Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973

The Local Government Act 1973 (c. 65) is an Act

Act of Parliament

An Act of Parliament is a statute enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament. In the Republic of Ireland the term Act of the Oireachtas is used, and in the United States the term Act of Congress is used.In Commonwealth countries, the term is used both in a narrow...

 of the Parliament of the United Kingdom

Parliament of the United Kingdom

The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...

, that reformed local government

Local government of Scotland

Local government in Scotland is organised through 32 unitary authorities designated as Councils which consist of councillors elected every four years by registered voters in each of the council areas....

 in Scotland

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...

, on May 16, 1975.

The Act followed and largely implemented the report of the Royal Commission on Local Government in Scotland in 1969 (the Wheatley Report

Wheatley Report

The Wheatley Report is the name generally given to the report published in September 1969 by the Royal Commission on Local Government in Scotland, or Wheatley Commission, under the chairmanship of Lord Wheatley...

) and it made the most far-reaching changes in Scottish local government in a century or more. It swept away the counties

Counties of Scotland

The counties of Scotland were the principal local government divisions of Scotland until 1975. Scotland's current lieutenancy areas and registration counties are largely based on them. They are often referred to as historic counties....

, large burghs and small burgh

Burgh

A burgh was an autonomous corporate entity in Scotland and Northern England, usually a town. 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...

s and districts established by the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1947

Local Government (Scotland) Act 1947

The Local Government Act 1947 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, that reformed local government in Scotland, on 1 October 1947....

, and replaced it by a uniform two-tier system of regional and district councils (except in the islands, which were given unitary, all-purpose councils).

In England

England

England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...

 and Wales

Wales

Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...

, the Local Government Act 1972

Local Government Act 1972

The Local Government Act 1972 is an Act of Parliament in the United Kingdom that reformed local government in England and Wales on 1 April 1974....

 established a similar system of two-tier administrative county

Metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties of England

Metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties are one of the four levels of subdivisions of England used for the purposes of local government outside Greater London. As originally constituted, the metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties each consisted of multiple districts, had a county council and...

 and district councils.

The Act

The Act abolished previous existing local government structures, and created a two-tier system of regions and districts on the mainland and a unitary system in the islands. Although called two-tier, the system was really three-tier, as it allowed for the formation of community council

Community council

A community council is a public representative body in Great Britain.In England they may be statutory parish councils by another name, under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, or they may be non-statutory bodies...

s. The Act also established the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland

Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland

The Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland is an independent body in Scotland created under the Local Government Act 1973...

, with the remit to make proposals to the Secretary of State for effecting changes which it thought desirable in the interests of effective and convenient local government.

