Complex sentence: In 1996, under the Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994, the Highland region became a unitary council area and the new unitary Highland Council adopted the areas of the former districts as management areas.
Split into simpler sentences: In 1996, under the Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994, districts were abolished and the Highland region became a unitary council area. The new unitary Highland Council adopted the areas of the former districts as management areas.