Inverness-shire
Inverness-shire | |
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![]() | |
Country | Scotland |
County town | Inverness |
Area | |
• Total | 4,211 sq mi (10,906 km2) |
Ranked 1st of 34 | |
Chapman code | INV |
Website | www |
Inverness-shire (Scottish Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Nis) or the County of Inverness, is a historic county in Scotland. It is named after Inverness, its largest settlement, which was also the county town. Covering much of the Highlands and some of the Hebrides, it is Scotland's largest county by land area. It is generally rural and sparsely populated, containing only three towns which held burgh status, being Inverness, Fort William and Kingussie. The county is crossed by the Great Glen, which contains Loch Ness and separates the Grampian Mountains to the south-east from the Northwest Highlands. The county also includes Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in both Scotland and the United Kingdom.
The county ceased to be used for local government purposes in 1975. Since then, the parts of the county on the mainland and in the Inner Hebrides have been part of the Highland region, which was redesignated a council area in 1996. The Outer Hebrides parts of the county became part of the Western Isles, which since 1998 has used only the Scots Gaelic version of its name, Na h-Eileanan an Iar. The neighbouring counties prior to the 1975 reforms were (clockwise from north) Ross and Cromarty, Nairnshire, Moray, Banffshire, Aberdeenshire, Perthshire and Argyll. The mainland part of the county had a coast to the east onto the Moray Firth, and a much longer coast to the west onto the Sea of the Hebrides.
The historic county boundaries of Inverness-shire are still used for certain functions, being a registration county. There is also an Inverness lieutenancy area which covers the mainland part of the pre-1975 county and the Small Isles, as well as the parts of the historic counties of Argyll and Moray that were transferred to Highland.
History
[edit]The mainland part of Inverness-shire was anciently part of the Province of Moray, ruled by the Earls or Mormaers of Moray, sometimes as a vassal of the Scottish crown, and at other times effectively as a separate kingdom. The province was finally brought fully into the Kingdom of Scotland during the 12th century.[1] In order to secure the Scottish crown's authority over the area, it was divided into shires, being areas administered by a sheriff. The old province of Moray was broadly split into the three shires of Elginshire, Nairnshire, and Inverness-shire.[2]
Around the same time, the Scottish crown was also trying to secure its control on Ross and Caithness (which then included Sutherland), the mainland provinces north of Moray. The Scottish crown had claimed them since 1098 when Norwegian overlordship of that area had been ceded to Scotland, but like Moray they had remained largely independent. Whereas Moray was divided into shires at some point during the 12th century, Ross and Caithness were not made shires at that time.[3] Instead, the Sheriff of Inverness was given authority (at least nominally) over the northern provinces too. By the mid-13th century, there were sheriffs at Cromarty and Dingwall in Ross, but the extent of their control was fairly limited, with the Sheriff of Inverness still responsible for most of Ross and Caithness. The position of Sheriff of Dingwall did not endure.[4]
In the 15th century, the quasi-independent Lordship of the Isles was fully incorporated into the kingdom of Scotland, and the Sheriff of Inverness was then also made responsible for the Outer Hebrides and some of the Inner Hebrides, notably Skye. An act of parliament in 1504 acknowledged that the sheriffdom of Inverness was too big for the effective administration of justice, and so declared Ross and Caithness to be separate shires.[5] In the event, that act was not put into effect as far as Ross was concerned. A subsequent act in 1661 finally separated Ross from Inverness-shire. The new shire of Ross-shire also included the northern part of the Outer Hebrides, notably the Isle of Lewis.[6] After 1661, Inverness-shire therefore comprised the western part of the old province of Moray on the mainland, the southern Outer Hebrides, and some of the Inner Hebrides.[7][8]
