Traditional counties of Scotland - Definition and Overview

The Traditional counties of Scotland are historic and cutural divisions of Scotland.

The dates of the borders varies, for example Cromartyshire only took its traditional shape as late as 1685. Ross-shire and Cromartyshire were administered as one (Ross and Cromarty).

Apart from these entities, there had been 'counties of cities' (counties corporate) for centuries.

When county councils were introduced in Scotland in 1889, their areas, the administrative counties were based on the traditional counties, but the great many fragments and detached parts were consolidated, and Ross-shire was merged with the fragmentary Cromartyshire to form Ross and Cromarty.

Alternative names:

• Angus - Forfarshire
• East Lothian - Haddingtonshire
• Mid Lothian - Edinburghshire
• Morayshire - Elginshire
• West Lothian - Linlithgowshire

See Also

• Lieutenancy areas of Scotland
• Subdivisions of Scotland
• Traditional counties of England
• Traditional counties of Wales
• Traditional counties of Ireland
• Association of British Counties