Regions

Region	Composed of
Highland Highland (council area) Highland is a council area in the Scottish Highlands and is the largest local government area in both Scotland and the United Kingdom as a whole. It shares borders with the council areas of Moray, Aberdeenshire, Perth and Kinross, and Argyll and Bute. Their councils, and those of Angus and...	The county of Caithness Caithness Caithness is a registration county, lieutenancy area and historic local government area of Scotland. The name was used also for the earldom of Caithness and the Caithness constituency of the Parliament of the United Kingdom . Boundaries are not identical in all contexts, but the Caithness area is... . The county of Nairn. The county of Sutherland Sutherland Sutherland is a registration county, lieutenancy area and historic administrative county of Scotland. It is now within the Highland local government area. In Gaelic the area is referred to according to its traditional areas: Dùthaich 'IcAoidh , Asainte , and Cataibh... . In the county of Argyll Argyll Argyll , archaically Argyle , is a region of western Scotland corresponding with most of the part of ancient Dál Riata that was located on the island of Great Britain, and in a historical context can be used to mean the entire western coast between the Mull of Kintyre and Cape Wrath... —the district of Ardnamurchan Ardnamurchan Ardnamurchan is a peninsula in Lochaber, Highland, Scotland, noted for being very unspoilt and undisturbed. Its remoteness is accentuated by the main access route being a single track road for much of its length.-Geography:... ; the electoral divisions of Ballachulish Ballachulish The village of Ballachulish in Lochaber, Highland, Scotland, is centred around former slate quarries. The name Ballachulish was more correctly applied to the area now called North Ballachulish, to the north of Loch Leven, but was usurped for the quarry villages at East Laroch and West Laroch,... , Kinlochleven Kinlochleven Kinlochleven is a village in Lochaber, in the Scottish Highlands and lies at the eastern end of Loch Leven, a sea loch cutting into the western Scottish Highlands. To the north lie the Mamores ridge; to the south lie the mountains flanking Glen Coe... . The county of Inverness Inverness-shire The County of Inverness or Inverness-shire was a general purpose county of Scotland, with the burgh of Inverness as the county town, until 1975, when, under the Local Government Act 1973, the county area was divided between the two-tier Highland region and the unitary Western Isles. The Highland...  (except the districts of Barra Barra The island of Barra is a predominantly Gaelic-speaking island, and apart from the adjacent island of Vatersay, to which it is connected by a causeway, is the southernmost inhabited island of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland.-Geography:The 2001 census showed that the resident population was 1,078... , Harris, North Uist North Uist North Uist is an island and community in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.-Geography:North Uist is the tenth largest Scottish island and the thirteenth largest island surrounding Great Britain. It has an area of , slightly smaller than South Uist. North Uist is connected by causeways to Benbecula... , South Uist South Uist South Uist is an island of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. In the 2001 census it had a usually resident population of 1,818. There is a nature reserve and a number of sites of archaeological interest, including the only location in Great Britain where prehistoric mummies have been found. The... ). In the county of Moray—the burgh of Grantown-on-Spey Grantown-on-Spey Grantown-on-Spey is a town in the Highland Council Area in Scotland.It was founded in 1765 as a planned settlement on a low plateau at Freuchie beside the river Spey at the northern edge of the Cairngorm mountains, about 20 miles South East of Inverness .It is the main town in what was the... ; the district of Cromdale Cromdale Cromdale is a village in Highland, Scotland and one of the ancient parishes which formed the combined ecclesiastical parish of "Cromdale, Inverallan and Advie" in Morayshire.... . The county of Ross and Cromarty Ross and Cromarty Ross and Cromarty is a variously defined area in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. There is a registration county and a lieutenancy area in current use...  (except the burgh of Stornoway; the district of Lewis Lewis Lewis is the northern part of Lewis and Harris, the largest island of the Western Isles or Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The total area of Lewis is .... ).
Grampian Grampian Grampian was a local government region of Scotland from 1975 to 1996. It is now divided into the unitary council areas of:*Moray*Aberdeenshire*City of AberdeenThe region had five districts:*Aberdeen*Banff and Buchan...	The county of the city of Aberdeen Aberdeen Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of .... . The county of Aberdeen Aberdeenshire (historic) Aberdeenshire or the County of Aberdeen is a registration county of Scotland. This area is also a lieutenancy area.Until 1975 Aberdeenshire was one of the counties of Scotland, governed by a county council from 1890... . The county of Kincardine Kincardineshire The County of Kincardine, also known as Kincardineshire or The Mearns was a local government county on the coast of northeast Scotland... . The county of Banff Banffshire The County of Banff is a registration county for property, and Banffshire is a Lieutenancy area of Scotland.The County of Banff, also known as Banffshire, was a local government county of Scotland with its own county council between 1890 and 1975. The county town was Banff although the largest... . The county of Moray (except the burgh of Grantown-on-Spey Grantown-on-Spey Grantown-on-Spey is a town in the Highland Council Area in Scotland.It was founded in 1765 as a planned settlement on a low plateau at Freuchie beside the river Spey at the northern edge of the Cairngorm mountains, about 20 miles South East of Inverness .It is the main town in what was the... ; the district of Cromdale Cromdale Cromdale is a village in Highland, Scotland and one of the ancient parishes which formed the combined ecclesiastical parish of "Cromdale, Inverallan and Advie" in Morayshire.... ).
