Old Ordnance Survey Maps of Argyll & Bute

This page summarises the local government organisation of Argyll and Bute since 1890.

  • Argyllshire and the County of Bute were two of Scotland's 34 counties before 1890.
  • In the 1890 reorganisation the Small Isles, notably Canna, Muck and Rùm, were transferred from Argyllshire to Inverness-shire. Argyllshire remained a large county, stretching from Ardnamurchan in the north to Kintyre in the south, and including several islands, notably Islay and Mull.
  • The County of Bute included the Isle of Arran, Great Cumbrae and Little Cumbrae, as well as Bute itself.
  • Both the County of Bute and Argyllshire remained independent counties until 1975.
  • In 1890 Argyllshire had the following burghs: Campbeltown (royal burgh), Inverary (royal burgh), Dunoon, Lochgilphead, Oban, Tobermory. The county town was Inverary.
  • In 1890 County of Bute had the following burghs: Rothesay (royal burgh), Millport. The couny town was Rothesay.
  • In 1975 there was major reorganisation as the counties were abolished and replaced by 12 Regions. Both Argyllshire and Bute became part of Strathclyde.
  • Beneath the region in a three-tier structure were 6 sub-regions, to some extent based on the old counties. These were: Argyll, Ayr, Dunbarton, Glasgow, Lanark, and Renfrew.
  • The Isle of Arran and the Cumbraes were transferred from the County of Bute to Cunninghame district in Ayr.
  • Bute was transferred to Argyll.
  • The northern tip of Argyllshire, including Ardnamurchan and Ballachulish, was transferred to Highland region.
  • In 1996 there was further reorganisation as the Regions and Districts were abolished and replaced by 32 unitary councils. Argyll became a unitary council and was renamed Argyll & Bute.
  • For a list of Argyll & Bute maps go to the Argyll page. For a full list of Scottish maps, return to the Scotland page
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    Minor changes are not listed here, but please advise us of any significant errors or omissions.
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    The Godfrey Edition / sales@alangodfreymaps.co.uk / 11 November 2016