# Municipalities of Scotland

Below is a list of Municipalities of Scotland. Scottish municipalities have existed in the form of burgh, royal burgh, cities and, currently most common, local councils. Between 1855 and 1975, valuation rolls in Scotland were divided into counties and burghs. A burgh was a Scottish town which had certain privileges conferred by a charter and had a town council to run its affairs. Each burgh had its own separate legal and administrative status. A royal charter was issued to localities which were granted the title of royal burgh.
Many different types of burghs existed in Scotland, including royal burghs, burghs of barony and regality, parliamentary burghs and police burghs. By 1929, all burghs in Scotland were commonly described as small burghs, large burghs or cities for the purposes of local government. The four separate cities for local government purposes, which were independent from neighbouring areas, were Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Between 1124 and 1400, more than 70 burghs were created across Scotland. All types of burghs – royal, parliamentary, burgh of barony and police – were abolished in 1995, and replaced with newly created unitary authorities, known as local councils or subdivisions.
Scotland's council areas have been in existence since 1 April 1996, under the provisions of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994. This ultimately ended the status of burghs, and all governance and political duties was subsumed into the local council. Each council area has an administrative centre, generally the largest town or city within the area. Historically, Scotland was divided into 34 counties or shires. Although these no longer have any administrative function, they are still used to some extent in Scotland for cultural and geographical purposes, and some of the current council areas are named after them. There are also a number of other administrative divisions, some of which are handled by joint boards of the councils.

## Historical
### Counties of cities

These four burghs were counties of cities, being independent from the surrounding counties for all judicial and local government purposes.
| Burgh | Date of adoption of police system | Earlier burghal history | Post Union parliamentary burgh status |
| Aberdeen royal burgh (County of a City from 1899 – previously straddled Aberdeenshire and Kincardineshire) | 1862 | Royal burgh from 1124 | 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 to 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 to 1127 | Edinburgh burgh constituency 1708 to 1885 |
| Glasgow royal burgh (County of a city from 1893 – previously in Lanarkshire) | 1800 (by private act) | Royal burgh 1611 | One of the Clyde Burghs 1708 to 1832 Glasgow burgh constituency 1832 to 1885 |
Note a: ^ Royal Burgh of Aberdeen absorbed Aberdeenshire burghs of Old Aberdeen burgh (burgh of barony 1489, police burgh 1860), Woodside (police burgh 1860) in 1891.
Note b: ^ Royal Burgh of Glasgow absorbed the following Renfrewshire burghs in the years shown:
* 1846: Gorbals (private act 1808)
* 1891: Crosshill (police burgh 1871), Govanhill (police burgh 1876), Hillhead (police burgh 1869), Pollokshields (police burgh 1876), Pollokshields East (police burgh 1880)
* 1905: Kinning Park (police burgh 1871)
* 1912: Govan (burgh of barony 1607, police burgh 1864), Pollokshaws (burgh of barony 1813, police burgh 1858)

### Burghs and Royal Burghs

| 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 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 |