Over time, Scotland's shires became more significant than the old provinces, with more administrative functions being given to the sheriffs. In 1667 Commissioners of Supply were established for each shire, which would serve as the main administrative body for the area until the creation of county councils in 1890. Following the Acts of Union in 1707, the English term 'county' came to be used interchangeably with the older term 'shire'.[9]
In 1870, Cromdale and Grantown-on-Spey were transferred from Inverness-shire to Elginshire in exchange for the area around Aviemore.[10][11]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a7/Inverness_Castle%2C_Scotland_-_Diliff.jpg/220px-Inverness_Castle%2C_Scotland_-_Diliff.jpg)
Elected county councils were established in 1890 under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889, taking most of the functions of the commissioners (which were eventually abolished in 1930). The burgh of Inverness was deemed capable of providing its own county-level local government functions, and so it was excluded from the administrative area of the county council, although the county council still chose to base itself there.[12][13] Inverness-shire County Council held its first meeting on 22 May 1890 in the county's main courthouse at Inverness Castle, which had been rebuilt in 1836.[14][15]
The 1889 Act also led to a review of boundaries, with exclaves being transferred to a county they actually bordered, and parish and county boundaries being adjusted to eliminate cases where parishes straddled county boundaries. There were several such changes affecting the boundaries of Inverness-shire. Notable changes included gaining the Small Isles of Canna, Rùm and Muck from Argyll. Exceptionally, the parish of Croy and Dalcross, was allowed to continue to straddle Inverness-shire and Nairnshire. The boundary changes all took effect in 1891.[16]
Inverness was subsequently brought within the administrative area of the county council in 1930, but classed as a large burgh, allowing the town council to continue to provide most local government services.[17]
Geography
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/Stag_at_Loch_Quoich_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1805611.jpg/220px-Stag_at_Loch_Quoich_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1805611.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/BenNevis2005.jpg/220px-BenNevis2005.jpg)
Inverness-shire is Scotland's largest county and the second largest in the UK as a whole after Yorkshire. It borders Ross-shire to the north, Nairnshire, Moray, Banffshire and Aberdeenshire to the east, and Perthshire and Argyllshire to the south.
Its mainland section covers a large area of the Highlands, bordering the Sea of the Hebrides to the west and Beauly Firth and Moray Firth to the east which provide access to the North Sea. It is split into two by the Great Glen, a roughly 60-mile geological fault which runs south-west to north-east and divides the Northwest Highlands to the west from the Grampian Mountains (including the Monadhliath Mountains) to the east. The glen contains the notable lochs of Loch Ness (Scotland's second largest), Loch Oich, and Loch Lochy, which are connected by the Caledonian Canal; it opens into the south-west into the sea loch Loch Linnhe. Ben Nevis, the tallest peak in Britain, is located to the east of Fort William. The west coast consists of a number of large peninsulas divided by long loch inlets; north-to-south these are Glenelg (shared with Ross-shire), Loch Hourn, Knoydart, Loch Nevis, North and South Morar/Arisaig, Loch nan Uamh, Ardnish, Loch Ailort, Moidart and Loch Moidart. This area was traditionally referred to as the Rough Bounds due to its remoteness and inaccessibility and it remains wild and sparsely populated today. The terrain in Inverness-shire is generally mountainous, with numerous lochs scattered throughout the county, the largest of these being: Loch Ashie, Loch Mhor, Loch Knockie, Loch Duntelchaig, Loch Ruthven, Loch Moy, Loch Alvie, Loch Insh, Loch an Eilean, Loch Killin, Loch Crunachdan, Loch Morlich, Loch Garten, Loch Einich, Loch an t-Seilich, Loch na Cuaich, Loch Coaldair, the Blackwater Reservoir, Loch Treig, Loch Ossian, Loch Laggan, Loch Spean, Loch Ericht, Loch Gulbin, Lochan na h-Earba, Loch Pattack, Loch Eilde Mòr, Loch a' Bhealaich Bheithe, Loch a' Bhealaich Leamhain, Lochan Lùnn Dà-Bhrà, Loch Bruicaich, Loch Meiklie, Loch ma Stac, Loch a' Chràthaich, Loch na Beinne Baine, Loch Lundie, Loch Garry, Loch Beannacharan, Loch Beinn a Mheadhoin, Loch Monar, Loch Mullardoch, Loch Affric, Loch Cluanie, Loch Loyne, Loch Quoich, Loch an Dubh-Lochain, Loch Arkaig, Loch Morar, Loch Beoriad, Loch Dhoire a' Ghearrain and Loch Shiel.
