List of local government areas in Scotland (1930–1975)

This is a list of local government areas in Scotland from 1930 to 1975.

The list contains the areas of local authorities as created by the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1929, as amended by the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1947. These areas were abolished in 1975 by the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 when a system of regions and districts replaced them. The district in which the abolished area was included is indicated.

Background From 1930 to 1975 there were the following types of local government areas in Scotland:

County-level authorities Counties of cities: These were the four largest burghs: they exercised the powers of both a county council and burgh. As such they were effectively unitary authorities. They were governed by city corporations headed by a lord provost. Counties: There were thirty-three counties covering the area outside the counties of cities. In the case of twenty-nine counties they were governed by a county council consisting partly of members nominated by the town councils of burghs in the county and partly by directly elected councillors for the "landward" areas of the county. The chairman of a county council was known as the "convener". Combined counties: Two small counties, Nairnshire and Kinross-shire were combined with the neighbouring counties of Moray and Perthshire for most local government purposes. In these "combined counties", there was a joint county council. The separate county councils continued to exist, however, and were responsible for minor local government functions.

Sub-county authorities

Large burghs: The 1929 Act constituted twenty burghs as "large burghs". These towns were largely independent from the counties in which they were situated. The number of large burghs was later increased to twenty-one, with the addition of the new town of East Kilbride. The town councils of large burghs were responsible for all local services except higher-level activities such as police and education, which were provided by the county council. Small burghs: The remaining burghs became "small burghs", yielding many of their powers to the reconstituted county councils. Landward districts: The "landward" area of each county was that part not included in a burgh. County councils were required to divide this area into districts. This was done by grouping electoral divisions (the areas for which county councillors were elected). Each district was governed by a district council consisting of ex officio the county councillors for the divisions and a number of directly elected district councillors.

Counties of cities Burgh Notes 1975 district Aberdeen City of Aberdeen Dundee Extended (at the expense of Angus) in 1932, 1939, 1946 City of Dundee Edinburgh Extended (at the expense of Midlothian) in 1954 City of Edinburgh Glasgow Extended in 1931 (at the expense of Dunbartonshire and Lanarkshire) and 1938 (at the expense of Dunbartonshire, Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire) City of Glasgow

County of Aberdeen

Small burghs Burgh Notes 1975 district Ballater Kincardine and Deeside Ellon Gordon Fraserburgh Banff and Buchan Huntly GordonKintoreRoyal burghGordonInverurieRoyal burgh Gordon Oldmeldrum Gordon Peterhead Banff and Buchan Rosehearty Banff and Buchan Turriff Banff and Buchan

Landward districts

DistrictEdinburgh Gazette, March 14, 1930 Notes 1975 district Aberdeen Belhelvie, Bucksburn, Culter, Cults, Drumoak, Dyce, Echt, Fintar, Kinellar, Newhills, New Machar, Old Machar, Peterculter, Skene and Stoneywood areas Most to Gordon; parts to Aberdeen (Bucksburn, Culter, Cults, Dyce, Newhills, Old Machar, Peterculter and Stoneywood) and Kincardine and Deeside (Drumoak)Alford Alford, Auchindoir, Clatt, Glenbuchat, Keig, Kennethmont, Kildrummy, Leochel Cushnie, Strathdon, Tough, Towie and Tullynessle areas GordonDeer Aberdour, Crimond, Fraserburgh, Longside, Lonmay, New Deer, Old Deer, Peterhead, Pitsligo, Rathen, St Fergus, Strichen and Tyrie areas Banff and BuchanDeeside Aboyne, Birse, Braemar, Cluny, Crathie, Cromar,Cromar electoral division consisted of the civil parishes of Coull; and Tarland Glenmuick, Kincardine O’Neil, Lumphanan and Midmar areas Kincardine and DeesideEllon Cruden, Ellon, Foveran, Logie Buchan, Methlick, Slains, Tarves and Udny areas Most to Gordon; part (Cruden) to Banff and BuchanGarioch Bourtie, Chapel of Garioch, Culsalmond, Daviot, Insch, Inverurie, Keith hall, Kemnay, Kintore, Leslie, Meldrum, Monymusk, Oyne, Premnay and Rayne areas GordonHuntlyCairnie, Drumblade, Forgue, Gartly, Glass, Huntly and Rhynie areas GordonTurriff Auchterless, Fyvie, King Edward, Monquhitter and Turriff areas Banff and Buchan