| Rattray | N/A | Royal burgh 1563 | None |
| Rosehearty | 1892 | Burgh of barony 1681 | None |
| Turriff burgh | 1858 | Burgh of barony 1512 | None |
| Arbroath royal burgh | 1836 | Royal burgh 1599 [or perhaps 1555, when Johne Lyne was a commissioner for "Abirbrothok" at a convention of the royal burghs of Scotland. | 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 – now part of Dundee | 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 | 1834 | Burgh of barony 1490 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 | None |
| Eyemouth burgh | 1866 | Burgh of barony 1598 | None |
| Rothesay royal burgh | 1846 | Royal burgh 1401 | One of the Ayr Burghs 1708 to 1832 |
| Millport burgh | 1864 | None | None |
| 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 |
| Alloa burgh | 1854 | Burgh of regality 1497, reerected 1620 | None |
| Alva burgh | 1876 | None | None |
| Dollar burgh | 1891 | Burgh of regality 1702 | None |
| Tillicoultry burgh | 1871 | Burgh of barony 1634 | None |
| Annan royal burgh | 1858 | Royal burgh by 1532 | One of the Dumfries Burghs 1708 to 1918 |
| Dumfries royal burgh | 1833 | Royal burgh c 1186 Absorbed Maxwelltown burgh (Kirkcudbrightshire) in 1930 | One of the Dumfries Burghs 1708 to 1918 |
| Lochmaben royal burgh | 1858 | Confirmed 1612 Recognised as royal burgh by 1447 | One of the Dumfries Burghs 1708 to 1918 |
| Sanquhar royal burgh | 1890 | Royal burgh 1598 Originally burgh of barony 1484 | One of the Dumfries Burghs 1708 to 1918 |
| Langholm burgh | 1845 | Burgh of barony 1621 Burgh of regality 1687 | None |
| Lockerbie burgh | 1863 | None | None |
| Moffat burgh | 1864 | Burgh of regality 1648 Confirmed 1662 | None |
| Dumbarton royal burgh | 1833 | Royal burgh by 1532 | One of the Clyde Burghs 1708 to 1832, of the Kilmarnock Burghs 1832 to 1918 and of the Dumbarton Burghs 1918 to 1950 |
| Bearsden burgh | 1958 | None | None |
| Clydebank burgh | 1886 | None | One of the Dumbarton Burghs 1918 to 1950 |
| Cove and Kilcreggan burgh | 1865 | None | None |
| Cumbernauld burgh | 1968 | Burgh of barony 1649 – 1893 | None |
| Helensburgh burgh | 1846 | Burgh of barony 1802 | None |
| Kirkintilloch burgh | 1836 | Burgh of barony 1526 | None |
| Milngavie burgh | 1875 | Burgh of regality 1648 Confirmed 1662 | None |
| Dunbar royal burgh | 1863 | 'Free' burgh 1370 | One of the Haddington Burghs 1708 to 1885 |
| Haddington royal burgh | 1858 | Created royal burgh c 1124 – 53 | One of the Haddington Burghs 1708 to 1885 |
| North Berwick royal burgh | 1860 | Royal burgh by 1425 | One of the Haddington Burghs 1708 to 1885 |
| Cockenzie and Port Seton burgh | 1885 | Burgh of barony (as Cockenzie) 1591 Burgh of regality (as Winton) 1686 | None |
| East Linton burgh | 1863 | None | None |
| Prestonpans burgh | 1862 | Burgh of barony 1552 | None |
| Tranent burgh | 1860 | Burgh of barony 1542 | None |
| Anstruther Easter royal burgh | 1841–1929 | Royal burgh 1583, previously burgh of barony 1572 | One of the Anstruther Burghs 1708 to 1832 and of the St Andrews Burghs 1832 to 1918 |
| Anstruther Wester royal burgh | 1893?–1929 | Royal burgh 1587, previously burgh of barony 1541 | One of the Anstruther Burghs 1708 to 1832 and of the St Andrews Burghs 1832 to 1918 |
| Auchtermuchty royal burgh | 1874 | Royal burgh 1517 | None |
| Burntisland royal burgh | 1833 | Royal burgh 1541 | One of the Dysart Burghs 1708 to 1832 and of the Kirkcaldy Burghs 1832 to 1950 |
| Crail royal burgh | 1893? | Royal burgh since 1198, chartered 1314 – 29 | One of the Anstruther Burghs 1708 to 1832 and of the St Andrews Burghs 1832 to 1918 |
