List of Constituencies in the Parliament of Scotland at the time of the Union
Encyclopedia
List of Constituencies in the Parliament of Scotland at the time of the Union is a list of the constituencies of the Parliament of Scotland
(the Estates of Scotland) during the period shortly before the Union
between the Kingdom of Scotland
and the Kingdom of England
. The unicameral Estates of Scotland existed from mediæval times until 1707.
The Commissioner
s for the burghs (the "Third Estate") and shires and stewartries (sometimes called the "Fourth Estate", or classified as a subgroup within the "Second Estate") were elected, but on a very restrictive franchise
. Commissioner was the title for ordinary, representative members of the parliament
(junior peers
were called Lords of Parliament; and senior peers, representatives of the monarch, and certain members of the clergy
also sat in parliament).
The Scottish
minister
s (the Privy Council of Scotland
), were not answerable to the Estates of Scotland but to the Scots monarch (which, after the Union of Crowns in 1603, usually meant de facto
to the Privy Council of England
, which had the opportunity to advise a king or queen resident in London
). The Parliament of Scotland was abolished when it merged with the Parliament of England
to create the new Parliament of Great Britain
, in 1707 under the Acts of Union
.
An election was not held immediately after the Union because the establishment feared a possible landslide victory
for the anti-Union Commissioners. Instead 45 Commissioners were hand-picked to represent the whole country (see Scotland (UK Parliament constituency)) as the first MPs
from Scotland
. 43 of these hand-picked representatives were pro-Union.
From 1708, there were 45 single member constituencies of the Parliament of Great Britain
. These constituencies remained unchanged until 1832. All the burghs were grouped into 4- or 5-member districts, apart from Edinburgh
. Three pairs of shires were represented in alternate Parliaments.
The names given in the 'Shire or Stewartry' column in the list below were those for the shires and stewartries used in the Parliamentary returns for the Estates of Scotland which met on 6 May 1703, as reported in 1878 (this reporting date is important to note, as the names used are the anglicised
ones introduced by the Victorians, and not the names given to the subdivisions of Scotland
extant in 1703). In some cases the form of the name is unusual and not consistent with the version commonly accepted. In others the name changed after the Union.
The names used for UK constituencies are those used in The History of Parliament 1754-1790. These may not be exactly the same as those applied in the first half of the 18th century.
Table 1: Constituencies and MPs, by type of constituency
Table 1: Constituencies and MPs, by type and number of seats
Parliament of Scotland
The Parliament of Scotland, officially the Estates of Parliament, was the legislature of the Kingdom of Scotland. The unicameral parliament of Scotland is first found on record during the early 13th century, with the first meeting for which a primary source survives at...
(the Estates of Scotland) during the period shortly before the Union
Acts of Union 1707
The Acts of Union were two Parliamentary Acts - the Union with Scotland Act passed in 1706 by the Parliament of England, and the Union with England Act passed in 1707 by the Parliament of Scotland - which put into effect the terms of the Treaty of Union that had been agreed on 22 July 1706,...
between the Kingdom of Scotland
Kingdom of Scotland
The Kingdom of Scotland was a Sovereign state in North-West Europe that existed from 843 until 1707. It occupied the northern third of the island of Great Britain and shared a land border to the south with the Kingdom of England...
and the Kingdom of England
Kingdom of England
The Kingdom of England was, from 927 to 1707, a sovereign state to the northwest of continental Europe. At its height, the Kingdom of England spanned the southern two-thirds of the island of Great Britain and several smaller outlying islands; what today comprises the legal jurisdiction of England...
. The unicameral Estates of Scotland existed from mediæval times until 1707.
The Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner is in principle the title given to a member of a commission or to an individual who has been given a commission ....
s for the burghs (the "Third Estate") and shires and stewartries (sometimes called the "Fourth Estate", or classified as a subgroup within the "Second Estate") were elected, but on a very restrictive franchise
Suffrage
Suffrage, political franchise, or simply the franchise, distinct from mere voting rights, is the civil right to vote gained through the democratic process...
. Commissioner was the title for ordinary, representative members of the parliament
Parliament
A parliament is a legislature, especially in those countries whose system of government is based on the Westminster system modeled after that of the United Kingdom. The name is derived from the French , the action of parler : a parlement is a discussion. The term came to mean a meeting at which...
(junior peers
Peerage of Scotland
The Peerage of Scotland is the division of the British Peerage for those peers created in the Kingdom of Scotland before 1707. With that year's Act of Union, the Kingdom of Scotland and the Kingdom of England were combined into the Kingdom of Great Britain, and a new Peerage of Great Britain was...
were called Lords of Parliament; and senior peers, representatives of the monarch, and certain members of the clergy
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
also sat in parliament).
The Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
minister
Minister (government)
A minister is a politician who holds significant public office in a national or regional government. Senior ministers are members of the cabinet....
s (the Privy Council of Scotland
Privy Council of Scotland
The Privy Council of Scotland was a body that advised the King.In the range of its functions the council was often more important than the Estates in the running the country. Its registers include a wide range of material on the political, administrative, economic and social affairs of Scotland...
), were not answerable to the Estates of Scotland but to the Scots monarch (which, after the Union of Crowns in 1603, usually meant de facto
De facto
De facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...
to the Privy Council of England
Privy Council of England
The Privy Council of England, also known as His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, was a body of advisers to the sovereign of the Kingdom of England...
, which had the opportunity to advise a king or queen resident in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
). The Parliament of Scotland was abolished when it merged with the Parliament of England
Parliament of England
The Parliament of England was the legislature of the Kingdom of England. In 1066, William of Normandy introduced a feudal system, by which he sought the advice of a council of tenants-in-chief and ecclesiastics before making laws...
to create the new Parliament of Great Britain
Parliament of Great Britain
The Parliament of Great Britain was formed in 1707 following the ratification of the Acts of Union by both the Parliament of England and Parliament of Scotland...
, in 1707 under the Acts of Union
Acts of Union 1707
The Acts of Union were two Parliamentary Acts - the Union with Scotland Act passed in 1706 by the Parliament of England, and the Union with England Act passed in 1707 by the Parliament of Scotland - which put into effect the terms of the Treaty of Union that had been agreed on 22 July 1706,...
.
Constituencies
The representation of the burghs and those of the shires and stewartries, by the time of the Union, consisted of 154 Commissioners elected from 99 constituencies.An election was not held immediately after the Union because the establishment feared a possible landslide victory
Landslide victory
In politics, a landslide victory is the victory of a candidate or political party by an overwhelming margin in an election...
for the anti-Union Commissioners. Instead 45 Commissioners were hand-picked to represent the whole country (see Scotland (UK Parliament constituency)) as the first MPs
MPS
MPS may refer to:* Robinson List, aka Mail Preference Service, direct mail opt-out system* Malmin Palloseura, association football club from Helsinki, Finland.* Marginal propensity to save* Master Production Schedule...
from Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. 43 of these hand-picked representatives were pro-Union.
From 1708, there were 45 single member constituencies of the Parliament of Great Britain
Parliament of Great Britain
The Parliament of Great Britain was formed in 1707 following the ratification of the Acts of Union by both the Parliament of England and Parliament of Scotland...
. These constituencies remained unchanged until 1832. All the burghs were grouped into 4- or 5-member districts, apart from Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
. Three pairs of shires were represented in alternate Parliaments.
The names given in the 'Shire or Stewartry' column in the list below were those for the shires and stewartries used in the Parliamentary returns for the Estates of Scotland which met on 6 May 1703, as reported in 1878 (this reporting date is important to note, as the names used are the anglicised
Anglicisation
Anglicisation, or anglicization , is the process of converting verbal or written elements of any other language into a form that is more comprehensible to an English speaker, or, more generally, of altering something such that it becomes English in form or character.The term most often refers to...
ones introduced by the Victorians, and not the names given to the subdivisions of Scotland
Subdivisions of Scotland
For local government purposes, Scotland is divided into 32 areas designated as "council areas" which are all governed by unitary authorities designated as "councils"...
extant in 1703). In some cases the form of the name is unusual and not consistent with the version commonly accepted. In others the name changed after the Union.
The names used for UK constituencies are those used in The History of Parliament 1754-1790. These may not be exactly the same as those applied in the first half of the 18th century.
