Counties of Scotland / Shires of Scotland / Council Areas of Scotland

Let’s get to know Scotland’s counties a little more closely.

In Scotland, from the middle age until the early 1970s, there were local government units called counties or shire.

But now the counties have left their place to the council areas.

Counties of Scotland Map

A vibrant map displays Scotland's counties in unique colors, with a compass pointing north. — Counties of Scotland

Below you can find the county list used from 1890 until 1975:

Counties of Scotland 1890-1975

Caithness

A historic stone castle with towers and annexes sits by the sea on a green lawn, with cows grazing under a partly cloudy sky.

Castle in Caithness

The total area is 1,601 square kilometers. The population is 23.866. There are many indoor attractions here. Here are some of them. Broch Center, Caithness Horizons Visitor Center, Castle of Mey, Castletown Heritage Center, Old Pulteney Distillery, Waterlines Visitor Center, Wick Heritage Center.

Sutherland

A picturesque castle with multiple spires set on a hill surrounded by manicured gardens, with a fountain in the foreground, under a clear blue sky.

Dunrobin Castle

Total area is 5,252 square kilometers. The population is 12,650. Places to see are; Dunrobin Castle, Royal National Park, Cronulla Beach Walk, Cape Solander, Wanda Beach, Hazelhurst Regional Gallery & Arts Center (Gymea), Sydney Tramway Museum (Loftus), Westfield Miranda (Miranda), Kamay Botany Bay National Park Among.

Ross and Cromarty

A car driving on a road with a directional sign on the left, overlooking a bridge crossing a body of water with hills in the background.

Total area is 8,019 square kilometers. Population 49.967. Things to see absolutely, Ross and Cromarty, Chanonry Point, Bealach na Ba Road, Balblair Distillery, Inverewe Garden, Mermaid of the North, Cromarty Courthouse, Groam House Museum.

Inverness

An image of a castle with cylindrical towers on a grassy hill under a clear blue sky.

Inverness Castle

Total area is 10,906 square kilometers. Population 67.733. The places you absolutely must see are Urquhart Castle, Cawdor Castle, Falls of Foyers, Inverness Cathedral, Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, Plodda Falls, Highland Archive Center, The Steeple, Inverness Castle.

Nairn

A group of people walking and jogging along a seaside promenade with a small lighthouse in the distance and overcast skies above.

Total area is 518 square kilometers. Population 9,880. Absolutely worth seeing, Brodie Castle, Nairn Museum, Nairn Golf Club, Nairn Beach, Kilravock Castle, Rait Castle.

Moray

A photo of the ruins of an old Gothic church with an arched window, under a cloudy sky, surrounded by a grassy area with gravestones.

Elgin Cathedral

Total area is 1,233 square kilometers. Population 95,520. Places you should absolutely see, Brodie Castle, Elgin Cathedral, Spinie Castle, Duffus Castle, Pluscarden Abbey, Elgin Museum, Falconer Museum, Moray Motor Museum, Fochabers Folk Museum & Heritage Center, Cairngorms National Park, Balvenie Castle , Ballindalloch Castle, Covesea Skerries Lighthouse, Cooper Park, Drumin Castle, Craigellachie Bridge, Randolph’s Leap, Nelsons Tower, Biblical Garden Elgin, Lossiemouth East Beach, Auchindoun Castle.

Banffshire

A coastal scene with a rocky beach, driftwood, distant houses, and a vast body of water under a partly cloudy sky.

Total area is 1,660 square kilometers. The population is 65,000. Things to see absolutely, Duff House, The Old School – Boyndie Visitor Center, Suds Surf School, Glenlivet, Museum of Banff, Railway inn, Sandend Beach.

Aberdeen

A city street scene with historical buildings, a cloudy sky, pedestrians, and a bus. — union street from other end

Aberdeen Square

Total area is 5,050 square kilometers. Population is 229,000. The places you absolutely should see; Haddo House, Duff House, Braemar Castle, Huntly Castle, Castle of Huntly, New Slains Castle, Drum Castle, Craigievar Castle, Craigievar Castle, Queen’s View, Castle of Queen, Crathes Castle, Balmoral Castle, Dunnottar Castle, Cairngorms National Park , Museum of Scottish Lighthouses, Enchanted Forest, Pitlochry.