Inverness-shire contains numerous small islands off its west coast which form part of the Inner Hebrides. The largest of these is Skye, separated from the Inverness-shire mainland by the Sound of Sleat; popular with tourists, it is a huge, sprawling island - the second biggest in Scotland - containing numerous peninsulas and offshore islands. The small isle of Eigg is also within Inverness-shire, despite the other Small Isles being in Argyllshire. To the west, across the Little Minch, most of the Outer Hebrides fall within the county, with the notable exception of Lewis which is in Ross-shire. Further west still lie the remote islands of St Kilda, which have been uninhabited since 1930. Much further west, 230 miles from the Outer Hebrides, lies the extremely remote, uninhabitable island of Rockall, which is subject to a territorial dispute with Ireland.
Islands
[edit]- An t-Eilean Meadhoin
- Brinacory Island
- Eilean a' Ghiuthais
- Eilean a' Phidhir
- Eilean Bàn
- Eilean Choinneach
- Eilean nam Breac
Inner Hebrides
[edit]- Airor Island
- Am Bi-bogha Beag
- Am Bi-bogha Mhòr
- Am Bord (also known as Lord Macdonald's Table)
- Am Fraoch-eilean
- An Dubh-sgeir
- An Dubh Sgeir
- An Garbh-eilean
- An Glas Eilean
- An t-Iasgair
- Ascrib Islands
- Bogh Oitir
- Clac nan Ràmh
- The Cleats
- Clett
- Corr Eilean
- Cow Rock
- Dubh Sgeir
- Eigg
- Eilean a' Chaolais
- Eilean a' Choire
- Eilean a' Chuilinn
- Eilean a' Ghaill
- Ealean a' Gharb-làin
- Eilean a' Mhuineil
- Eilean a' Phiobaire
- Eilean Aigastan
- Eilean an Eòin
- Eilean an Fheidh
- Eilean an Fhraoich
- Eilean an Inbhire
- Eilean an Sgùrra
- Eilean a t-Sabhail
- Eilean an t-Snidhe
- Eilean Buidhe
- Eilean Chathastail
- Eilean Chlamail
- Eilean Coille
- Eilean Dà Chuain
- Eilean Dearg
- Eilean Fladday
- Eilean Gaineamhach Boreraig
- Eilean Garbh
- Eilean Ghiubhais
- Eilean Gobhlach
- Eilean Heast
- Eilean Ighe
- Eilean Maol
- Eilean Mhogh-sgeir
- Eilean Mòr
- Eilean na h-Àirde
- Eilean na h-Arcairseid
- Eilean na h-Oitire
- Eilean na Glaschoille
- Eilean nam Bairneach
- Eilean nan Cabar
- Eilean nan Gobhar
- Eilean nan Trom
- Eilean Port nam Murrach
- Eilean Ràrsaidh
- Eilean Raonuill
- Eilean Reamhar
- Eilean Ruairidh
- Eilean Seamraig
- Eilean Sgorach
- Eilean Shamadalain
- Eilean Shona
- Eilean Sionnach
- Eilean Thuilm
- Eilean Tigh
- Eilean Tioram (Loch Hourn)
- Eilean Tioram (Loch Nevis)
- Eilean Trodday
- Eileanan Dubha
- Fladda-chùain
- Flod Sgeir
- Gaeilavore Island
- Gairbh Eilein
- Garbh Eilean
- Gearran Island
- Glas Eilean
- Griana-sgeir
- Guillamon Island
- Harlosh Island
- Holoman Island
- Isay
- Lampay
- Longay
- Luinga Beag
- Luinga Mhòr