Tayside Tayside Tayside Region was a local government region of Scotland from 15 May 1975 to 31 March 1996. It was created by the 1973 Act following recommendations made by the 1969 Wheatley Report which attempted to replace the mishmash of counties, cities, burghs and districts, with a uniform two-tier system...	The county of the city of Dundee Dundee Dundee is the fourth-largest city in Scotland and the 39th most populous settlement in the United Kingdom. It lies within the eastern central Lowlands on the north bank of the Firth of Tay, which feeds into the North Sea... . The county of Angus Angus Angus is one of the 32 local government council areas of Scotland, a registration county and a lieutenancy area. The council area borders Aberdeenshire, Perth and Kinross and Dundee City... . The county of Kinross Kinross-shire Kinross-shire or the County of Kinross is a registration county, electoral ward and historic county in the Perth and Kinross council area in the east central Lowlands of Scotland... . The county of Perth Perthshire Perthshire, officially the County of Perth , is a registration county in central Scotland. It extends from Strathmore in the east, to the Pass of Drumochter in the north, Rannoch Moor and Ben Lui in the west, and Aberfoyle in the south...  (except the burghs of Callander Callander Callander is a burgh in the region of Stirling, Scotland, situated on the River Teith. The town is located in the former county of Perthshire and is a popular tourist stop to and from the Highlands.... , Doune Doune Doune is a burgh in the district of Stirling, Scotland, on the River Teith. Doune's postal address places the town in Perthshire, although geographically it lies within the District of Stirling, and administratively Doune is under the control of Stirling Council... , Dunblane Dunblane Dunblane is a small cathedral city and former burgh north of Stirling in the Stirling council area of Scotland. The town is situated off the A9 road, on the way north to Perth. Its main landmark is Dunblane Cathedral and the Allan Water runs through the town centre, with the Cathedral and the High... ; the Western district (except the electoral division of Ardoch Ardoch Ardoch Roman Fort is an archaeological site just outside the village of Braco in Perthshire, Scotland, about 7 miles south of Crieff. At Ardoch are the remains of a Roman fort and castra which included Ardoch Tower... ); the parish of Muckhart Muckhart Muckhart commonly refers to two small villages in Clackmannanshire, Scotland, Pool of Muckhart and Yetts o' Muckhart. Muckhart is one of the Hillfoots Villages, situated on the A91 around 3 miles north-east of Dollar... ).
Fife Fife Fife is a council area and former county of Scotland. It is situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland boundaries to Perth and Kinross and Clackmannanshire...	The county of Fife.
Lothian Lothian Lothian forms a traditional region of Scotland, lying between the southern shore of the Firth of Forth and the Lammermuir Hills....	The county of the city of Edinburgh Edinburgh Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area... . The county of East Lothian 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.... . The county of Midlothian 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....  (except the electoral division of Heriot Heriot, Scotland Heriot is a small village in the Moorfoot Hills southeast of Edinburgh, Scotland, within Eildon . The village comprises some 150 dwellings, spread over a geographical area of around , most of which is moorland...  and Stow Stow, Scottish Borders Stow of Wedale, or simply Stow, is a village in the Scottish Borders area of Scotland, seven miles north of Galashiels. Population 620 .-The name:... ). The county of West Lothian West Lothian West Lothian is one of the 32 unitary council areas in Scotland, and a Lieutenancy area. It borders the City of Edinburgh, Falkirk, North Lanarkshire, the Scottish Borders and South Lanarkshire....  (except the burgh of Bo'ness Bo'ness Bo'ness, properly Borrowstounness, is a coastal town in the Central Lowlands of Scotland. It lies on a hillside on the south bank of the Firth of Forth within the Falkirk council area, north-west of Edinburgh and east of Falkirk. At the 2001 census, Bo'ness had a resident population of 13,961... ; the district of Bo'ness Bo'ness Bo'ness, properly Borrowstounness, is a coastal town in the Central Lowlands of Scotland. It lies on a hillside on the south bank of the Firth of Forth within the Falkirk council area, north-west of Edinburgh and east of Falkirk. At the 2001 census, Bo'ness had a resident population of 13,961... ).
Borders 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...	The county of Berwick Berwickshire Berwickshire or the County of Berwick is a registration county, a committee area of the Scottish Borders Council, and a lieutenancy area of Scotland, on the border with England. The town after which it is named—Berwick-upon-Tweed—was lost by Scotland to England in 1482... . The county of Peebles Peeblesshire Peeblesshire , the County of Peebles or Tweeddale was a county of Scotland. Its main town was Peebles, and it bordered Midlothian to the north, Selkirkshire to the east, Dumfriesshire to the south, and Lanarkshire to the west.After the local government reorganisation of 1975 the use of the name... . The county of Roxburgh Roxburghshire Roxburghshire or the County of Roxburgh is a registration county of Scotland. It borders Dumfries to the west, Selkirk to the north-west, and Berwick to the north. To the south-east it borders Cumbria and Northumberland in England.It was named after the Royal Burgh of Roxburgh... . The county of Selkirk Selkirkshire Selkirkshire or the County of Selkirk is a registration county of Scotland. It borders Peeblesshire to the west, Midlothian to the north, Berwickshire to the north-east, Roxburghshire to the east, and Dumfriesshire to the south... . In the county of Midlothian—the electoral division of Heriot Heriot, Scotland Heriot is a small village in the Moorfoot Hills southeast of Edinburgh, Scotland, within Eildon . The village comprises some 150 dwellings, spread over a geographical area of around , most of which is moorland...  and Stow Stow, Scottish Borders Stow of Wedale, or simply Stow, is a village in the Scottish Borders area of Scotland, seven miles north of Galashiels. Population 620 .-The name:... .
