) Act 1997
  3. ^ Scottish Assessors Association
  4. ^ The Sheriffdoms Reorganisation Order 1974 S.I. 1974/2087 (S.191)
Subdivisions of Scotland
Regions · Counties · Burghs · Lieutenancy areas
Administrative geography of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom • Local government • History Lieutenancy areas • Counties (list)
England • Local government • History Subdivisions: Regions • Ceremonial counties • Metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties • Unitary authorities • Districts (list) • Civil parishes (list)
Northern Ireland • Local government • History Subdivisions: Counties • Districts
Scotland • Local government • History Subdivisions: Sheriffdoms • Lieutenancy areas • Council areas • Community council areas (list)
Wales • Local government • History Subdivisions: Preserved counties • Principal areas • Communities (list)

Categories: Subdivisions of Scotland

 

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