| Culross royal burgh | 1893? | Royal burgh 1592 Previously burgh of barony 1490 | One of the Stirling Burghs 1708 to 1918 |
| Cupar royal burgh | 1834 | Royal burgh by 1327 | One of the Perth Burghs 1708 to 1832 |
| Dunfermline royal burgh | 1811 – by private act | Royal burgh status restored 1594 | One of the Stirling Burghs 1708 to 1918 and of the Dunfermline Burghs 1918 to 1950 |
| Dysart royal burgh | 1834–1930 ‡ | Royal burgh 1587 Previously burgh of barony 1510 | One of the Dysart Burghs 1708 to 1832 and of the Kirkcaldy Burghs 1832 to 1950 |
| Earlsferry royal burgh | 1893?–1929 | Royal burgh status confirmed 1589 | None |
| Elie and Earlsferry royal burgh | 1929 | Created 1929 from two burghs | None |
| Falkland royal burgh | 1893? | Royal burgh 1458 | None |
| Inverkeithing royal burgh | 1892 | Royal burgh 13th century | One of the Stirling Burghs 1708 to 1918 and of the Dunfermline Burghs 1918 to 1950 |
| Kilrenny royal burgh | 1848–1929 | Royal burgh 1592, previously burgh of regality 1578 | One of the Anstruther Burghs 1708 to 1832 and of the St Andrews Burghs 1832 to 1918 |
| Kilrenny, Anstruther Easter and Anstruther Wester royal burgh | 1929 | Created 1929 from three royal burghs | None |
| Kincardine burgh | Not adopted. Burgh abolished 1893 | Burgh of barony 1663 | None |
| Kinghorn royal burgh | 1833 | Royal burgh 12th century | One of the Dysart Burghs 1708 to 1832 and of the Kirkcaldy Burghs 1832 to 1950 |
| Kirkcaldy royal burgh | 1811 (by private act) | Royal burgh 1644 Previously ecclesiastical burgh Absorbed Dysart royal burgh 1930 | One of the Dysart Burghs 1708 to 1832 and of the Kirkcaldy Burghs 1832 to 1950 |
| Newburgh royal burgh | 1850s | Royal burgh 1631, previously burgh of regality 1600 | None |
| Pittenweem royal burgh | 1842 | Royal burgh 1541, burgh of barony 1526 | One of the Anstruther Burghs 1708 to 1832 and of the St Andrews Burghs 1832 to 1918 |
| St Andrews royal burgh | 1893? | Royal burgh 1620 Previously burgh of regality 1614 and ecclesiastical burgh (12th century) | One of the Perth Burghs 1708 to 1832 |
| Buckhaven and Methil burgh | 1891 | Buckhaven burgh of barony 1662, did not endure | One of the Kirkcaldy Burghs 1918 to 1950 |
| Cowdenbeath burgh | 1890 | None | One of the Dunfermline Burghs 1918 to 1950 |
| Elie burgh | 1865–1929 | Burgh of barony 1599 | None |
| Ladybank burgh | 1877 | None | None |
| Leslie burgh | 1865 | Burgh of barony (as Leslie Green) 1458 | None |
| Leven burgh | 1867 | Burgh of barony 1609 | None |
| Lochgelly burgh | 1876 | None | One of the Dunfermline Burghs 1918 to 1950 |
| Markinch burgh | 1891 | Burgh of barony 1673 | None |
| Newport-on-Tay burgh | 1887 | None | None |
| St. Monance burgh | 1933 | Burgh of barony 1596 | None |
| Tayport burgh | 1887 | Burgh of barony (as Ferry-Port on Craig)1599 Burgh of regality (as Ferry-Port on Craig)1725 | None |
| Inverness royal burgh | 1862 | Created royal burgh c 1130 – 53 | One of the Inverness Burghs 1708 to 1918 |
| Fort William burgh | 1875 | Burgh of barony as Gordonsburgh 1618 | None |
| Kingussie burgh | 1867 | Burgh of barony 1464 | None |
| Inverbervie royal burgh | 1893? | Royal burgh by 1341 | One of the Aberdeen Burghs 1708 to 1832 and of the Montrose Burghs 1832 to 1950 |
| Banchory burgh | 1885 | May have been a burgh of barony 1805 | None |
| Laurencekirk burgh | 1889 | Burgh of barony 1779 | None |
| Stonehaven burgh | 1889 | Burgh of barony 1587 | None |
| Kinross burgh | 1864 | Burgh of barony 1541 Burgh of regality 1685 | None |