Central Central Region, Scotland Central Region was a local government region of Scotland from 1975 to 1996. It is now divided into the council areas of Falkirk, Stirling, and Clackmannanshire, which had previously been districts within Central...	The county of Clackmannan Clackmannanshire Clackmannanshire, often abbreviated to Clacks is a local government council area in Scotland, and a lieutenancy area, bordering Perth and Kinross, Stirling and Fife.As Scotland's smallest historic county, it is often nicknamed 'The Wee County'.... . In the county of Perth—the burghs of Callander Callander Callander is a burgh in the region of Stirling, Scotland, situated on the River Teith. The town is located in the former county of Perthshire and is a popular tourist stop to and from the Highlands.... , Doune Doune Doune is a burgh in the district of Stirling, Scotland, on the River Teith. Doune's postal address places the town in Perthshire, although geographically it lies within the District of Stirling, and administratively Doune is under the control of Stirling Council... , Dunblane Dunblane Dunblane is a small cathedral city and former burgh north of Stirling in the Stirling council area of Scotland. The town is situated off the A9 road, on the way north to Perth. Its main landmark is Dunblane Cathedral and the Allan Water runs through the town centre, with the Cathedral and the High... ; the Western district (except the electoral division of Ardoch Ardoch Ardoch Roman Fort is an archaeological site just outside the village of Braco in Perthshire, Scotland, about 7 miles south of Crieff. At Ardoch are the remains of a Roman fort and castra which included Ardoch Tower... ); the parish of Muckhart Muckhart Muckhart commonly refers to two small villages in Clackmannanshire, Scotland, Pool of Muckhart and Yetts o' Muckhart. Muckhart is one of the Hillfoots Villages, situated on the A91 around 3 miles north-east of Dollar... . The county of Stirling Stirlingshire Stirlingshire or the County of Stirling is a registration county of Scotland, based around Stirling, the former county town. It borders Perthshire to the north, Clackmannanshire and West Lothian to the east, Lanarkshire to the south, and Dunbartonshire to the south-west.Until 1975 it was a county...  (except the burgh of Kilsyth Kilsyth Kilsyth is a town of 10,100 roughly halfway between Glasgow and Stirling in North Lanarkshire, Scotland.-Location:... ; Western No. 3 district; the electoral division of Kilsyth West; the polling district of Kilsyth East (Banton)). In the county of West Lothian—the burgh of Bo'ness Bo'ness Bo'ness, properly Borrowstounness, is a coastal town in the Central Lowlands of Scotland. It lies on a hillside on the south bank of the Firth of Forth within the Falkirk council area, north-west of Edinburgh and east of Falkirk. At the 2001 census, Bo'ness had a resident population of 13,961... ; the district of Bo'ness Bo'ness Bo'ness, properly Borrowstounness, is a coastal town in the Central Lowlands of Scotland. It lies on a hillside on the south bank of the Firth of Forth within the Falkirk council area, north-west of Edinburgh and east of Falkirk. At the 2001 census, Bo'ness had a resident population of 13,961... .
Strathclyde Strathclyde right|thumb|the former Strathclyde regionStrathclyde was one of nine former local government regions of Scotland created by the Local Government Act 1973 and abolished in 1996 by the Local Government etc Act 1994...	The county of the city of Glasgow Glasgow Glasgow 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... . The county of Bute. The county of Dunbarton. The county of Lanark Lanarkshire Lanarkshire or the County of Lanark ) is a Lieutenancy area, registration county and former local government county in the central Lowlands of Scotland... . The county of Renfrew Renfrewshire Renfrewshire is one of 32 council areas used for local government in Scotland. Located in the west central Lowlands, it is one of three council areas contained within the boundaries of the historic county of Renfrewshire, the others being Inverclyde to the west and East Renfrewshire to the east... . The county of Argyll (except the district of Ardnamurchan Ardnamurchan Ardnamurchan is a peninsula in Lochaber, Highland, Scotland, noted for being very unspoilt and undisturbed. Its remoteness is accentuated by the main access route being a single track road for much of its length.-Geography:... ; the electoral divisions of Ballachulish Ballachulish The village of Ballachulish in Lochaber, Highland, Scotland, is centred around former slate quarries. The name Ballachulish was more correctly applied to the area now called North Ballachulish, to the north of Loch Leven, but was usurped for the quarry villages at East Laroch and West Laroch,...  and Kinlochleven Kinlochleven Kinlochleven is a village in Lochaber, in the Scottish Highlands and lies at the eastern end of Loch Leven, a sea loch cutting into the western Scottish Highlands. To the north lie the Mamores ridge; to the south lie the mountains flanking Glen Coe... ). The county of Ayr Ayrshire Ayrshire is a registration county, and former administrative county in south-west Scotland, United Kingdom, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. Its principal towns include Ayr, Kilmarnock and Irvine. The town of Troon on the coast has hosted the British Open Golf Championship twice in the... . In the county of Stirling—the burgh of Kilsyth Kilsyth Kilsyth is a town of 10,100 roughly halfway between Glasgow and Stirling in North Lanarkshire, Scotland.-Location:... ; Western No. 3 district; the electoral division of Kilsyth West; the polling district of Kilsyth East (Banton).
Dumfries and Galloway Dumfries and Galloway Dumfries and Galloway is one of 32 unitary council areas of Scotland. It was one of the nine administrative 'regions' of mainland Scotland created in 1975 by the Local Government etc. Act 1973...	The county of Dumfries Dumfriesshire Dumfriesshire or the County of Dumfries is a registration county of Scotland. The lieutenancy area of Dumfries has similar boundaries.Until 1975 it was a county. Its county town was Dumfries... . The county of Kirkcudbright Kirkcudbrightshire The Stewartry of Kirkcudbright or Kirkcudbrightshire was a county of south-western Scotland. It was also known as East Galloway, forming the larger Galloway region with Wigtownshire.... . The county of Wigtown Wigtownshire Wigtownshire or the County of Wigtown is a registration county in the Southern Uplands of south west Scotland. Until 1975, the county was one of the administrative counties used for local government purposes, and is now administered as part of the council area of Dumfries and Galloway... .