- Macleaod's Maidens
- Manish Island
- Meallan Odhar
- Mingay
- Na Gamhnachain
- Ornsay
- Oronsay
- Pabay
- Raasay
- Riska Island
- Roag Island
- Samalaman Island
- Sandaig Islands
- Scalpay
- Sgeir a' Chuain
- Sgeir a'Ghaill
- Sgeir an Fheòir
- Sgeir an t-Struith
- Sgeir Biodaig
- Sgeir Chnapach
- Sgeir Dhearg
- Sgeir Dorcha
- Sgeir Fhada
- Sgeir Ghainmheach
- Sgeir Ghlas
- Sgeir Gobhlach
- Sgeir Leathan
- Sgeir Mhòr
- Sgier na Caillich
- Sgeir na h-Éireann
- Sgeir nam Biast
- Sgeir nam Maol
- Sgeir nan Eilid
- Sgeir nan Ruideag
- Sgeir Shuas
- Sgeir Thraid
- Sgeirean Buidhe Bhorlum
- Sgeirean Dubha Fhiadhach
- Sgeirean Gobhlach
- Sgeirean Glasa
- Sgeirean Ràrsaidh
- Skye
- Soay
- South Rona
- Staffin Island
- Sula Skerry
- Tarner Island
- Tulm Island
- Wiay
-
Coast of Eigg
-
Dùn Caan mountain on Raasay
-
Oronsay
-
Landscape of northern Skye
Outer Hebrides
[edit]- Baleshare
- Barra
- Barra Head (also known as Berneray)
- Bearran
- Benbecula
- Berneray
- Bhacasaigh
- Bhaiteam
- Bhatam
- Bhorogaigh
- Bhotarsaigh
- Bior-eilean
- Boreray
- Cafuam
- Caigionn
- Càiream
- Calabhagh
- Calbhaigh (multiple islands with this name)
- Callum More
- Caolaigh
- Causamul
- Ceallasaigh Beag
- Ceallasaigh Mòr
- Cearstaigh
- Cliasaigh Beag
- Cliasaigh Mòr
- Collam
- Copaigh
- Corr-eileanan
- Crago
- Craobaghan
- Creag na Staid
- Creag nan Sealladh
- Cuidhnis
- Cuidsgeir
- Deasgeir
- Dioraigh
- Dubh-Sgeir Mhòr
- Duisgeir (northern)
- Duisgeir (south-east)
- Duisgeir (south-west)
- Dùn Àrn
- Dùn Corr Mòr
- Eilean a' Bhogha
- Eilean a' Gheoidh
- Eilean a' Ghiorr
- Eilean a' Ghuail
- Eilean a' Mhadaidh
- Eilean a' Mhail
- Eilean a' Mhòrain
- Eilean Àird Rainis
- Eilean an Fhèidh
- Eilean an Fhraoich Miatha
- Eilean an Rubha
- Eilean Baile Gearraidh
- Eilean Bhàlaig
- Eilean Bheirean
- Eilean Chàirminis
- Eilean Chòdam
- Eilean Chrossain
- Eilean Chuidhtinis
- Eilean Cuithe nam Fiadh
- Eilean Direcleit
- Eilean Dubh Chollaim
- Eilean Dubh na Muice
- Eilean Fhionnlaidh
- Eilean Fhionnsabhaigh
- Eilean Fuam
- Eilean Iochdrach
- Eilean Leathan
- Eilean Lingreabhaigh
- Eilean Mhànais
- Eilean Mhàraig
- Eilean Mhiàthlais
- Eilean Mhic Caoilte
- Eilean Mhic Fhionnlaidh
- Eilean Mhidinis
- Eilean na Cille
- Eilean na Cloiche
- Eilean na h-Àirigh
- Eilean na Gearrabreac
- Eilean na Praise
- Eilean na Sgaite
- Eilean na Sgùirr
- Eilean nam Bridianach
- Eilean nan Carnan
- Eilean nan Each
- Eilean nan Gamhna
- Eilean nan Gearr
- Eilean nan Imireachean
- Eilean nan Mult
- Eilean Ornais
- Eilean Rainich
- Eilean Reinis
- Eilean Reinigeadail
- Eilean Sheumais
- Eilean Stocanais
- Eilean Trostain
- Eileana Dubha
- Eileanan a' Gheòidh