Scottish Burghs, Shires and Stewartries
| SP Constituency | Shire or Stewartry | Commissioners | Constituency after the union |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen | Aberdeenshire Aberdeenshire Aberdeenshire is one of the 32 unitary council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy area.The present day Aberdeenshire council area does not include the City of Aberdeen, now a separate council area, from which its name derives. Together, the modern council area and the city formed historic... |
1 | Part of Aberdeen Burghs Aberdeen (UK Parliament constituency) Aberdeen was a burgh constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1832 until 1885. It was represented by one Member of Parliament , elected by the first past the post voting system.- 1832 to 1868 :... |
| Aberdeenshire | Aberdeenshire Aberdeenshire Aberdeenshire is one of the 32 unitary council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy area.The present day Aberdeenshire council area does not include the City of Aberdeen, now a separate council area, from which its name derives. Together, the modern council area and the city formed historic... |
4 | Aberdeenshire Aberdeenshire (UK Parliament constituency) Aberdeenshire was a Scottish county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of Great Britain from 1708 to 1800 and of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 until 1868... |
| Annan | Dumfries & Annandale | 1 | Part of Dumfries Burghs |
| Anstruther Easter | Fifeshire | 1 | Part of Anstruther Easter Burghs |
| Anstruther Wester | Fifeshire | 1 | Part of Anstruther Easter Burghs |
| Arbroath | Forfarshire | 1 | Part of Aberdeen Burghs |
| Argyllshire | Argyllshire | 3 | Argyllshire Argyllshire (UK Parliament constituency) Argyllshire was a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of Great Britain from 1708 to 1800 and of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 until 1950, when it was renamed Argyll... |
| Ayr | Ayrshire Ayrshire Ayrshire is a registration county, and former administrative county in south-west Scotland, United Kingdom, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. Its principal towns include Ayr, Kilmarnock and Irvine. The town of Troon on the coast has hosted the British Open Golf Championship twice in the... |
1 | Part of Ayr Burghs Ayr (UK Parliament constituency) Ayr was a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1950 to 2005. It elected one Member of Parliament by the first-past-the-post system of election.- History :... |
| Ayrshire | Ayrshire Ayrshire Ayrshire is a registration county, and former administrative county in south-west Scotland, United Kingdom, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. Its principal towns include Ayr, Kilmarnock and Irvine. The town of Troon on the coast has hosted the British Open Golf Championship twice in the... |
3 | Ayrshire Ayrshire (UK Parliament constituency) Ayrshire was a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of Great Britain from 1708 to 1800 and of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 until 1868, when it was divided into North Ayrshire and South Ayrshire.... |
| Banff | Banffshire Banffshire The County of Banff is a registration county for property, and Banffshire is a Lieutenancy area of Scotland.The County of Banff, also known as Banffshire, was a local government county of Scotland with its own county council between 1890 and 1975. The county town was Banff although the largest... |
1 | Part of Elgin Burghs |
| Banffshire Banffshire (Parliament of Scotland constituency) Banffshire was a constituency represented in the Parliament of Scotland until 1707.-Members of Parliament:... |
Banffshire Banffshire The County of Banff is a registration county for property, and Banffshire is a Lieutenancy area of Scotland.The County of Banff, also known as Banffshire, was a local government county of Scotland with its own county council between 1890 and 1975. The county town was Banff although the largest... |
2 | Banffshire Banffshire (UK Parliament constituency) Banffshire was a constituency of the House of Commons of Great Britain from 1708 to 1800, and of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1983... |
| Berwickshire | Berwickshire Berwickshire Berwickshire or the County of Berwick is a registration county, a committee area of the Scottish Borders Council, and a lieutenancy area of Scotland, on the border with England. The town after which it is named—Berwick-upon-Tweed—was lost by Scotland to England in 1482... |
4 | Berwickshire Berwickshire (UK Parliament constituency) Berwickshire was a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1708 to 1918, when it was amalgamated with neighbouring Haddington to form a new Berwick and Haddington constituency... |
| Brechin | Forfarshire | 1 | Part of Aberdeen Burghs |
| Burntisland | Fifeshire | 1 | Part of Dysart Burghs |
| Buteshire | Buteshire | 2 | Buteshire or Caithness |
| Caithness-shire | Caithness-shire | 2 | Buteshire or Caithness |
| Campbelton | Argyllshire | 1 | Part of Ayr Burghs |