Island areas

Island area	Composed of
Orkney	The county of Orkney.
Shetland	The county of Zetland.
Western Isles	In the county of Inverness—the districts of Barra Barra The island of Barra is a predominantly Gaelic-speaking island, and apart from the adjacent island of Vatersay, to which it is connected by a causeway, is the southernmost inhabited island of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland.-Geography:The 2001 census showed that the resident population was 1,078... , Harris, North Uist North Uist North Uist is an island and community in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.-Geography:North Uist is the tenth largest Scottish island and the thirteenth largest island surrounding Great Britain. It has an area of , slightly smaller than South Uist. North Uist is connected by causeways to Benbecula... , South Uist South Uist South Uist is an island of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. In the 2001 census it had a usually resident population of 1,818. There is a nature reserve and a number of sites of archaeological interest, including the only location in Great Britain where prehistoric mummies have been found. The... . In the county of Ross and Cromarty—the burgh of Stornoway; the district of Lewis Lewis Lewis is the northern part of Lewis and Harris, the largest island of the Western Isles or Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The total area of Lewis is .... .

Districts

Region	District	Composed of
Highland	Caithness Caithness Caithness is a registration county, lieutenancy area and historic local government area of Scotland. The name was used also for the earldom of Caithness and the Caithness constituency of the Parliament of the United Kingdom . Boundaries are not identical in all contexts, but the Caithness area is...	The county of Caithness. In the county of Sutherland—the district of Tongue and Farr.
	Sutherland Sutherland Sutherland is a registration county, lieutenancy area and historic administrative county of Scotland. It is now within the Highland local government area. In Gaelic the area is referred to according to its traditional areas: Dùthaich 'IcAoidh , Asainte , and Cataibh...	The county of Sutherland (except the district of Tongue and Farr). In the county of Ross and Cromarty—the electoral division of Kincardine.
	Ross and Cromarty Ross and Cromarty Ross and Cromarty is a variously defined area in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. There is a registration county and a lieutenancy area in current use...	In the county of Ross and Cromarty—the burghs of Cromarty, Dingwall, Fortrose, Invergordon, Tain; the districts of Avoch, Dingwall, Fearn, Fortrose, Gairloch, Invergordon, Lochbroom, Lochcarron, Muir of Ord; the electoral division of Edderton and Tain.
	Skye and Lochalsh Skye and Lochalsh Skye and Lochalsh is one of eight former local government districts of the two-tier Highland region of Scotland. The main offices of the Skye and Lochalsh district council were in Portree, on the Isle of Skye.-History:...	In the county of Inverness—the district of Skye. In the county of Ross and Cromarty—the South West district.
	Lochaber Lochaber District of Lochaber 1975 to 1996Highland council area shown as one of the council areas of ScotlandLochaber is one of the 16 ward management areas of the Highland Council of Scotland and one of eight former local government districts of the two-tier Highland region...	In the county of Argyll—the district of Ardnamurchan; the electoral divisions of Ballachulish, Kinlochleven. In the county of Inverness—the burgh of Fort William; the district of Lochaber.
	Inverness Inverness Inverness is a city in the Scottish Highlands. It is the administrative centre for the Highland council area, and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands of Scotland...	In the county of Inverness—the burgh of Inverness; the districts of Aird, Inverness.
	Badenoch and Strathspey Badenoch and Strathspey Badenoch and Strathspey as a local government district 1975 to 1996Badenoch and Strathspey is a local government ward of the Highland council area and a ward management area of the Highland Council in Scotland...	In the county of Inverness—the burgh of Kingussie; the district of Badenoch. In the county of Moray—the burgh of Grantown-on-Spey; the district of Cromdale.
	Nairn	The county of Nairn.
Grampian	Moray 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.- History :...	The county of Moray (except the burgh of Grantown-on-Spey; the district of Cromdale). In the county of Banff—the burghs of Aberlour, Buckie, Cullen, Dufftown, Findochty, Keith, Portknockie; the districts of Buckie, Cullen (except the electoral division of Fordyce), Dufftown, Keith.
	Banff and Buchan Banff and Buchan Banff and Buchan is a committee area of the Aberdeenshire Council, Scotland.It has a population of 35,742 . Fishing and agriculture are important industries, together with associated processing and service activity....	In the county of Banff—the burghs of Aberchirder, Banff, Macduff, Portsoy; the districts of Aberchirder, Banff; the electoral division of Fordyce. In the county of Aberdeen—the burghs of Fraserburgh, Peterhead, Rosehearty, Turriff; the districts of Deer Turriff; the electoral division of Cruden.
	Gordon	In the county of Aberdeen—the burghs of Ellon, Huntly, Inverurie, Kintore, Oldmeldrum; the districts of Aberdeen (except the electoral divisions of Bucksburn Bucksburn Bucksburn is an area of the city of Aberdeen, Scotland, named after the stream that flows through it. Bucksburn was formerly a market village before being swallowed up by the spread of the city. It is now categorised as a "Neighbourhood" by Aberdeen City Council... , Newhills Landward, Old Machar, Stoneywood and the parishes of Drumoak, Dyce, Peterculter), Alford, Ellon (except the electoral division of Cruden), Garioch, Huntly.
	City of Aberdeen	The county of the city of Aberdeen. In the county of Aberdeen—the electoral divisions of Bucksburn Bucksburn Bucksburn is an area of the city of Aberdeen, Scotland, named after the stream that flows through it. Bucksburn was formerly a market village before being swallowed up by the spread of the city. It is now categorised as a "Neighbourhood" by Aberdeen City Council... , Newhills Landward, Old Machar, Stoneywood; the parishes of Dyce, Peterculter. In the county of Kincardine—the electoral division of Nigg.
	Kincardine and Deeside Kincardine and Deeside Kincardine and Deeside was formerly a local government district inthe Grampian Region of Scotland.In 1996 it was included in the Aberdeenshire unitary area.-History:...	In the county of Aberdeen—the burgh of Ballater; the district of Deeside; the parish of Drumoak. In the county of Kincardine—the burghs of Banchory, Inverbervie, Laurencekirk, Stonehaven; the districts of Laurencekirk, St. Cyrus, Stonehaven, Upper Deeside; the electoral divisions of Banchory-Devenick, Maryculter.
Tayside	Angus Angus Angus is one of the 32 local government council areas of Scotland, a registration county and a lieutenancy area. The council area borders Aberdeenshire, Perth and Kinross and Dundee City...	In the county of Angus—the burghs of Arbroath, Brechin, Carnoustie, Forfar, Kirriemuir, Montrose; the districts of Brechin, Carnoustie, Forfar, Kirriemuir, Montrose; the parish of Newtyle.
	City of Dundee	The county of the city of Dundee. In the county of Angus—the burgh of Monifieth; the district of Monifieth (except the electoral division of Newtyle and Kettins). In the county of Perth—the electoral division of Longforgan.