Angus

A historic castle with red and gray stonework, multiple spires, and turrets under an overcast sky, with people indicating its scale.

Glamis Castle

Total area is 2,181 square kilometers. Population is 116,500. Corlene Fee National Nature Reserve, Cairngorms National Park, Cairngorms National Park, Brechin Castle, Brechin Castle, Brechin Castle, Bremen, Cairngorms National Park, Aberfeldy Sculptured Stones (Pictish symbols) Montrose Basin Nature Reserve, Montrose Museum, Montrose Air Station Heritage Center, Montrose Air Station Heritage Center, Montrose Basin Nature Reserve, Elaine Castle, Glenisk Folk Museum,

Perth

A picturesque scene of a lake surrounded by forested hills, under a cloudy sky, with grazing sheep in the foreground.

Loch Tay

Total area is 6,547 square kilometers. Population 149,930. Things to see absolutely, Ashintully Castle, Balvaird Castle, Birnam Wood and Dunsinane Hill, Blair Castle, Cateran Trail, Dirnanean House, Drummond Castle, Dunkeld Cathedral, Edradour Distillery, Gleneagles Hotel, The Hermitage, Strathmore.

Argyll

A small castle ruin on a grassy islet, surrounded by calm water, rolling hills, and a softly lit cloudy sky.

Castle Stalker

Total area is 8,055 square kilometers. Population 91,306. The absolute must see, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, Fingal Cave, Iona Abbey, McCaig’s Tower, Castle Stalker, Dunstaffnage Castle, Dunollie Castle, Oban War & Peace Museum, Castle House Museum, Kilchurn Castle, Inveraray Castle, Duart Castle.

Bute

A historic castle with multiple spires set against a blue sky with clouds, surrounded by lush greenery and a manicured garden with benches.

Brodick Castle

Total area is 583 square kilometers. Population 7,228. Absolutely worth seeing, Brodick Castle, Kilmory Castle, Rothesay Castle, Kerrycroy Bay.

Ayr

A picturesque scene with a river, lush greenery, mountains in the backdrop, and a blue, slightly cloudy sky. — Aux alentours d’Andapa – le massif de Marojejy

Burns National Heritage Park

Total area is 2,924 square kilometers. Population 366,800. Things to see absolutely, Auchenharvie Castle, Barony and Castle of Giffen, Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, Corsehill, Dalgarven Mill – Museum of Ayrshire Country Life and Costume, Eglinton Country Park, Laigh Milton viaduct, Thurgartstone, Ayr Seafront Playpark, Burns National Heritage Park, The Low Green, Turnberry (golf course)

Renfrew

A daytime cityscape with a river, green banks, various buildings in the background, and a clear blue sky.

The Renfrew Center

Total area is 634 square kilometers. Population 346,470. Absolutely worth seeing, McDougall Mill Museum, Ma-te-way Park, Storyland, Bonnechere Falls.

Dumbarton

A train crosses a bridge over a river with boats, surrounded by greenery and distant buildings under a partly cloudy sky.

Dumbarton River

Total area is 624 square kilometers. Population 90,360. The places you absolutely should see; Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Center, Titan Clydebank, The Denny Ship Model Experiment Tank, Clydebank Museum, SEA LIFE Loch Lomond Aquarium, Balloch Country Park, Dumbarton Castle, Garden, Levengrove Park, Boden Boo.

Stirling

A waterfall with multiple cascades over a rocky cliff, surrounded by snow-covered vegetation.