| Clackmannanshire | Clackmannanshire Clackmannanshire Clackmannanshire, often abbreviated to Clacks is a local government council area in Scotland, and a lieutenancy area, bordering Perth and Kinross, Stirling and Fife.As Scotland's smallest historic county, it is often nicknamed 'The Wee County'.... |
1 | Clackmannanshire or Kinross-shire Clackmannanshire and Kinross-shire (UK Parliament constituency) Clackmannanshire and Kinross-shire were constituencies of the House of Commons of Great Britain from 1708 to 1801 and of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1918.... |
| Crail | Fifeshire | 1 | Part of Anstruther Easter Burghs |
| Cromartyshire | Cromartyshire Cromartyshire Cromartyshire was a county in the Highlands of Scotland, consisting of a main portion between Sutherland and Ross-shire and a series of exclaves within Ross-shire. Ross-shire and Cromartyshire were combined as the single county of Ross and Cromarty by the Local Government Act 1889, and this... |
2 | Cromartyshire or Nairnshire |
| Cullen | Banffshire Banffshire The County of Banff is a registration county for property, and Banffshire is a Lieutenancy area of Scotland.The County of Banff, also known as Banffshire, was a local government county of Scotland with its own county council between 1890 and 1975. The county town was Banff although the largest... |
1 | Part of Elgin Burghs |
| Culross | Perthshire Perthshire Perthshire, officially the County of Perth , is a registration county in central Scotland. It extends from Strathmore in the east, to the Pass of Drumochter in the north, Rannoch Moor and Ben Lui in the west, and Aberfoyle in the south... |
1 | Part of Stirling Burghs |
| Cupar | Fifeshire | 1 | Part of Perth Burghs |
| Dingwall | Ross-shire Ross-shire Ross-shire is an area in the Highland Council Area in Scotland. The name is now used as a geographic or cultural term, equivalent to Ross. Until 1889 the term denoted a county of Scotland, also known as the County of Ross... |
1 | Part of Tain Burghs |
| Dornoch | Sutherlandshire | 1 | Part of Tain Burghs |
| Dumbarton | Dunbartonshire Dunbartonshire Dunbartonshire or the County of Dumbarton is a lieutenancy area and registration county in the west central Lowlands of Scotland lying to the north of the River Clyde. Until 1975 it was a county used as a primary unit of local government with its county town and administrative centre at the town... |
1 | Part of Glasgow Burghs |
| Dumfries | Dumfries & Annandale | 1 | Part of Dumfries Burghs Dumfries (UK Parliament constituency) Dumfries is a Scottish town.Dumfries may also refer to:* Dumfries Burghs * Dumfriesshire , known from 1950–2005 as Dumfries*Dumfries, Virginia... |
| Dumfries & Annandale | Dumfries & Annandale | 4 | Dumfriesshire Dumfriesshire (UK Parliament constituency) Dumfriesshire was a county constituency represented in the of the House of Commons of Great Britain from 1708 to 1801 and of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 until 2005. It was known as Dumfries from 1950... |
| Dunbar | Haddingtonshire | 1 | Part of Haddington Burghs |
| Dunbartonshire | Dunbartonshire Dunbartonshire Dunbartonshire or the County of Dumbarton is a lieutenancy area and registration county in the west central Lowlands of Scotland lying to the north of the River Clyde. Until 1975 it was a county used as a primary unit of local government with its county town and administrative centre at the town... |
2 | Dunbartonshire Dunbartonshire (UK Parliament constituency) Dunbartonshire was a county constituency of the House of Commons of Great Britain from 1708 to 1801 and of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1950... |
| Dundee | Forfarshire | 1 | Part of Perth Burghs |
| Dunfermline | Fifeshire | 1 | Part of Stirling Burghs |
| Dysart | Fifeshire | 1 | Part of Dysart Burghs |
| Edinburgh | Edinburghshire | 2 | Edinburgh Edinburgh (UK Parliament constituency) Edinburgh was a burgh constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of Great Britain from 1708 to 1801 and of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 until 1885. Originally a single member constituency, representation was increased to two members in 1832... |
| Edinburghshire | Edinburghshire | 4 | Edinburghshire |
| Elgin | Elgin & Forresshire | 1 | Part of Elgin Burghs |
| Elgin & Forresshire | Elgin & Forresshire | 2 | Elginshire Elginshire (UK Parliament constituency) Elginshire, in Scotland, was a county constituency of the House of Commons of Great Britain from 1708 to 1801 and of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1832... |
| Fifeshire | Fifeshire | 4 | Fifeshire Fife (UK Parliament constituency) Fife was a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1708 until 1885, when it was divided into East Fife and West Fife.... |
| Forfar | Forfarshire | 1 | Part of Perth Burghs |
| Forfarshire | Forfarshire | 4 | Forfarshire |
| Forres | Elgin & Forresshire | 1 | Part of Inverness Burghs |