County of Angus

Large burgh Burgh Notes 1975 district Arbroath Royal burgh Angus

Small burghs Burgh Notes 1975 district Brechin Royal burgh Angus Carnoustie Angus Forfar Royal burgh Angus Kirriemuir Angus Monifieth DundeeTransferred to Angus in 1996MontroseRoyal burgh Angus

Landward districts

DistrictEdinburgh Gazette, March 11, 1930 Notes 1975 district Brechin Brechin, Careston, Dun, Edzell, Lethnot, Lochlee, Logie Pert, Menmuir and Stracathro areas Angus CarnoustieArbirlot, Arbroath, Barry, Carmyllie, Monikie, Panbride and St Vigeans areas Angus Forfar Aberlemno, Dunnichen, Eassie, Forfar, Glamis, Guthrie, Inverarity, Kinnettles, Kirkden, Oathlaw and Rescobie areas Angus KirriemuirAirlie, Clova, Cotachy, Fern, Glenisla, Kingoldrum, Kirriemuir, Lintrathen, Ruthven and Tannadice areas Angus MonifiethAuchterhouse, Benvie, Fowlis Easter, Kettins, Liff, Lundie, Mains, Monifieth, Murroes, Newtyle, Strathmartine and Tealing areas Most to Dundee; part (Newtyle) to Angus, part (Kettins) to Perth and Kinross MontroseCraig, Farnell, Inverkeilor, Kinnell, Lunan, Maryton and Montrose areas Angus

County of Argyll

Small burghs Burgh Notes 1975 district Campbeltown Royal burgh Argyll and Bute Dunoon Argyll and Bute Inveraray Royal burgh Argyll and Bute Lochgilphead Argyll and Bute Oban Argyll and ButeTobermory Argyll and Bute

Landward districts

DistrictLocal Government (Scotland) Act 1973, Schedule I Notes 1975 district Ardnamurchan Ardgour, Ardnamurchan, Morvem and Sunart areas Lochaber Coll Coll Combined with Tiree District in 1932Edinburgh Gazette, November 8, 1932 Cowal Innellan, Inverchaolain, Kilfinan, Kilmun, Kilmodan, Lochgoilhead, Sandbank, and Strachur & Strathlachlan areas Argyll and Bute Islay Kilarrow, Kilchoman, Kildalton, Kilmeny, Port Ellen and Portnahaven areas Argyll and Bute Jura and Colonsay Colonsay, Jura and Oronsay Argyll and Bute Kintyre Campbeltown, Kilcalmonell & Gigha, Killetan & Kilkenzie, Saddell & Skipness, Southend and Tarbert areas Argyll and Bute Mid Argyll Craignish, Glenaray, Kilberry, Kilmartin, Kilmichael, Lochfyne, North Knapdale and South Knapdale areas Argyll and Bute Mull Kilfinichen and Kilvickeon, Kilninian & Kilmore (excl. Tobermory burgh) and Torosay parishes Argyll and Bute North Lorn Ardchattan, Ballachulish, Kinlochleven and Lismore & Appin areas Most to Argyll and Bute; part (Ballachulish and Kinlochleven) to Lochaber South Lorn Glenorchy & Innishael, Kilbrandon & Kilchattan, Kilchrenan & Dalavich, Kilmore & Kilbride, Kilninver & Kilmelford and Muckairn areas Argyll and Bute Tiree Tiree Combined with Coll District in 1932 Tiree and Coll Formed 1932 by merger of two districts. Tiree, Coll Argyll and Bute

County of Ayr

Large burghs Burgh Notes 1975 district Ayr Royal burgh Kyle and Carrick Kilmarnock Kilmarnock and Loudoun

Small burghs Burgh Notes 1975 district Ardrossan Cunninghame Cumnock and Holmhead Cumnock and Doon Valley Darvel Kilmarnock and Loudoun Galston Kilmarnock and Loudoun Girvan Kyle and Carrick Irvine Royal burgh CunninghameKilwinning Cunninghame Largs Cunninghame MayboleKyle and Carrick Newmilns and Greenholm Kilmarnock and LoudounPrestwick Royal burghKyle and Carrick Saltcoats Cunninghame StewartonKilmarnock and Loudoun TroonKyle and Carrick Stevenston Burgh created 1952 Cunninghame