| Kirkcudbright royal burgh | 1893? | Royal burgh 1445 | One of the Dumfries Burghs 1708 to 1918 |
| New Galloway royal burgh | 1892 | Royal burgh 1630 | One of the Wigtown Burghs 1708 to 1885 |
| Castle Douglas burgh | 1862 | Burgh of barony 1791 | None |
| Dalbeattie burgh | 1858 | None | None |
| Gatehouse of Fleet burgh | 1852 | Burgh of barony 1795 | None |
| Maxwelltown burgh | 1833–1931 | Burgh of barony 1810 | None |
| Lanark royal burgh | 1855 | Created royal burgh 1153 – 59 | One of the Linlithgow Burghs 1708 to 1832 and of the Falkirk Burghs 1832 to 1918 |
| Rutherglen royal burgh | 1863 | Created royal burgh 1124 -53 | One of the Clyde Burghs 1708 to 1832 and of the Kilmarnock Burghs 1832 to 1918 |
| Airdrie burgh | 1849 | Burgh of barony 1821 Parliamentary burgh 1832 | One of the Falkirk Burghs 1832 to 1918 |
| Biggar burgh | 1863 | Burgh of barony 1451 | None |
| Bishopbriggs burgh | 1964 | None | None |
| Coatbridge burgh | 1885 | Created burgh by private act 1885 | None |
| East Kilbride burgh | 1963 | None | None |
| Govan burgh | 1864–1912 ‡ | Burgh of barony 1607 | None |
| Hamilton burgh | 1857 | Burgh of regality 1669 | One of the Falkirk Burghs 1832 to 1918 |
| Hillhead burgh | 1869–1891 ‡ | None | None |
| Maryhill burgh | 1856–1891 ‡ | None | None |
| Motherwell burgh | 1865–1920 | None | None |
| Motherwell and Wishaw burgh | 1920 | Formed 1920 from two burghs | None |
| Partick burgh | 1852–1912 ‡ | None | None |
| Wishaw burgh | 1855–1920 | None | None |
| Bonnyrigg burgh | 1865–1920 | None | None |
| Bonnyrigg and Lasswade burgh | 1930 | Formed 1930 from two burghs | None |
| Dalkeith burgh | 1878 | Burgh of barony 1401 Burgh of regality 1540 | None |
| Lasswade burgh | 1881–1920 | None | None |
| Leith burgh | 1862–1920 ‡ | Burgh of barony 1636 Parliamentary burgh 1832 | One of the Leith Burghs 1832 to 1918 |
| Loanhead burgh | 1884 | Burgh of barony 1669 | None |
| Musselburgh burgh | 1849 | Burgh of regality 1562 Parliamentary burgh 1832 | One of the Leith Burghs 1832 to 1918 |
| Penicuik burgh | 1866 | None | None |
| Portobello burgh | 1850–1896 ‡ | Parliamentary burgh 1832 | One of the Leith Burghs 1832 to 1918 |
| Elgin royal burgh | 1833 | Royal burgh status confirmed 1457 | One of the Elgin Burghs 1708 to 1918 |
| Forres royal burgh | 1836 | Re-erected as royal burgh 1496 | One of the Inverness Burghs 1708 to 1918 |
| Burghead burgh | 1900 | None | None |
| Grantown-on-Spey burgh | 1898 | Burgh of regality 1694 | None |
| Lossiemouth and Branderburgh burgh | 1890 | None | None |
| Rothes burgh | 1884 | None | None |
| Nairn royal burgh | 1841 | Royal burgh status regained 1476 | One of the Inverness Burghs 1708 to 1918 |
| Kirkwall royal burgh | 1838 | Royal burgh 1486 | One of the Tain Burghs 1708 to 1832 and of the Wick Burghs 1832 to 1918 |
| Stromness burgh | 1856 | Burgh of barony 1817 | None |
| Peebles royal burgh | 1864 | Royal burgh c. 1153 | One of the Linlithgow Burghs 1707 to 1832 |
| Innerleithen burgh | 1868 | None | None |
| Auchterarder royal burgh | 1894 | Reinstated as royal burgh 1951 | None |
| Perth royal burgh | 1865 | Royal burgh c. 1124 – 1127 | One of the Perth Burghs 1708 to 1832 Perth burgh constituency 1832 to 1950 |
| Aberfeldy burgh | 1887 | None | None |
| Abernethy burgh | 1877 | Burgh of barony 1459 | None |
| Alyth burgh | 1834 | Burgh of barony 1488 | None |
| Blairgowrie burgh | 1833–1930 | Burgh of barony 1634 | None |
| Blairgowrie and Rattray burgh | 1930 | Formed 1930 from two burghs | None |
| Callander burgh | 1866 | None | None |