| Fortrose | Ross-shire Ross-shire Ross-shire is an area in the Highland Council Area in Scotland. The name is now used as a geographic or cultural term, equivalent to Ross. Until 1889 the term denoted a county of Scotland, also known as the County of Ross... |
1 | Part of Inverness Burghs |
| Glasgow | Lanarkshire Lanarkshire Lanarkshire or the County of Lanark ) is a Lieutenancy area, registration county and former local government county in the central Lowlands of Scotland... |
1 | Part of Glasgow Burghs Glasgow (UK Parliament constituency) Glasgow was a burgh constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1832 to 1885. It returned two Member of Parliament until 1868, and then three from 1868 to 1885... |
| Haddington | Haddingtonshire | 1 | Part of Haddington Burghs |
| Haddingtonshire | Haddingtonshire | 4 | Haddingtonshire Haddingtonshire (UK Parliament constituency) Haddingtonshire was a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1708 until 1918.-Boundaries:... |
| Inverbervie | Kincardineshire Kincardineshire The County of Kincardine, also known as Kincardineshire or The Mearns was a local government county on the coast of northeast Scotland... |
1 | Part of Aberdeen Burghs |
| Inverary | Argyllshire | 1 | Part of Ayr Burghs |
| Inverkeithing | Fifeshire | 1 | Part of Stirling Burghs |
| Inverness | Inverness-shire Inverness-shire The County of Inverness or Inverness-shire was a general purpose county of Scotland, with the burgh of Inverness as the county town, until 1975, when, under the Local Government Act 1973, the county area was divided between the two-tier Highland region and the unitary Western Isles. The Highland... |
1 | Part of Inverness Burghs Inverness (UK Parliament constituency) Inverness was a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1918 until 1983. It elected one Member of Parliament by the first-past-the-post system of election.... |
| Inverness-shire | Inverness-shire Inverness-shire The County of Inverness or Inverness-shire was a general purpose county of Scotland, with the burgh of Inverness as the county town, until 1975, when, under the Local Government Act 1973, the county area was divided between the two-tier Highland region and the unitary Western Isles. The Highland... |
2 | Inverness-shire Inverness-shire (UK Parliament constituency) Inverness-shire was a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of Great Britain from 1708 to 1801 and of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 until 1918.... |
| Inverurie | Aberdeenshire Aberdeenshire Aberdeenshire is one of the 32 unitary council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy area.The present day Aberdeenshire council area does not include the City of Aberdeen, now a separate council area, from which its name derives. Together, the modern council area and the city formed historic... |
1 | Part of Elgin Burghs |
| Irvine | Ayrshire Ayrshire Ayrshire is a registration county, and former administrative county in south-west Scotland, United Kingdom, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. Its principal towns include Ayr, Kilmarnock and Irvine. The town of Troon on the coast has hosted the British Open Golf Championship twice in the... |
1 | Part of Ayr Burghs |
| Jedburgh | Roxburghshire Roxburghshire Roxburghshire or the County of Roxburgh is a registration county of Scotland. It borders Dumfries to the west, Selkirk to the north-west, and Berwick to the north. To the south-east it borders Cumbria and Northumberland in England.It was named after the Royal Burgh of Roxburgh... |
1 | Part of Haddington Burghs |
| Kilrenny | Fifeshire | 1 | Part of Anstruther Easter Burghs |
| Kincardineshire Kincardineshire (Parliament of Scotland constituency) Kincardineshire was a constituency represented in the Parliament of Scotland until 1707.-Members of Parliament:*1667 Sir David Carnegie*1669–1674 Sir David Carnegie*1689–1707 Sir Thomas Burnett... |
Kincardineshire Kincardineshire The County of Kincardine, also known as Kincardineshire or The Mearns was a local government county on the coast of northeast Scotland... |
2 | Kincardineshire Kincardineshire (UK Parliament constituency) Kincardineshire was a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of Great Britain from 1708 to 1801 and of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1918. It was represented by one Member of Parliament .... |
| Kinghorn | Fifeshire | 1 | Part of Dysart Burghs |
| Kinross-shire | Kinross-shire Kinross-shire Kinross-shire or the County of Kinross is a registration county, electoral ward and historic county in the Perth and Kinross council area in the east central Lowlands of Scotland... |
1 | Clackmannanshire or Kinross-shire Clackmannanshire and Kinross-shire (UK Parliament constituency) Clackmannanshire and Kinross-shire were constituencies of the House of Commons of Great Britain from 1708 to 1801 and of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1918.... |
| Kintore | Aberdeenshire Aberdeenshire Aberdeenshire is one of the 32 unitary council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy area.The present day Aberdeenshire council area does not include the City of Aberdeen, now a separate council area, from which its name derives. Together, the modern council area and the city formed historic... |
