burgh

Former unit of Scottish local government, referring to a town enjoying a degree of self-government. Burghs were abolished in 1975; the terms burgh and royal burgh once gave mercantile privilege but are now only an honorary distinction.

History Burghs had their origin as early as the 12th century as local communities granted a royal monopoly of trade in the surrounding district. In addition to these royal regality burghs there developed barony burghs established by the Scottish barons and enjoying similar trading privileges.

The burghs provided the framework for municipal reform in Scotland after 1832 and remained the basic urban unit of local government until the reorganization of local government in Scotland in 1975.

There are now 32 single-tier councils in Scotland, responsible for the full range of local government services. There are also community councils, representing the views of their local communities to the authorities providing the services.

burgh

Archaic form of borough.