Landward districts

DistrictRepresentation of the People Act, 1948 Notes 1975 district Ayr (No.1) Renamed Ayr Ayr, Dundonald, Monkton, Craigie & Symington and Tarbolton areas Kyle and Carrick, part to Cunninghame Cumnock Auchinleck, Mauchline, Muirkirk, New Cumnock, Old Cumnock, Sorn and Stair & Ochiltree areas Cumnock and Doon Valley Ayr (No.2) Renamed Dalmellington Coylton, Dalmellington and Dalrymple areas Cumnock and Doon Valley, part (Coylton) to Kyle and Carrick Girvan Ballantrae, Barr, Barrhill, Colmonell, Dailly and Girvan areas Kyle and Carrick Irvine Dreghorn, Irvine and Kilwinning areas Cunninghame Kilbirnie Beith, Dalry and Kilbirnie areas Cunninghame Kilmarnock Dunlop & Stewarton, Fenwick & Kilmarnock, Kilmaurs and Riccarton areasAbsorbed Newmilns District Kilmarnock and Loudoun, part to Cunninghame Maybole Kirkmichael & Straiton, Kirkoswald and Maybole areas Kyle and Carrick NewmilnsGalston and Loudoun areasIn existence 1970, absorbed by Kilmarnock District by 1975 N/A Saltcoats Largs, Stevenston & Ardrossan and West Kilbride areasRenamed West Kilbride on formation of burgh of Stevenston 1952 Cunninghame

County of Banff

Small burghs Burgh Notes 1975 district Aberchirder Banff and Buchan Aberlour Moray Banff Royal burgh Banff and Buchan Buckie Moray Cullen Royal burgh Moray Dufftown Moray Findochty Moray Keith MorayMacduff Banff and Buchan Portknockie Moray Portsoy Banff and Buchan

Landward districts

District Notes 1975 district Aberchirder Forglen, Inverkeithny, Marnoch and Ordiquihill areas Banff and Buchan Banff Alvah, Banff, Boyndie, Gamrie and Gardenstown areas Banff and Buchan Buckie Portgordon and Rathven areas Moray Cullen Cullen, Deskford and Fordyce areas Most to Moray; part (Fordyce) to Banff and Buchan Dufftown Aberlour, Cabrach, Inveravon, Kirkmichael and Mortlach areas Moray Keith Boharm, Botriphnie, Grange, Keith and Rothiemay areas Moray

County of Berwick

Small burghs Burgh Notes 1975 district Coldstream Berwickshire Duns Berwickshire Eyemouth Berwickshire Lauder Royal burgh Ettrick and Lauderdale

Landward districts

District Notes 1975 district East Abbey St Bathans & Bunkle, Ayton, Burnmouth, Chirnside, Cockburnspath, Coldingham, Foulden & Mordington, Hutton and Reston areas Berwickshire Middle Coldstream, Cranshaws & Longformacus, Duns, Eccles, Edrom, Fogo & Polwarth, Greenlaw, Ladykirk & Whitsome, Langton, Leitholm, and Swinton areas Berwickshire WestChannelkirk, Earlston, Gordon, Hume & Nenthorn, Lauder, Legerwood, Mertoun and Westruther areas Most to Ettrick and Lauderdale; part (Gordon, Hume and Westruther) to Berwickshire; part (Nenthorn) to Roxburgh

County of Bute

Small burghs Burgh Notes 1975 district Rothesay Royal burgh Argyll and Bute Millport Cunninghame

Landward districts

District Notes 1975 district Arran Island of Arran, Holy Island and Pladda Island Cunninghame Bute Islands of Bute and Inchmarnock Argyll and Bute Cumbrae Islands of Great Cumbrae and Little Cumbrae Cunninghame

County of Caithness

Small burghs Burgh Notes 1975 district Wick Royal burgh Caithness Thurso Caithness

Landward districts

District Notes 1975 district CentralBower, Castletown and Olrig areas Caithness EasternKeiss, Watten and Wick areas Caithness Northern Canisbay and Dunnet areas Caithness Southern Berriedale, Clyth, Dunbeath, Latheron and Lybster areas Caithness Western Halkirk, Reay and Thurso areas Caithness

County of Clackmannan

Small burghs Burgh Notes 1975 district Alloa Clackmannan Alva Clackmannan Dollar Clackmannan Tillicoultry Clackmannan

Landward districts

District Notes 1975 district AlloaAlloa and Clackmannan areas Clackmannan HillfootsAlva, Tillicoultry and Dollar areas Clackmannan

County of Dumfries

Large burgh Burgh Notes 1975 district Dumfries Royal burgh Nithsdale

Small burghs Burgh Notes 1975 district Annan Royal burgh Annandale and Eskdale Langholm Annandale and Eskdale Lochmaben Royal burgh Annandale and Eskdale Lockerbie Annandale and Eskdale Moffat Annandale and Eskdale Sanquhar Nithsdale