List of burghs in Scotland

Encyclopedia : L : LI : LIS : List of burghs in Scotland

A burgh (pronounced burruh) is the Scots language equivalent of the English language borough. The term is used in formal written English when referring to the Scottish burghs.

Burghs were highly autonomous units of local government in Scotland from at least the 12th century until their abolition in 1975 when a new regional structure of local government was introduced across the country. Usually based upon a town, they had a municipal corporation and certain rights, such as self-government and representation in the sovereign Parliament of Scotland adjourned in 1707.

Historically, the most important burghs were royal burghs, followed by burghs of regality and burghs of barony. Some newer settlements were only designated as police burghs, a classification which also applies to most of the older burghs.

It should be noted that the word 'burgh' is generally not used as a synonym for 'town' or 'city' in everyday speech, but is reserved mostly for government and administrative purposes. Legally speaking, burghs in Scotland were abolished in 1975, and the term has since fallen into disuse.

For a list of towns and cities in Scotland, see the category .

Contents

Burghs by county

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

Royal burghs that were counties of themselves

Burgh	Date of adoption of police system	Earlier burghal history	Post Union parliamentary burgh status
Aberdeen royal burgh (County of a City from 1900 - previously part of Aberdeenshire)	1862	Royal burgh from 12th century	One 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)	1837	Royal burgh from 1191 - 1195	One of the Perth Burghs 1708 to 1832 Dundee burgh constituency 1832 to 1950
Edinburgh royal burgh (County of a City from 13th century)	1805 (by Private Act)	Royal burgh from 1124 - 1127	Edinburgh burgh counstituency 1708 to 1885
Glasgow royal burgh (County of a City from 1893)	1800 (by Private Act)	Royal burgh 1611	One of the Clyde Burghs 1708 to 1832 Glasgow burgh constituency 1832 to 1885

These four burghs were redesignated as Counties of Cities in 1930

Note: The royal burgh of Aberdeen was part of this county until 1900.
Burgh Date of adoption
of police system Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Inverurie royal burgh 1867 Royal burgh 1558 One of the Elgin Burghs 1708 to 1918
Kintore royal burgh 1873 Royal burgh 1506-7 One of the Elgin Burghs 1708 to 1918
Ballater burgh 1891 None None
Ellon burgh 1893 Burgh of barony 1707 None
Fraserburgh burgh 1840 Burgh of barony 1546
Burgh of regality 1601 None
Huntly burgh 1834 Burgh of barony 1488
Burgh of regality 1684 None
Old Aberdeen burgh 1860 - 1891 ‡ Burgh of barony 1489 None
Old Meldrum 1893 Burgh of barony 1671 None
Peterhead burgh 1860 Burgh of barony 1587
Parliamentary burgh 1832 One of the Elgin Burghs 1832 to 1918
Rosehearty 1892 Burgh of barony 1681 None
Turriff burgh 1858 Burgh of barony 1512 None
Woodside burgh 1867 - 1891 ‡ None None
‡ Absorbed by Aberdeen royal burgh 1891

Burgh	Date of adoption of police system	Earlier burghal history	Post Union parliamentary burgh status
Inverurie royal burgh	1867	Royal burgh 1558	One of the Elgin Burghs 1708 to 1918
Kintore royal burgh	1873	Royal burgh 1506-7	One of the Elgin Burghs 1708 to 1918
Ballater burgh	1891	None	None
Ellon burgh	1893	Burgh of barony 1707	None
Fraserburgh burgh	1840	Burgh of barony 1546 Burgh of regality 1601	None
Huntly burgh	1834	Burgh of barony 1488 Burgh of regality 1684	None
Old Aberdeen burgh	1860 - 1891 ‡	Burgh of barony 1489	None
Old Meldrum	1893	Burgh of barony 1671	None
Peterhead burgh	1860	Burgh of barony 1587 Parliamentary burgh 1832	One of the Elgin Burghs 1832 to 1918
Rosehearty	1892	Burgh of barony 1681	None
Turriff burgh	1858	Burgh of barony 1512	None
Woodside burgh	1867 - 1891 ‡	None	None