	Perth and Kinross Perth and Kinross Perth and Kinross is one of 32 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...	The county of Kinross. In the county of Angus—the parish of Kettins. In the county of Perth—the burghs of Aberfeldy, Abernethy, Alyth, Auchterarder, Blairgowrie and Rattray, Coupar Angus, Crieff, Perth, Pitlochry; the districts Central (except the parish of Muckhart), Eastern Highland, Perth (except the electoral division of Longforgan); the electoral division of Ardoch.
Fife	Kirkcaldy Kirkcaldy Kirkcaldy is a town and former royal burgh in Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. The town lies on a shallow bay on the northern shore of the Firth of Forth; SSE of Glenrothes, ENE of Dunfermline, WSW of Dundee and NNE of Edinburgh...	In the county of Fife—the burghs of Buckhaven and Methil, Burntisland, Kinghorn, Kirkcaldy, Leslie, Leven, Markinch; the districts of Glenrothes, Kirkcaldy (except that part of the electoral division of Auchtertool within the Gray Park polling district), Wemyss; the electoral divisions of Auchterderran, Denend, Kinglassie, New Carden.
	North East Fife	In the county of Fife—the burghs of Auchtermuchty, Crail, Cupar, Elie and Earlsferry, Falkland, Kilrenny, Anstruther, Easter and Wester, Ladybank, Newburgh, Newport-on-Tay, Pittenweem, St. Andrews, St. Monance, Tayport; the districts of Cupar, St. Andrews.
	Dunfermline Dunfermline Dunfermline is a town and former Royal Burgh in Fife, Scotland, on high ground from the northern shore of the Firth of Forth. According to a 2008 estimate, Dunfermline has a population of 46,430, making it the second-biggest settlement in Fife. Part of the town's name comes from the Gaelic word...	In the county of Fife—the burghs of Cowdenbeath, Culross, Dunfermline, Inverkeithing, Lochgelly; the districts of Dunfermline, Lochgelly (except the electoral divisions of Auchterderran, Denend, Kinglassie, New Carden); that part of the electoral division of Auchtertool within the Gray Park polling district.
Lothian	West Lothian West Lothian West Lothian is one of the 32 unitary council areas in Scotland, and a Lieutenancy area. It borders the City of Edinburgh, Falkirk, North Lanarkshire, the Scottish Borders and South Lanarkshire....	In the county of West Lothian—the burghs of Armadale, Bathgate, Linlithgow, Whitburn; the districts of Linlithgow, Torphichen and Bathgate, Uphall, Whitburn and Livingston; the electoral divisions of Abercorn, Winchburgh East and Winchburgh West. In the county of Midlothian—the districts of East Calder, West Calder.
	City of Edinburgh	The county of the city of Edinburgh. In the county of West Lothian—the burgh of Queensferry; the district of Kirkliston and Winchburgh (except the electoral divisions of Abercorn, Winchburgh East and Winchburgh West). In the county of Midlothian—the district of Currie and the parish of Cramond.
	Midlothian 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....	In the county of Midlothian—the burghs of Bonnyrigg and Lasswade, Dalkeith Loanhead, Penicuik; the districts of Gala Water (except the electoral division of Heriot and Stow), Lasswade, Musselburgh (except the parish of Inveresk), Newbattle, Penicuik.
	East Lothian 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....	The county of East Lothian. In the county of Midlothian—the burgh of Musselburgh; the parish of Inveresk.
Central	Clackmannan Clackmannanshire Clackmannanshire, often abbreviated to Clacks is a local government council area in Scotland, and a lieutenancy area, bordering Perth and Kinross, Stirling and Fife.As Scotland's smallest historic county, it is often nicknamed 'The Wee County'....	The county of Clackmannan. In the county of Perth—the parish of Muckhart.
	Stirling Stirling (council area) Stirling is one of the 32 unitary local government council areas of Scotland, and has a population of about 87,000 . It was created under the Local Government etc Act 1994 with the boundaries of the Stirling district of the former Central local government region, and it covers most of the former...	In the county of Perth—the burghs of Callander, Doune, Dunblane; the Western district (except the electoral division of Ardoch). In the county of Stirling—the burghs of Bridge of Allan, Stirling; the districts Central No. 1, Western No. 1. Western No. 2.
	Falkirk Falkirk (council area) Falkirk is one of the 32 unitary authority council areas in Scotland. It borders onto North Lanarkshire to the south west, Stirling to the north west, West Lothian to the south east and, across the Firth of Forth to the north east, Fife and Clackmannanshire...	In the county of Stirling—the burghs of Denny and Dunipace, Falkirk, Grangemouth; the districts Eastern No. 1, Eastern No. 2, Eastern No. 3, Central No. 2 (except the electoral division of Kilsyth West; the polling district of Kilsyth East (Banton)). In the county of West Lothian—the burgh of Bo'ness; the district of Bo'ness.
Borders	Tweeddale Tweeddale Tweeddale is a committee area and lieutenancy area in the Scottish Borders with a population of 17,394 at the latest census in 2001 it is the second smallest of the 5 committee areas in the Borders. It is the traditional name for the area drained by the upper reaches of the River Tweed...	The county of Peebles.
	Ettrick and Lauderdale Ettrick and Lauderdale Ettrick & Lauderdale 1975-96Ettrick and Lauderdale was one of four local government districts in the Borders region of Scotland from 1975 to 1996....	The county of Selkirk. In the county of Berwick—the burgh of Lauder; the West district (except the electoral divisions of Gordon, Hume and Nenthorn, Westruther). In the county of Midlothian—the electoral division of Heriot and Stow. In the county of Roxburgh—the burgh of Melrose; the district of Melrose (except that part of the parish of Roxburgh which lies within this district).
	Roxburgh Roxburgh Roxburgh , also known as Rosbroch, is a village, civil parish and now-destroyed royal burgh. It was an important trading burgh in High Medieval to early modern Scotland...	In the county of Berwick—the parish of Nenthorn. In the county of Roxburgh—the burghs of Hawick, Jedburgh, Kelso; the districts of Hawick, Jedburgh, Kelso; that part of the parish of Roxburgh within the district of Melrose.
	Berwickshire Berwickshire Berwickshire or the County of Berwick is a registration county, a committee area of the Scottish Borders Council, and a lieutenancy area of Scotland, on the border with England. The town after which it is named—Berwick-upon-Tweed—was lost by Scotland to England in 1482...	In the county of Berwick—the burghs of Coldstream, Duns, Eyemouth; the East district, the Middle district; the electoral divisions of Gordon, Westruther; the parish of Hume.
Strathclyde	Argyll Argyll Argyll , archaically Argyle , is a region of western Scotland corresponding with most of the part of ancient Dál Riata that was located on the island of Great Britain, and in a historical context can be used to mean the entire western coast between the Mull of Kintyre and Cape Wrath...	In the county of Argyll—the burghs of Campbeltown, Dunoon, Inveraray, Lochgilphead, Oban, Tobermory; the districts of Cowal, Islay, Jura and Colonsay, Kintyre, Mid Argyll, Mull, North Lorn (except the electoral divisions of Ballachulish, Kinlochleven), South Lorn, Tiree and Coll. In the county of Bute—the burgh of Rothesay; the district of Bute.
	Dumbarton	In the county of Dunbarton—the burghs of Dumbarton, Cove and Kilcreggan, Helensburgh; the districts of Helensburgh, Vale of Leven; the electoral divisions of Bowling, Dunbarton.
	City of Glasgow	The county of the city of Glasgow. In the county of Lanark—the burgh of Rutherglen; in the Eighth district, the electoral divisions of Bankhead, Cambuslang Central, Cambuslang North, Hallside, Rutherglen, and those parts of Cambuslang South and Carmunnock electoral divisions lying outwith the designated area of East Kilbride New Town; in the Ninth district, the electoral divisions of Baillieston, Garrowhill, Mount Vernon and Carmyle, Springboig.
