Local government areas of Scotland 1973 to 1996. Background[edit] The reorganisation of local government in Scotland was a matter of political debate from the mid-1960s.
In June 1963 the Scottish Office published a white paper titled The Modernization of Local Government in Scotland (Cmnd.2067). Subdivisions of Scotland. For local government purposes, Scotland is divided into 32 areas designated as "council areas" which are all governed by unitary authorities[1] designated as "councils".
They have the option under the Local Government (Gaelic Names) (Scotland) Act 1997[2] of being known (but not re-designated) as a "comhairle" when opting for a Gaelic name; only Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar (Council of the Western Isles) has chosen this option whereas the Highland Council (Comhairle na Gaidhealtachd) has adopted its Gaelic form alongside its English equivalent informally. Historically Scotland has been 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. History of the subdivisions of Scotland[edit] Traditionally burghs have been the key unit of the local government of Scotland, being highly autonomous entities, with rights to representation in the old Parliament of Scotland. Scotland.