Note: The royal burgh of Dundee was part of this county until 1894.
Burgh Date of adoption
of police system Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Arbroath royal burgh 1836 Royal burgh 1599 One of the Aberdeen Burghs 1708 to 1832
and of the Montrose Burghs 1832 to 1950
Brechin royal burgh 1893? Royal burgh status ratified 1641 One of the Aberdeen Burghs 1708 to 1832
and of the Montrose Burghs 1832 to 1950
Forfar royal burgh 1857 Created royal burgh c 1123 - 62 One of the Perth Burghs 1708 to 1832
and of the Montrose Burghs 1832 to 1950
Montrose royal burgh 1833 Created royal burgh by c 1124 - 53 One of the Aberdeen Burghs 1708 to 1832
and of the Montrose Burghs 1832 to 1950
Broughty Ferry burgh 1864 - 1913 ‡ None None
Carnoustie burgh 1889 None None
Kirriemuir burgh 1834 Burgh of barony 1459
Burgh of regality 1670 None
Monifieth burgh 1895 None None
‡ Absorbed by Dundee royal burgh 1913

Burgh	Date of adoption of police system	Earlier burghal history	Post Union parliamentary burgh status
Arbroath royal burgh	1836	Royal burgh 1599	One of the Aberdeen Burghs 1708 to 1832 and of the Montrose Burghs 1832 to 1950
Brechin royal burgh	1893?	Royal burgh status ratified 1641	One of the Aberdeen Burghs 1708 to 1832 and of the Montrose Burghs 1832 to 1950
Forfar royal burgh	1857	Created royal burgh c 1123 - 62	One of the Perth Burghs 1708 to 1832 and of the Montrose Burghs 1832 to 1950
Montrose royal burgh	1833	Created royal burgh by c 1124 - 53	One of the Aberdeen Burghs 1708 to 1832 and of the Montrose Burghs 1832 to 1950
Broughty Ferry burgh	1864 - 1913 ‡	None	None
Carnoustie burgh	1889	None	None
Kirriemuir burgh	1834	Burgh of barony 1459 Burgh of regality 1670	None
Monifieth burgh	1895	None	None

Burgh Date of adoption
of police system Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Campbeltown royal burgh 1846 Royal burgh 1700
Previously burgh of barony 1667 One of the Ayr Burghs 1708 to 1832
Inveraray royal burgh 1833 Royal burgh 1648
Previously burgh of barony 1474 One of the Ayr Burghs 1708 to 1832
Dunoon burgh 1868 Burgh of barony 1835 None
Lochgilphead burgh 1858 None None
Oban burgh 1862 Burgh of barony 1820
Parliamentary burgh 1832 One of the Ayr Burghs 1832 to 1918
Tobermory burgh 1875 None None

Burgh	Date of adoption of police system	Earlier burghal history	Post Union parliamentary burgh status
Campbeltown royal burgh	1846	Royal burgh 1700 Previously burgh of barony 1667	One of the Ayr Burghs 1708 to 1832
Inveraray royal burgh	1833	Royal burgh 1648 Previously burgh of barony 1474	One of the Ayr Burghs 1708 to 1832
Dunoon burgh	1868	Burgh of barony 1835	None
Lochgilphead burgh	1858	None	None
Oban burgh	1862	Burgh of barony 1820 Parliamentary burgh 1832	One of the Ayr Burghs 1832 to 1918
Tobermory burgh	1875	None	None

Burgh Date of adoption
of police system Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Ayr royal burgh 1850 Created royal burgh c. 1203-6 One of the Ayr Burghs 1708 to 1950
Irvine royal burgh 1875 Royal burgh 1372 One of the Ayr Burghs 1708 to 1950
Ardrossan burgh 1865 Burgh of barony 1846 One of the Ayr Burghs 1918 to 1950
Cumnock
and Holmhead burgh 1866 Cumnock created burgh of barony 1680 None
Darvel burgh 1873 None None
Galston burgh 1864 None None
Girvan burgh 1889 Burgh of barony 1668 None
Kilmarnock burgh 1847 Burgh of barony 1592
Parliamentary burgh 1832 One of the Kilmarnock Burghs 1832 to 1918
Kilwinning burgh 1889 None None
Largs burgh 1876 Burgh of barony 1595
(as Newton of Gogo, re-erected as Largs 1629) None
Maybole burgh 1857 Burgh of barony 1516 None
Newmilns
and Greenholm burgh 1872 See Newmilns None
Newmilns burgh 1844 - 1872 Burgh of barony 1491
Burgh of regality 1707 None
Prestwick burgh 1903 Ancient burgh of barony dating from 10th century
Confirmed 1600 One of the Ayr Burghs 1918 to 1950
Saltcoats burgh 1885 Burgh of barony 1529
Confirmed 1586 One of the Ayr Burghs 1918 to 1950
Stevenston burgh 1952 None None
Stewarton burgh 1868 None None
Troon burgh 1896 None One of the Ayr Burghs 1918 to 1950