- Eileanan a' Ghille-bheid
- Eileanan Àrda
- Eileanan Chearabhaigh
- Eileanan Dubha
- Eileanan Iasgaich
- Eileanan Stafa
- Ensay
- Eriskay
- Fathoire
- Fearamas
- Fiaraigh
- Fladaigh
- Flodaigh Beag
- Flodaigh Mòr
- Flodday, Loch Maddy
- Flodday (Sound of Barra)
- Flodday (Vatersay)
- Fodragaigh
- Fuday
- Fuidheigh
- Fuidheigh Beag
- Fuam
- Fuam an Tolla
- Fuam na h-Ola
- Fuam Raonaid
- Gàisgeir
- Gàisgeir Beag
- Garbh Lingeigh
- Gasay
- Gèarum Beag
- Gearum Mòr
- Gighay
- Gilsaigh
- Glas Eilean Mòr
- Glas-eilean na Creige
- Glas-sgeir
- Glas Sgeir
- Gloraig a' Chaimbeulaich
- Gloraig Dubh
- Gloraig Hùisinis
- Gloraig Iosal
- Gloraig Tharasaigh
- Gousman
- Greanamul
- Greanamul Deas
- Grèine Sgeir
- Grèineam
- Grianamul
- Grimsay
- Gròdaigh
- Guanan
- Gumersam Beag
- Gumersam Mhòr
- Hairteamul
- Hamarsaigh
- Harris (part of the larger Lewis and Harris island)
- Haskeir
- Hèalam
- Heastam Sròmaigh
- Heisgeir a-muigh
- Heisgeir a-Staigh
- Heisgeir Eagach
- Heisteamuil
- Hellisay
- Hermetray
- Hestam
- Holaisgeir
- Horaigh
- Huanaraigh
- Hulmatraigh
- Iosaigh
- Killegray
- Kirkibost
- Lamalum
- Langa Sgeir
- Lingeigh (multiple islands with this name)
- Lingeigh, North Uist
- Lingeigh Fhada
- Liungaigh
- Liursaigh Dubh
- Liursaigh Glas
- Lonachan
- Madadh Beag
- Madadh Gruamach
- Madadh Mòr
- Màitheigh Riabhach
- Màitheigh Glas
- Mail Dòmhnaich
- Maragaidh Beag
- Maragaidh Mòr
- Màsgeir
- Mealla Brù
- Mile-sgeir
- Mingulay
- Monach Islands
- Muldoanich
- Nàrstaigh
- North Uist
- Oisteim
- Oitir Bheag
- Opasaigh
- Or Eilean
- Orasaigh (multiple islands with this name)
- Orasaigh Uisgeabhagh
- Pabbay (Harris)
- Pabbay (Barra)
- Racaisgeirean
- Rangas
- Righe nam Bàn
- Riobhagan Mhidinis
- Ronay
- Ròsaigh
- Rusgaigh
- Saghaigh Beag
- Saghaigh Mòr
- Sandray
- Sàrstaigh
- Scalpay
- Scarp
- Sgarabaigh
- Sgeir a' Bhuallt
- Sgeir a' Chàil
- Sgeir a' Chàise
- Sgeir a' Cheòthain
- Sgeir a' Chlogaid
- Sgeir a' Chuain
- Sgeir an Daimh
- Sgeir an Fhèidh
- Sgeir an Lèim Mhòir
- Sgeir an Rubha Mhòir
- Sgier Cnoc Easgann
- Sgeir Cruaidh
- Sgeir Dhomhnaill Chaim
- Sgeir Dhubh
- Sgeir Dubh Mòr
- Sgeir Fhadabhig
- Sgeir Fhiaclach Bheag
- Sgeir Fhiaclach Mhòr
- Sgeir Ghlas
- Sgeir Ghobhlach
- Sgeir Hal
- Sgeir Liath
- Sgeir Mhic Coma
- Sgeir Mhic Iamain
- Sgeir Mhòr
- Sgeir Mhurain
- Sgeir na Muice
- Sgeir na Parlamaid
- Sgeir na Snàthaid
- Sgeir nam Bàirnichean
- Sgeir nan Uibhein
- Sgeir Oireabhal
- Sgeir Sìne
- Sgeir Tarcall
- Sgeir Urgha
- Sgeirean Fiaclach
- Sgeirean Màs a' Mhill
- Sgeirislum
- Sgeotasaigh
- Shillay
- Siolaigh Beag
- Siolaigh Mòr
- Siusaigh
- Sleicham
- Snuasamul
- Sòdaigh Bheag
- Sòdaigh Mòr