	Clydebank Clydebank Clydebank is a town in West Dunbartonshire, in the Central Lowlands of Scotland. Situated on the north bank of the River Clyde, Clydebank borders Dumbarton, the town with which it was combined to form West Dunbartonshire, as well as the town of Milngavie in East Dunbartonshire, and the Yoker and...	In the county of Dunbarton—the burgh of Clydebank; the district of Old Kilpatrick (except the electoral divisions of Bowling, Dunbarton, and that part of the electoral division of Hardgate lying within the parish of New Kilpatrick).
	Bearsden and Milngavie Bearsden and Milngavie Bearsden and Milngavie was formerly one of nineteen local government districts in the Strathclyde region of Scotland, north of the City of Glasgow....	In the county of Dunbarton—the burghs of Bearsden, Milngavie; that part of the electoral division of Hardgate lying within the parish of New Kilpatrick.
	Bishopbriggs and Kirkintilloch	In the county of Dunbarton—the burgh of Kirkintilloch; those parts of the electoral divisions of Twechar and Waterside lying outwith the designated area of Cumbernauld New Town. In the county of Lanark—the burgh of Bishopbriggs; the electoral divisions of Chryston, Stepps. In the county of Stirling—the Western No. 3 district.
	Cumbernauld Cumbernauld Cumbernauld is a Scottish new town in North Lanarkshire. It was created in 1956 as a population overspill for Glasgow City. It is the eighth most populous settlement in Scotland and the largest in North Lanarkshire...	In the county of Dunbarton—the burgh of Cumbernauld; the electoral division of Croy and Dullatur and those parts of the electoral divisions of Twechar and Waterside lying within the designated area of Cumbernauld New Town. In the county of Stirling—the burgh of Kilsyth; the electoral division of Kilsyth West; the polling district of Kilsyth East (Banton).
	Monklands	In the county of Lanark—the burghs of Airdrie, Coatbridge; the Ninth district (except the electoral divisions of Baillieston, Chryston, Garrowhill, Mount Vernon and Carmyle, Springboig, Stepps); in the Seventh district, the electoral division of Shottskirk.
	Motherwell	In the county of Lanark—the burgh of Motherwell and Wishaw; the Sixth district (except the electoral divisions of Bothwell and Uddingston South, Uddingston North), the Seventh district (except the electoral division of Shottskirk).
	Hamilton Hamilton, South Lanarkshire Hamilton is a town in South Lanarkshire, in the west-central Lowlands of Scotland. It serves as the main administrative centre of the South Lanarkshire council area. It is the fifth-biggest town in Scotland after Paisley, East Kilbride, Livingston and Cumbernauld...	In the county of Lanark—the burgh of Hamilton; the Fourth district (except the electoral division of Avondale); in the Sixth district, the electoral divisions of Bothwell and Uddingston South, Uddingston North; in the Eighth district, the electoral divisions of Blantyre, Stonefield, and that part of High Blantyre electoral division lying outwith the designated area of East Kilbride New Town.
	East Kilbride East Kilbride East Kilbride is a large suburban town in the South Lanarkshire council area, in the West Central Lowlands of Scotland. Designated as Scotland's first new town in 1947, it forms part of the Greater Glasgow conurbation...	In the county of Lanark—the burgh of East Kilbride; in the Fourth district, the electoral division of Avondale; in the Eighth district, those parts of High Blantyre, Cambuslang South, and Carmunnock electoral divisions lying within the designated area of East Kilbride New Town.
	Eastwood	In the county of Renfrew—the First district.
	Lanark Lanark Lanark is a small town in the central belt of Scotland. Its population of 8,253 makes it the 100th largest settlement in Scotland. The name is believed to come from the Cumbric Lanerc meaning "clear space, glade"....	In the county of Lanark—the burghs of Biggar, Lanark; the First, Second, Third districts.
	Renfrew Renfrew -Local government:The town of Renfrew gave its name to a number of local government areas used at various times:*Renfrew a town to the west of Glasgow*Renfrewshire, the present unitary local council area in which Renfrew is situatated....	In the county of Renfrew—the burghs of Barrhead, Johnstone, Paisley, Renfrew; the Second, Third, Fourth districts.
	Inverclyde Inverclyde Inverclyde is one of 32 council areas used for local government in Scotland. Together with the Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire council areas, Inverclyde forms part of the historic county of Renfrewshire - which current exists as a registration county and lieutenancy area - located in the west...	In the county of Renfrew—the burghs of Gourock, Greenock, Port Glasgow; the Fifth district.
	Cunninghame Cunninghame Cunninghame is a former comital district of Scotland and also a district of the Strathclyde Region from 1975–1996.-Historic Cunninghame:The historic district of Cunninghame was bordered by the districts of Renfrew and Clydesdale to the north and east respectively, by the district of Kyle to the...	In the county of Ayr—the burghs of Ardrossan, Irvine, Kilwinning, Largs, Saltcoats, Stevenston, the districts of Irvine, Kilbirnie, West Kilbride; those parts of the designated area of Irvine New Town within the Ayr and Kilmarnock districts. In the county of Bute—the burgh of Millport; the districts of Arran, Cumbrae.
	Kilmarnock and Loudoun Kilmarnock and Loudoun See:*Kilmarnock and Loudoun District*Kilmarnock and Loudoun Scottish Parliament constituency.*Kilmarnock and Loudoun UK Parliament Constituency...	In the county of Ayr—the burghs of Darvel, Galston, Kilmarnock, Newmilns and Greenholm, Stewarton; the district of Kilmarnock (except that part of the designated area of Irvine New Town within this district).
	Kyle and Carrick Kyle and Carrick Kyle and Carrick was one of nineteen local government districts in the Strathclyde region of Scotland from 1975 to 1996....	In the county of Ayr—the burghs of Ayr, Girvan, Maybole, Prestwick, Troon; the district of Ayr (except that part of the designated area of Irvine New Town within this district), Girvan, Maybole; that part of the parish of Ayr within the district of Dalmellington; the polling district of Coylton.
	Cumnock and Doon Valley Cumnock and Doon Valley Cumnock and Doon Valley was one of nineteen local government districts in the Strathclyde region of Scotland from 1973 to 1996....	In the county of Ayr—the burgh of Cumnock and Holmhead; the districts of Cumnock, Dalmellington (except that part of the parish of Ayr within this district; the polling district of Coylton).
Dumfries and Galloway	Merrick	The county of Wigtown. In the county of Kirkcudbright—the Western district (except the electoral division of Anwoth and Girthon).
	Stewartry	In the county of Kirkcudbright—the burghs of Castle Douglas, Dalbeattie, Gatehouse of Fleet, Kirkcudbright, New Galloway; the districts of Castle Douglas, Dalbeattie, Glenkens, Kirkcudbright; the electoral division of Anwoth and Girthon.
	Nithsdale Nithsdale Nithsdale , also known by its anglicised gaelic name Strathnith or Stranit, is the valley of the River Nith in Scotland, and the name of the region...	In the county of Dumfries—the burghs of Dumfries, Sanquhar; the districts of Dumfries (except the parishes of Dalton, Lochmaben), Thornhill, Upper Nithsdale. In the county of Kirkcudbright—the Eastern district.
	Annandale and Eskdale Annandale and Eskdale Annandale and Eskdale is a committee area in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. It covers the areas of Annandale and Eskdale, the straths of the River Annan and the River Esk respectively....	In the county of Dumfries—the burghs of Annan, Langholm, Lockerbie, Lochmaben, Moffat; the districts of Annan, Gretna, Langholm, Lockerbie, Moffat; the parishes of Dalton, Lochmaben.