| Coupar Angus burgh | 1852 | Burgh of barony 1607 | None |
| Crieff burgh | 1864 | None | None |
| Doune burgh | 1890 | None | None |
| Dunblane burgh | 1870 | Burgh of regality 1442 | None |
| Pitlochry burgh | 1947 | None | None |
| Rattray burgh | 1877–1930 | None | None |
| Renfrew royal burgh | 1855 | Royal burgh status 1397 | One of the Clyde Burghs 1708 to 1832 and of the Kilmarnock Burghs 1832 to 1918 |
| Barrhead burgh | 1894 | None | None |
| Crawfurdsdyke burgh | adopted into Greenock 1840 | Burgh of barony 1642 | None |
| Crosshill burgh | 1871–1891 | None | None |
| Gourock burgh | 1858 | Burgh of barony 1694 | None |
| Govanhill burgh | 1876–1891 | None | None |
| Greenock burgh | 1840 | Burgh of barony 1635 Parliamentary burgh 1832 | None |
| Johnstone burgh | 1857 | None | None |
| Kinning Park burgh | 1871–1905 | None | None |
| Paisley burgh | 1806 (Private Act) | Burgh of barony 1488 Burgh of regality 1587 | None |
| Pollokshaws burgh | 1858–1912 | Burgh of barony 1813 | None |
| Pollokshields burgh | 1876–1891 | None | None |
| Pollokshields East burgh | 1880–1891 | None | None |
| Port Glasgow burgh | 1800 (Private Act) | Burgh of barony 1668 | One of the Kilmarnock Burghs 1832 to 1918 |
| Dingwall royal burgh | 1834 | Royal burgh 1498 | One of the Tain Burghs 1708 to 1832 and of the Wick Burghs 1832 to 1918 |
| Fortrose royal burgh | 1867 | Union of Rosemarkie and Fortrose royal burghs 1661 | One of the Inverness Burghs 1708 to 1918 |
| Tain royal burgh | 1854 | Royal burgh 1439 | One of the Tain Burghs 1708 to 1832 and of the Wick Burghs 1832 to 1918 |
| Cromarty burgh | 1848 | Burgh of barony 1685 Parliamentary burgh 1832 | One of the Wick Burghs 1832 to 1918 |
| Invergordon burgh | 1864 | Burgh of barony 1694 | None |
| Stornoway burgh | 1863 | Burgh of barony 1607 | None |
| Jedburgh royal burgh | 1847 | Royal burgh status restored by 1424 | One of the Haddington Burghs 1708 to 1885 |
| Hawick burgh | 1845 | Burgh of barony 1511, burgh of regality 1669 | One of the Hawick Burghs 1868 to 1918 |
| Kelso burgh | 1838 | Burgh of barony 1614 | None |
| Melrose burgh | 1895 | Burgh of barony 1605 Burgh of regality 1620 | None |
| Selkirk royal burgh | 1863 | Royal burgh by 1328 | One of the Linlithgow Burghs 1708 to 1832 and of the Hawick Burghs 1868 to 1918 |
| Galashiels burgh | 1850 | Burgh of barony 1599 | One of the Hawick Burghs 1868 to 1918 |
| Stirling royal burgh | 1857 | Created royal burgh c 1124 – 1127 | One of the Stirling Burghs 1707 to 1918 and of the Stirling and Falkirk Burghs 1918 to 1950 |
| Bridge of Allan burgh | 1870 | None | None |
| Denny and Dunipace burgh | 1877 | None | |
| Falkirk burgh | 1859 | Burgh of barony 1600 Burgh of regality 1646 Parliamentary burgh 1832 | One of the Falkirk Burghs 1832 to 1918 and of the Stirling and Falkirk Burghs 1918 to 1950 |
| Grangemouth burgh | 1872 | None | One of the Stirling and Falkirk Burghs 1918 to 1950 |
| Kilsyth burgh | 1878 | Burgh of barony 1620 | None |
| Dornoch royal burgh | 1891 | Royal burgh 1628 | One of the Tain Burghs 1708 to 1832 and of the Wick Burghs 1832 to 1918 |
| Linlithgow royal burgh | 1866 | Royal burgh from c. 1138 | One of the Linlithgow Burghs 1708 to 1832 and of the Falkirk Burghs 1832 to 1918 |
| Queensferry royal burgh | 1882 | Royal burgh 1636 | One of the Stirling Burghs 1708 to 1918 |
| Armadale burgh | 1864 | None | None |
| Bathgate burgh | 1865 | Burgh of barony 1663 | None |
| Bo'ness burgh | 1883 | Burgh of regality 1668 | None |
| Whitburn burgh | 1861 | None | None |