Burgh	Date of adoption of police system	Earlier burghal history	Post Union parliamentary burgh status
Ayr royal burgh	1850	Created royal burgh c. 1203-6	One of the Ayr Burghs 1708 to 1950
Irvine royal burgh	1875	Royal burgh 1372	One of the Ayr Burghs 1708 to 1950
Ardrossan burgh	1865	Burgh of barony 1846	One of the Ayr Burghs 1918 to 1950
Cumnock and Holmhead burgh	1866	Cumnock created burgh of barony 1680	None
Darvel burgh	1873	None	None
Galston burgh	1864	None	None
Girvan burgh	1889	Burgh of barony 1668	None
Kilmarnock burgh	1847	Burgh of barony 1592 Parliamentary burgh 1832	One of the Kilmarnock Burghs 1832 to 1918
Kilwinning burgh	1889	None	None
Largs burgh	1876	Burgh of barony 1595 (as Newton of Gogo, re-erected as Largs 1629)	None
Maybole burgh	1857	Burgh of barony 1516	None
Newmilns and Greenholm burgh	1872	See Newmilns	None
Newmilns burgh	1844 - 1872	Burgh of barony 1491 Burgh of regality 1707	None
Prestwick burgh	1903	Ancient burgh of barony dating from 10th century Confirmed 1600	One of the Ayr Burghs 1918 to 1950
Saltcoats burgh	1885	Burgh of barony 1529 Confirmed 1586	One of the Ayr Burghs 1918 to 1950
Stevenston burgh	1952	None	None
Stewarton burgh	1868	None	None
Troon burgh	1896	None	One of the Ayr Burghs 1918 to 1950

Burgh Date of adoption
of police system Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Banff royal burgh 1840 Created royal burgh c. 1203-6 One of the Elgin Burghs 1708 to 1918
Cullen royal burgh 1870 Royal burgh 1372 One of the Elgin Burghs 1708 to 1918
Aberchirder burgh 1889 None None
Aberlour burgh 1894 Burgh of barony 1814 None
Buckie burgh 1888 None None
Dufftown burgh 1863 None None
Findochty burgh 1915 None None
Keith burgh 1889 None None
Macduff burgh 1853 Burgh of barony 1528 None
Portknockie burgh 1912 None None
Portsoy burgh 1889 Burgh of barony 1550 None

Burgh	Date of adoption of police system	Earlier burghal history	Post Union parliamentary burgh status
Banff royal burgh	1840	Created royal burgh c. 1203-6	One of the Elgin Burghs 1708 to 1918
Cullen royal burgh	1870	Royal burgh 1372	One of the Elgin Burghs 1708 to 1918
Aberchirder burgh	1889	None	None
Aberlour burgh	1894	Burgh of barony 1814	None
Buckie burgh	1888	None	None
Dufftown burgh	1863	None	None
Findochty burgh	1915	None	None
Keith burgh	1889	None	None
Macduff burgh	1853	Burgh of barony 1528	None
Portknockie burgh	1912	None	None
Portsoy burgh	1889	Burgh of barony 1550	None

Burgh Date of adoption
of police system Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Lauder royal burgh 1875 Confirmed 1502 One of the Haddington Burghs 1708 to 1885
Coldstream burgh 1833 Burgh of barony 1621 None
Duns burgh 1842 Burgh of barony 1490 Noen
Eyemouth burgh 1866 Burgh of barony 1598 None