1 | Part of Elgin Burghs |
| Kirkcaldy | Fifeshire | 1 | Part of Dysart Burghs |
| Kirkcudbright Burgh | Stewartry of Kirkcudbright | 1 | Part of Dumfries Burghs |
| Kirkcudbright Stewartry | Stewartry of Kirkcudbright | 2 | Kirkcudbright Stewartry |
| Kirkwall | Orkney | 1 | Part of Tain Burghs |
| Lanark | Lanarkshire Lanarkshire Lanarkshire or the County of Lanark ) is a Lieutenancy area, registration county and former local government county in the central Lowlands of Scotland... |
1 | Part of Linlithgow Burghs |
| Lanarkshire | Lanarkshire Lanarkshire Lanarkshire or the County of Lanark ) is a Lieutenancy area, registration county and former local government county in the central Lowlands of Scotland... |
4 | Lanarkshire Lanarkshire (UK Parliament constituency) Lanarkshire was a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1708 to 1868. It elected one Member of Parliament by the first past the post voting system.-Boundaries:... |
| Lauder | Berwickshire Berwickshire Berwickshire or the County of Berwick is a registration county, a committee area of the Scottish Borders Council, and a lieutenancy area of Scotland, on the border with England. The town after which it is named—Berwick-upon-Tweed—was lost by Scotland to England in 1482... |
1 | Part of Haddington Burghs |
| Linlithgow | Linlithgowshire | 1 | Part of Linlithgow Burghs Linlithgow (UK Parliament constituency) Linlithgow was a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1983 to 2005. It elected one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of elections.... |
| Linlithgowshire | Linlithgowshire | 2 | Linlithgowshire Linlithgowshire (UK Parliament constituency) Linlithgowshire was a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1708 to 1945. It elected one Member of Parliament by the first past the post voting system.... |
| Lochmaben | Dumfries & Annandale | 1 | Part of Dumfries Burghs |
| Montrose | Forfarshire | 1 | Part of Aberdeen Burghs |
| Nairn | Nairnshire | 1 | Part of Inverness Burghs |
| Nairnshire | Nairnshire | 2 | Cromartyshire or Nairnshire |
| New Galloway New Galloway (Parliament of Scotland constituency) New Galloway was a royal burgh that elected one Commissioner to the Parliament of Scotland before 1707.-Constituency:New Galloway in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright was made a royal burgh by charter of Charles I in 1630, and this was confirmed by Act of Parliament in 1633.-Burgh Commissioners:*... |
Stewartry of Kirkcudbright | 1 | Part of Wigtown Burghs |
| North Berwick | Haddingtonshire | 1 | Part of Haddington Burghs |
| Orkney & Zetland | Orkney & Zetland Shetland Islands Shetland is a subarctic archipelago of Scotland that lies north and east of mainland Great Britain. The islands lie some to the northeast of Orkney and southeast of the Faroe Islands and form part of the division between the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the North Sea to the east. The total... |
2 | Orkney & Shetland Orkney and Shetland (UK Parliament constituency) Orkney and Shetland is a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election... |
| Peebles | Peeblesshire Peeblesshire Peeblesshire , the County of Peebles or Tweeddale was a county of Scotland. Its main town was Peebles, and it bordered Midlothian to the north, Selkirkshire to the east, Dumfriesshire to the south, and Lanarkshire to the west.After the local government reorganisation of 1975 the use of the name... |
1 | Part of Linlithgow Burghs |
| Peeblesshire | Peeblesshire Peeblesshire Peeblesshire , the County of Peebles or Tweeddale was a county of Scotland. Its main town was Peebles, and it bordered Midlothian to the north, Selkirkshire to the east, Dumfriesshire to the south, and Lanarkshire to the west.After the local government reorganisation of 1975 the use of the name... |
2 | Peeblesshire Peeblesshire (UK Parliament constituency) Peeblesshire was a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1708 until 1868. It elected one Member of Parliament by the first past the post voting system.-Boundaries:... |
| Perth | Perthshire Perthshire Perthshire, officially the County of Perth , is a registration county in central Scotland. It extends from Strathmore in the east, to the Pass of Drumochter in the north, Rannoch Moor and Ben Lui in the west, and Aberfoyle in the south... |
1 | Part of Perth Burghs Perth (UK Parliament constituency) Perth was a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1832 to 1918, 1918 to 1950, and 1997 to 2005. From 1832 to 1918 it was a burgh constituency. From 1918 to 1950, and 1997 to 2005, it was a county constituency... |
| Perthshire | Perthshire Perthshire Perthshire, officially the County of Perth , is a registration county in central Scotland. It extends from Strathmore in the east, to the Pass of Drumochter in the north, Rannoch Moor and Ben Lui in the west, and Aberfoyle in the south... |