| Stranraer royal burgh | 1848 | Royal burgh 1617 | One of the Wigtown Burghs 1708 to 1885 |
| Whithorn royal burgh | 1873 | Royal burgh 1511 | One of the Wigtown Burghs 1708 to 1885 |
| Wigtown royal burgh | 1893 ? | Royal burgh 1469 | One of the Wigtown Burghs 1708 to 1885 |
| Newton Stewart burgh | 1861 | Burgh of barony 1677 | None |
| Lerwick burgh | 1833 | Burgh of barony 1818 | None |

## Current
### Cities

| City | Population | Council area | Local government |
| Aberdeen | 198,590 (locality) 220,690 (urban) | Aberdeen City | Aberdeen City Council |
| Dundee | 148,210 (locality) 158,820 (urban) | Dundee City | Dundee City Council |
| Dunfermline | 54,990 (locality) | Fife | Fife Council |
| Edinburgh | 506,520 (locality) 530,990 (urban) | City of Edinburgh | City of Edinburgh Council |
| Glasgow | 632,350 (locality) 1,028,220 (urban) 1,861,315 (metro) | Glasgow City | Glasgow City Council |
| Inverness | 47,790 (locality) 63,730 (urban) 81,968 (metro) | Highland | The Highland Council |
| Perth | 47,350 | Perth and Kinross | Perth and Kinross Council |
| Stirling | 37,910 | Stirling | Stirling Council |

### Local councils

| Coat of arms | Council area | Council | Population (2022) | Area (km$^2$) | Administrative centre |
| | Glasgow City | Glasgow City Council | 622,820 | 175 | Glasgow |
| | City of Edinburgh | City of Edinburgh Council | 514,990 | 263 | Edinburgh |
| | Fife | Fife Council | 371,340 | 1,325 | Glenrothes |
| | North Lanarkshire | North Lanarkshire Council | 340,930 | 470 | Motherwell |
| | South Lanarkshire | South Lanarkshire Council | 327,430 | 1,772 | Hamilton |
| – | Aberdeenshire | Aberdeenshire Council | 263,750 | 6,313 | Aberdeen |
| | Highland | Highland Council | 235,710 | 25,653 | Inverness |
| | Aberdeen City | Aberdeen City Council | 224,190 | 186 | Aberdeen |
| | West Lothian | West Lothian Council | 181,720 | 428 | Livingston |
| | Renfrewshire | Renfrewshire Council | 184,340 | 261 | Paisley |
| | Falkirk | Falkirk Council | 158,450 | 297 | Falkirk |
| | Perth and Kinross | Perth and Kinross Council | 151,120 | 5,286 | Perth |
| | Dumfries and Galloway | Dumfries and Galloway Council | 145,770 | 6,426 | Dumfries |
| | Dundee City | Dundee City Council | 148,350 | 60 | Dundee |
| | North Ayrshire | North Ayrshire Council | 133,490 | 885 | Irvine |
| | East Ayrshire | East Ayrshire Council | 120,390 | 1,262 | Kilmarnock |
| | Angus | Angus Council | 114,660 | 2,181 | Forfar |
| | Scottish Borders | Scottish Borders Council | 116,820 | 4,732 | Newtown St Boswells |
| | South Ayrshire | South Ayrshire Council | 111,560 | 1,222 | Ayr |
| | East Dunbartonshire | East Dunbartonshire Council | 108,980 | 174 | Kirkintilloch |
| | East Lothian | East Lothian Council | 112,450 | 679 | Haddington |
| | Moray | Moray Council | 94,280 | 2,238 | Elgin |
| – | East Renfrewshire | East Renfrewshire Council | 97,160 | 174 | Giffnock |
| | Stirling | Stirling Council | 92,530 | 2,186 | Stirling |
| | Midlothian | Midlothian Council | 97,030 | 354 | Dalkeith |
| | West Dunbartonshire | West Dunbartonshire Council | 88,270 | 159 | Dumbarton |
| | Argyll and Bute | Argyll and Bute Council | 87,920 | 6,907 | Lochgilphead |
| | Inverclyde | Inverclyde Council | 78,340 | 160 | Greenock |
| | Clackmannanshire | Clackmannanshire Council | 51,750 | 159 | Alloa |
| | Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles) | Comhairle nan Eilean Siar | 26,120 | 3,056 | Stornoway |
| | Shetland Islands | Shetland Islands Council | 23,020 | 1,467 | Lerwick |
| | Orkney | Orkney Islands Council | 22,020 | 990 | Kirkwall |