Burgh	Date of adoption of police system	Earlier burghal history	Post Union parliamentary burgh status
Lauder royal burgh	1875	Confirmed 1502	One of the Haddington Burghs 1708 to 1885
Coldstream burgh	1833	Burgh of barony 1621	None
Duns burgh	1842	Burgh of barony 1490	Noen
Eyemouth burgh	1866	Burgh of barony 1598	None

Burgh Date of adoption
of police system Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Rothesay royal burgh 1846 Royal burgh 1401 One of the Ayr Burghs 1708 to 1832
Millport burgh 1864 None None

Burgh	Date of adoption of police system	Earlier burghal history	Post Union parliamentary burgh status
Rothesay royal burgh	1846	Royal burgh 1401	One of the Ayr Burghs 1708 to 1832
Millport burgh	1864	None	None

Burgh Date of adoption
of police system Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Wick royal burgh 1862 Royal burgh 1589 One of the Tain Burghs 1708 to 1832
and of the Wick Burghs 1832 to 1918
Thurso burgh 1841 Burgh of barony 1633 None

Burgh	Date of adoption of police system	Earlier burghal history	Post Union parliamentary burgh status
Wick royal burgh	1862	Royal burgh 1589	One of the Tain Burghs 1708 to 1832 and of the Wick Burghs 1832 to 1918
Thurso burgh	1841	Burgh of barony 1633	None

Burgh Date of adoption
of police system Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Alloa burgh 1854 Burgh of regality 1497,
rerected 1620 None
Alva burgh 1876 None None
Dollar burgh 1891 Burgh of regality 1702 None
Tillicoultry burgh 1871 Burgh of barony 1634 None

Burgh	Date of adoption of police system	Earlier burghal history	Post Union parliamentary burgh status
Alloa burgh	1854	Burgh of regality 1497, rerected 1620	None
Alva burgh	1876	None	None
Dollar burgh	1891	Burgh of regality 1702	None
Tillicoultry burgh	1871	Burgh of barony 1634	None

Edinburghshire: see Midlothian

Elginshire: see Morayshire

† Burghs merged 1930 ‡ Dysart absorbed by Kircaldy royal burgh 1930

Forfarshire: see Angus

Haddingtonshire: see East Lothian

† Maxwelltown burgh was absorbed by Dumfries royal burgh 1931.

Note: The royal burgh of Glasgow was part of the county until 1893. † Burghs merged 1920

Linlithgowshire: see West Lothian

Note: The royal burgh of Edinburgh and its liberties formed a separate county of itself from the thirteenth century.
† Burghs merged 1920 ‡ Burghs absorbed by Edinburgh royal burgh in years shown (Portobello continued, however, as a separate parliamentary burgh until 1918)

	Topics on Scotland
History	Timeline of Scottish history>Timeline \| Prehistoric Scotland \| Scotland in the High Middle Ages \| Wars of Scottish Independence \| Scottish Enlightenment \| Colonisation \| Acts of Union 1707 \| Jacobitism \| Highland Clearances \| Lowland Clearances
Politics	List of political parties in Scotland>Political parties \| Elections \| Scottish Parliament \| Scottish Executive \| First Minister of Scotland \| Secretary of State for Scotland \| Scotland Office \| Monarchs of Scotland
Religion	Church of Scotland > General Assembly \| Roman Catholicism \| Scottish Episcopal Church
Law	Courts of Scotland > Lord President \| Crown Office \| Lord Advocate \| Solicitor General \| Procurator Fiscal
Geography	Geology of Scotland>Geology \| Climate \| Mountains and hills \| Islands \| Lochs
Economy	List of Scottish companies>Companies \| Bank of Scotland \| Royal Bank of Scotland \| North Sea oil \| Scotch whisky \| Tourism \| Harris Tweed
Demographics	Scottish Gaelic language > Scots language \| Scottish English \| Highland English \| Burghs
Culture	Education in Scotland>Education \| Hogmanay \| Innovations & discoveries \| Music \| Sport
Symbols	List of Scottish flags>Flags (National Flag \| Royal Standard) \| Royal Arms \| Tartan \| Bagpipes

List of burghs in Scotland

Burghs by county

Royal burghs that were counties of themselves

Burgh Date of adoption
of police system Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Rothesay royal burgh 1846 Royal burgh 1401 One of the Ayr Burghs 1708 to 1832
Millport burgh 1864 None None