4 | Perthshire Perthshire (UK Parliament constituency) Perthshire was a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of Great Britain from 1708 to 1801 and of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 until 1885, representing a seat for one Member of Parliament .-Boundaries:... |
| Pittenweem | Fifeshire | 1 | Part of Anstruther Easter Burghs |
| Queensferry | Linlithgowshire | 1 | Part of Stirling Burghs |
| Renfrew | Renfrewshire Renfrewshire Renfrewshire is one of 32 council areas used for local government in Scotland. Located in the west central Lowlands, it is one of three council areas contained within the boundaries of the historic county of Renfrewshire, the others being Inverclyde to the west and East Renfrewshire to the east... |
1 | Part of Glasgow Burghs |
| Renfrewshire | Renfrewshire Renfrewshire Renfrewshire is one of 32 council areas used for local government in Scotland. Located in the west central Lowlands, it is one of three council areas contained within the boundaries of the historic county of Renfrewshire, the others being Inverclyde to the west and East Renfrewshire to the east... |
3 | Renfrewshire Renfrewshire (UK Parliament constituency) Renfrewshire was a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of Great Britain from 1708 until 1801 and of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1885.... |
| Ross-shire | Ross-shire Ross-shire Ross-shire is an area in the Highland Council Area in Scotland. The name is now used as a geographic or cultural term, equivalent to Ross. Until 1889 the term denoted a county of Scotland, also known as the County of Ross... |
2 | Ross-shire Ross-shire (UK Parliament constituency) Ross-shire was a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of Great Britain from 1708 to 1801 and of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1832... |
| Rothesay | Buteshire | 1 | Part of Ayr Burghs |
| Roxburghshire | Roxburghshire Roxburghshire Roxburghshire or the County of Roxburgh is a registration county of Scotland. It borders Dumfries to the west, Selkirk to the north-west, and Berwick to the north. To the south-east it borders Cumbria and Northumberland in England.It was named after the Royal Burgh of Roxburgh... |
4 | Roxburghshire Roxburghshire (UK Parliament constituency) Roxburghshire was a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of Great Britain from 1708 to 1801, and of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1918... |
| Rutherglen | Lanarkshire Lanarkshire Lanarkshire or the County of Lanark ) is a Lieutenancy area, registration county and former local government county in the central Lowlands of Scotland... |
1 | Part of Glasgow Burghs |
| St Andrews | Fifeshire | 1 | Part of Perth Burghs |
| Sanquhar | Dumfries & Annandale | 1 | Part of Dumfries Burghs |
| Selkirk | Selkirkshire Selkirkshire Selkirkshire or the County of Selkirk is a registration county of Scotland. It borders Peeblesshire to the west, Midlothian to the north, Berwickshire to the north-east, Roxburghshire to the east, and Dumfriesshire to the south... |
1 | Part of Linlithgow Burghs |
| Selkirkshire | Selkirkshire Selkirkshire Selkirkshire or the County of Selkirk is a registration county of Scotland. It borders Peeblesshire to the west, Midlothian to the north, Berwickshire to the north-east, Roxburghshire to the east, and Dumfriesshire to the south... |
2 | Selkirkshire Selkirkshire (UK Parliament constituency) Selkirkshire was a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1708 until 1868, when it was combined with Peeblesshire to form Peebles and Selkirk... |
| Stirling | Stirlingshire Stirlingshire Stirlingshire or the County of Stirling is a registration county of Scotland, based around Stirling, the former county town. It borders Perthshire to the north, Clackmannanshire and West Lothian to the east, Lanarkshire to the south, and Dunbartonshire to the south-west.Until 1975 it was a county... |
1 | Part of Stirling Burghs Stirling (UK Parliament constituency) Stirling is a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.-Boundaries:... |
| Stirlingshire | Stirlingshire Stirlingshire Stirlingshire or the County of Stirling is a registration county of Scotland, based around Stirling, the former county town. It borders Perthshire to the north, Clackmannanshire and West Lothian to the east, Lanarkshire to the south, and Dunbartonshire to the south-west.Until 1975 it was a county... |
3 | Stirlingshire Stirlingshire (UK Parliament constituency) Stirlingshire was a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of Great Britain and later of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1708 until 1918... |
| Stranraer | Wigtownshire Wigtownshire Wigtownshire or the County of Wigtown is a registration county in the Southern Uplands of south west Scotland. Until 1975, the county was one of the administrative counties used for local government purposes, and is now administered as part of the council area of Dumfries and Galloway... |
1 | Part of Wigtown Burghs |