Alva Glen

Total area is 1,158 square kilometers. Population is 93,800. The places you absolutely should see; Stirling Castle, William Wallace Monument, Blair Drummond Safari Park, The Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Center, Falls of Falloch, Argyll’s Lodging, Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum, Cambuskenneth Abbey, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Museum, Dunblane Museum Trust, Doune Castle, Mar’s Wark, Holy Rude, Dunblane Cathedral, Alloa Tower, Robert the Bruce Statue, Alva glen, Elphinstone Tower, Falkirk, Strathallan Games Park.

Clackmannan

Aerial view of an ancient stone castle ruins surrounded by green trees.

Castle Campbell

Total area is 159 square kilometers. Population 51,400. All you need to see are Alloa Tower, Ben Cleuch, Castle Campbell, Gartmorn Dam, Menstrie Castle.

Kinross

A serene lake with reflections of clouds on the water, surrounded by lush green trees under a partly cloudy sky.

Loch Leven Lake

Total area is 188 square kilometers. Population 12,997. The places you absolutely should see; Loch Leven Castle, Lochore Meadows, Loch Ore, Loch Leven National Nature Reserve, Bunnet Stane, Blairadam Wood.

Fife

Forth Bridge

Total area is 1,325 square kilometers. Population 370,300. The places you absolutely should see; St Andrews Castle, Deep Sea World, St Andrews Cathedral, British Golf Museum, Craigtoun Country Park, Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum, St Andrews Museum, St Fillan’s Cave, Pittencrieff House Museum, Scottish Vintage Bus Museum, Fife Folk Museum, Forth Bridge, Falkland Palace, Dunfermline Abbey, Midhope Castle, Loch Leven Castle, Pittencrieff Park, The Scottish Deer Centre, Aberdour Castle, St Andrews Botanic Garden, Ravenscraig Castle, Lomond Hills Regional Park, Kellie Castle, St Salvator’s Chapel.

East Lothian

A small, traditional stone church with a red door, arched windows, and surrounded by green grass and trees. — SONY DSC

Seton Collegiate Church

Total area is 262.2 square kilometers. Population 104,100. The places you absolutely should see; Beth Rock, Dirleton Castle, Dunglass Collegiate Church, Fenton Barns Retail & Leisure Village, Hailes Castle, Hopetoun Monument, Lennoxlove historic house, Longniddry Bents, Muirfield Golf Links, Museum of Flight, North Berwick Harbor, North Berwick Law, Preston Mill, Prestongrange Industrial Heritage Museum, Scottish Seabird Center, Seton Collegiate Church, Tantallon Castle, Chesters Hill Fort, Torrence Nuclear Power Station, Traprain Law, Yellowcraigs.

Midlothian

Aerial view of a historic stone tower surrounded by trees with a nearby church and green fields.

Borthwick Castle

Total area is 353.7 square kilometers. Population is 88,600. Places you should absolutely see, Arniston House, Borthwick Castle, Castle, Castle, Dalhousie Castle, Dalkeith Palace, Flotterstone, Hawthornden Castle, Midlothian Snowsports Center, National Mining Museum, Loanhead Memorial Park, Melville Castle, Newbattle Abbey, Pentland Hills, Roslin Castle, Roslin Glen Country Park, Rosslyn Chapel, Tyne-Esk Walk, Vogrie Country Park, Wallace’s Cave.

West Lothian

A castle with multiple towers and windows overlooking a body of water with trees and grass in the foreground under a clear sky with few clouds.

Linlithgow Palace

Total area is 427.7 square kilometers. Population 180,100. The places you absolutely should see; Beecraigs Country Park, Blackness Castle, Cairnpapple Hill, Linlithgow Palace, Polkemmet Country Park, Torphichen Preceptory.

Lanark

Aerial view of a large body of water with a pier and several boats, surrounded by greenery with a city skyline in the distance.

Strathclyde Country Park

The total area is 2,277 square kilometers. Population 652,230. The places you absolutely should see; Seven Lochs Wetland Park, Seven Lochs Park, Celtic Park, Glasgow, Strathclyde Country Park, Biggar Gasworks Museum, David Livingstone Center, Craigethan Castle, National Museum of Rural Life, Chatelherault Country Park, Scottish Football Museum, Calderglen Country Park, Tollcross, Glasgow, Cathkin Braes Country Park, Cadzow Castle, James Hamilton Heritage Park, Doulton Fountain, Castlebank Park, Richmond Park, Cambusnethan House.