Burgh Date of adoption
of police system Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Wick royal burgh 1862 Royal burgh 1589 One of the Tain Burghs 1708 to 1832
and of the Wick Burghs 1832 to 1918
Thurso burgh 1841 Burgh of barony 1633 None

Burgh Date of adoption
of police system Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Alloa burgh 1854 Burgh of regality 1497,
rerected 1620 None
Alva burgh 1876 None None
Dollar burgh 1891 Burgh of regality 1702 None
Tillicoultry burgh 1871 Burgh of barony 1634 None

Edinburghshire: see Midlothian

Elginshire: see Morayshire

† Burghs merged 1930 ‡ Dysart absorbed by Kircaldy royal burgh 1930

Forfarshire: see Angus

Haddingtonshire: see East Lothian

† Maxwelltown burgh was absorbed by Dumfries royal burgh 1931.

Note: The royal burgh of Glasgow was part of the county until 1893. † Burghs merged 1920

Linlithgowshire: see West Lothian

Note: The royal burgh of Edinburgh and its liberties formed a separate county of itself from the thirteenth century.
† Burghs merged 1920 ‡ Burghs absorbed by Edinburgh royal burgh in years shown (Portobello continued, however, as a separate parliamentary burgh until 1918)

† Burghs merged 1930

† Burghs absorbed by Glasgow royal burgh on dates shown

See also

List of burghs in Scotland

Burghs by county

Royal burghs that were counties of themselves

Burgh Date of adoption of police system Earlier burghal history Post Union parliamentary burgh status Rothesay royal burgh 1846 Royal burgh 1401 One of the Ayr Burghs 1708 to 1832 Millport burgh 1864 None None

Burgh Date of adoption of police system Earlier burghal history Post Union parliamentary burgh status Wick royal burgh 1862 Royal burgh 1589 One of the Tain Burghs 1708 to 1832 and of the Wick Burghs 1832 to 1918 Thurso burgh 1841 Burgh of barony 1633 None

Burgh Date of adoption of police system Earlier burghal history Post Union parliamentary burgh status Alloa burgh 1854 Burgh of regality 1497, rerected 1620 None Alva burgh 1876 None None Dollar burgh 1891 Burgh of regality 1702 None Tillicoultry burgh 1871 Burgh of barony 1634 None

Edinburghshire: see Midlothian

Elginshire: see Morayshire

† Burghs merged 1930 ‡ Dysart absorbed by Kircaldy royal burgh 1930

Forfarshire: see Angus

Haddingtonshire: see East Lothian

† Maxwelltown burgh was absorbed by Dumfries royal burgh 1931.

Note: The royal burgh of Glasgow was part of the county until 1893. † Burghs merged 1920

Linlithgowshire: see West Lothian

Note: The royal burgh of Edinburgh and its liberties formed a separate county of itself from the thirteenth century. † Burghs merged 1920 ‡ Burghs absorbed by Edinburgh royal burgh in years shown (Portobello continued, however, as a separate parliamentary burgh until 1918)

† Burghs merged 1930

† Burghs absorbed by Glasgow royal burgh on dates shown

See also

Burgh Date of adoption
of police system Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Rothesay royal burgh 1846 Royal burgh 1401 One of the Ayr Burghs 1708 to 1832
Millport burgh 1864 None None

Burgh Date of adoption
of police system Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Wick royal burgh 1862 Royal burgh 1589 One of the Tain Burghs 1708 to 1832
and of the Wick Burghs 1832 to 1918
Thurso burgh 1841 Burgh of barony 1633 None

Burgh Date of adoption
of police system Earlier burghal history Post Union
parliamentary burgh status
Alloa burgh 1854 Burgh of regality 1497,
rerected 1620 None
Alva burgh 1876 None None
Dollar burgh 1891 Burgh of regality 1702 None
Tillicoultry burgh 1871 Burgh of barony 1634 None

Note: The royal burgh of Edinburgh and its liberties formed a separate county of itself from the thirteenth century.
† Burghs merged 1920 ‡ Burghs absorbed by Edinburgh royal burgh in years shown (Portobello continued, however, as a separate parliamentary burgh until 1918)