Several districts were later renamed : Merrick becoming Wigtown

Wigtown Area

Wigtown Area is a committee area of Dumfries and Galloway Council. Its boundaries are similar to those of the former Wigtown district of the Dumfries and Galloway region...

, Argyll to Argyll and Bute

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.Argyll and Bute covers the second largest administrative area of any Scottish council...

, Bishopbriggs and Kirkintilloch to Strathkelvin

Strathkelvin

Strathkelvin is the strath of the River Kelvin in west central Scotland, close to the city of Glasgow. The name Strathkelvin was formerly used for one of nineteen local government districts in the Strathclyde region of Scotland.-District :The district of Strathkelvin was formed by the Local...

, Cumbernauld to Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

Cumbernauld and Kilsyth 1975-96Cumbernauld and Kilsyth was formerly one of nineteen local government districts in the Strathclyde region of Scotland....

, and Lanark to Clydesdale

Clydesdale

Clydesdale was formerly one of nineteen local government districts in the Strathclyde region of Scotland.The district was formed by the Local Government Act 1973 from part of the former county of Lanarkshire: namely the burghs of Biggar and Lanark and the First, Second and Third Districts...

.

Reaction and aftermath

Unlike the 1972 Local Government Act in England and Wales, the 1973 Act in Scotland used the term "region" for the upper tier of the two-tier system. This has caused far less confusion over the identity of the counties in Scotland. Despite the Act stipulating that the regions and not counties should be shown on Ordnance Survey

Ordnance Survey

Ordnance Survey , an executive agency and non-ministerial government department of the Government of the United Kingdom, is the national mapping agency for Great Britain, producing maps of Great Britain , and one of the world's largest producers of maps.The name reflects its creation together with...

 maps, the counties still enjoy wide public recognition. Even though they no longer play any direct part in local government, they are used in many other systems: The Royal Mail

Royal Mail

Royal Mail is the government-owned postal service in the United Kingdom. Royal Mail Holdings plc owns Royal Mail Group Limited, which in turn operates the brands Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide...

 continued to use them as postal counties; They are also used as the basis of the Watsonian vice-counties

Watsonian vice-counties

Vice-counties or biological vice-counties are geographical divisions of the British Isles used for the purposes of biological recording and other scientific data-gathering...

, registration counties

Registration county

A registration county was, in Great Britain and Ireland, a statistical unit used for the registration of births, deaths and marriages and for the output of census information. In Scotland registration counties are used for land registration purposes....

 and many of the Lieutenancy areas of Scotland

Lieutenancy areas of Scotland

The lieutenancy areas of Scotland are the areas used for the ceremonial lord-lieutenants, the monarch's representatives, in Scotland. They are different from the local government council areas, the committee areas, the sheriffdoms, the registration counties, the former regions and districts, the...

 are based on them.

However the sheer size of some regions meant that it became cumbersome to administer all functions on a region wide basis. By 1977 Strathclyde Regional Council had established unelected Sub-Regional Councils. The sub-regions ironically mirrored the counties that Strathclyde replaced.

The two-tier system of local government introduced by the act lasted until 1 April 1996 when the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994

Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994

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

came into effect, abolishing the regions and districts and replacing them with 32 unitary authorities.