Peebles

A stone bridge with multiple arches over a river, with a tower visible in the background under a cloudy sky.

Tweed Bridge

The total area is 1,419 square kilometers. In 1851 the population was 10,499. The places you absolutely should see; Dawyck Botanic Garden, Kailzie Gardens, Go Ape Peebles, Great Polish Map of Scotland, Hay Lodge Park

Selkirk

A historic castle with multiple turrets and ornate stonework, surrounded by a low stone wall, set against a backdrop of a cloudy sky and greenery.

Abbotsford House

Total area is 692 square kilometers. Population 18,267. Absolutely worth seeing, Abbotsford House, Aikwood Tower, Auld Kirk, Newark Castle, Sir Walter Scott’s Courtroom, Old Tweed Bridge, Lindean Loch.

Berwick

A view of a quaint town street at dusk with buildings on either side, cars on the road, and a clock tower in the distance under a clear sky.

The total area is 1,184 square kilometers. Population 20,657.

Roxburgh

A vintage postcard depicting a tranquil river scene with trees and a grassy embankment under a clear sky.

Total area is 1,725 square kilometers. Population 48,639.

Dumfries

A historic stone building with turrets, a central staircase, symmetrical wings, a Scottish flag, parked cars, and a manicured lawn.

Drumlanrig Castle

Total area is 2,753 square kilometers. Population 49,221. Places you should absolutely see, Caerlaverock Castle, Drumlanrig Castle, Threave Castle, Sweetheart Abbey, Kagyu Samye Ling Monastery and Tibetan Center, Dumfries Museum, Morton Castle, Garden of Cosmic Speculation, Devorgilla Bridge, Gracefield Arts Center, Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum, Kirkconnell House.

Kirkcudbright

An image of a dilapidated castle with bare trees in the foreground and a partly cloudy sky in the background.

Kenmure Castle

Total area is 2,328 square kilometers. Population 3,400. Places you should absolutely see, Garlies Castle, Wreaths Tower, Orchardtown Tower, Threave Castle, Kenmure Castle, Cardoness Castle, McLellan’s Castle, Lochinvar Castle.

Wigtown

A quaint stone castle with a pitched roof is nestled in a green landscape, featuring a driveway, metal gate, and surrounding trees.

Castle of Park

Total area is 1,261 square kilometers. Population 900. Absolutely worth seeing, Torhousekie Stone Circle, Sorbie Tower, Castle of St. John, Wigtown Castle, Glenluce Abbey, Castle of Park.

Zetland

A rural scene with sheep grazing in a field, a stone castle ruin in the background, a house to the left of the castle, and a cloudy sky overhead.

Muness Castle

Total area is 1,466 square kilometers. Population 23,210. Things to see absolutely, Jarlshof, Shetland Museum, Esha Ness Lighthouse, Scalloway Castle, Unst Boat Haven, Shetland Textile Museum, Croft House Museum, Old Haa Museum, Unst Heritage Center, Tangwick Haa Museum, Quendale Mill , Broch of Clickimin, Broch of Mousa, Muness Castle, Bonhoga Gallery, Keen of Hamar, Fair Isle South Lighthouse.

Orkney

A historical stone church with a prominent clock tower and spire, surrounded by an old graveyard with numerous tombstones, under a partly cloudy sky.

St Magnus Cathedral

Total area is 990 square kilometers. Population 21,349. Places to See Absolutely, Skara Brae, Ring of Brodgar, St Magnus Cathedral, Italian Chapel, Standing Stones of Stenness, Maeshowe, Broch of Gurness, Yesnaby, Tomb of the Eagles, Pier Arts Center, Orkney Wireless Museum, The Orkney Museum, Scapa Flow Visitor Center & Museum, Stromness Museum, Kirbuster Museum.