| Sutherlandshire | Sutherlandshire | 1 | Sutherland Sutherland (UK Parliament constituency) Sutherland was a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of Great Britain from 1708 to 1801 and of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1918. It represented essentially the traditional county of Sutherland, electing one Member of Parliament... |
| Tain | Ross-shire Ross-shire Ross-shire is an area in the Highland Council Area in Scotland. The name is now used as a geographic or cultural term, equivalent to Ross. Until 1889 the term denoted a county of Scotland, also known as the County of Ross... |
1 | Part of Tain Burghs Tain Burghs (UK Parliament constituency) Tain Burghs, was a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of Great Britain from 1708 to 1801 and of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1832, sometimes known as Northern Burghs. It was represented by one Member of Parliament .The first election in Tain Burghs was in 1708... |
| Whithorn | Wigtownshire Wigtownshire Wigtownshire or the County of Wigtown is a registration county in the Southern Uplands of south west Scotland. Until 1975, the county was one of the administrative counties used for local government purposes, and is now administered as part of the council area of Dumfries and Galloway... |
1 | Part of Wigtown Burghs |
| Wick | Caithness-shire | 1 | Part of Tain Burghs |
| Wigtown | Wigtownshire Wigtownshire Wigtownshire or the County of Wigtown is a registration county in the Southern Uplands of south west Scotland. Until 1975, the county was one of the administrative counties used for local government purposes, and is now administered as part of the council area of Dumfries and Galloway... |
1 | Part of Wigtown Burghs |
| Wigtownshire Wigtownshire (Parliament of Scotland constituency) Wigtownshire was a constituency represented in the Parliament of Scotland until 1707.-Members of Parliament:*1644, 1647, 1665, 1667 and 1669 Sir Andrew Agnew*1685, 1689–1702 Sir Andrew Agnew... |
Wigtownshire Wigtownshire Wigtownshire or the County of Wigtown is a registration county in the Southern Uplands of south west Scotland. Until 1975, the county was one of the administrative counties used for local government purposes, and is now administered as part of the council area of Dumfries and Galloway... |
2 | Wigtownshire Wigtownshire (UK Parliament constituency) Wigtownshire, was a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of Great Britain from 1708 to 1801 and of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1918. It was represented by one Member of Parliament.... |
Analysis of Scottish constituencies, 1703 and 1708
Key to categories in the following tables: BC - Burgh constituencies, SC - Shire and Stewartry constituencies, Total C - Total constituencies, BMP - Burgh Members of Parliament, SMP - Shire and Stewartry Members of Parliament.Table 1: Constituencies and MPs, by type of constituency
| Year | BC | SC | Total C | BMP | SMP | Total MPs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1703 | 66 | 33 | 99 | 67 | 87 | 154 |
| 1708 | 15 | 30 | 45 | 15 | 30 | 45 |
Table 1: Constituencies and MPs, by type and number of seats
| Year | BCx1 | BCx2 | SCx1 | SCx2 | SCx3 | SCx4 | Total C | Total MPs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1703 | 65 | 1 | 3 | 16 | 4 | 10 | 99 | 154 |
| 1708 | 15 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 45 |
See also
- List of UK Parliament constituencies in Scotland from 1707
- Parliament of ScotlandParliament of ScotlandThe Parliament of Scotland, officially the Estates of Parliament, was the legislature of the Kingdom of Scotland. The unicameral parliament of Scotland is first found on record during the early 13th century, with the first meeting for which a primary source survives at...
- 1st Parliament of Great Britain1st Parliament of Great BritainThe first Parliament of the Kingdom of Great Britain was established in 1707, after the merger of the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland. No fresh elections were held in England, and the existing members of the House of Commons of England sat as members of the new House of Commons of...
- 2nd Parliament of Great Britain2nd Parliament of Great BritainThe 2nd Parliament of Great Britain was the first to actually be elected, as the 1st Parliament of Great Britain was drawn from the former Parliament of England and Parliament of Scotland....
- District of burghs (UK Parliament)District of burghs (UK Parliament)The Act of Union 1707 and pre-Union Scottish legislation provided for 14 Members of Parliament from Scotland to be elected from districts of burghs. All the parliamentary burghs were assigned to a district, except for Edinburgh which had an MP to itself...
- Lord High Commissioner to the Parliament of ScotlandLord High Commissioner to the Parliament of ScotlandThe Lord High Commissioners to the Parliament of Scotland, sometimes referred to as the fifth estate of the Estates of Scotland, were the Scottish Sovereign's personal representative to the Parliament of Scotland following James VI of Scotland's accession to the throne of England and his becoming,...