- Solon Mòr
- Solon Beag
- South Uist
- Spleadhairs
- Spuir
- Sròmaigh
- Stangram
- Steisaigh (multiple islands with this name)
- Stiolamair
- Stiughaigh
- Stiughaigh na Leum
- Stulaigh
- Suam
- Sùnam
- Sùnamul
- Sursaigh
- Taigh Iamain
- Taitealach
- Taransay
- Tathanais
- Thamarasaigh
- Theisgeir a-muigh
- Torogaigh (East)
- Torogaigh (West)
- Traillisgeir
- Triallabreac
- Triallabreac Mòr
- Treanaigh
- Uineasan
- Vallay (Bhalaigh in Gaelic)
- Vatersay
- Wiay
-
Standing stone on Barra
-
The 'lazy beds' of Harris
-
Lakes of North Uist
-
Beach on Benbecula
-
Mountains on South Uist
-
Eilean na Cille (at right), Triallabreac and Wiay from the air
St Kilda and Rockall
[edit]-
Soay
-
Rockall
-
Boreray with Stac and Armin (left) and Stac Lee (right)
Coat of arms
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Inverness.png/150px-Inverness.png)
Inverness-shire's coat of arms is blazoned:
- Azure, in sinister chief a stag's head and in dexter chief a bull's head both erased and in base a galley, sails furled, oars in action and flagged, all Or. Beneath the shield is an escrol bearing this motto: Air son Math na Siorrachd.
The galley represents Clan Chattan, who aligned themselves under the banner of Somerled, Lord of the Isles. The stag's head comes from the crest of the Frasers of Lovat, while the bull's head comes from the crest of the MacLeods of that Ilk. The motto is in Gaelic and means "For the Good of the County".
Local government
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e5/Inverness_-_Highland_Council_Headquarters_%28geograph_5000272%29.jpg/220px-Inverness_-_Highland_Council_Headquarters_%28geograph_5000272%29.jpg)
Inverness-shire County Council was originally based at Inverness Castle but moved to new offices in Ardross Street in 1963.[18][19]
1975–1996
[edit]The old county councils were abolished by the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and Scotland was instead governed by a two-tier system of regions and districts. Mainland Inverness-shire was split amongst four districts of the Highland region, whilst the county's territory in the Outer Hebrides was transferred to the Western Isles council area.
- 1. The burgh of Inverness and the Aird and Inverness districts were merged to form the Inverness Local Government district of the Highland region.
- 2. The burgh of Fort William and the Lochaber district were merged with areas from the county of Argyll (the Ardnamurchan district and the electoral divisions of Ballachulish and Kinlochleven) to form the Lochaber district of the Highland region.
- 3. The Skye district was merged with an area from the county of Ross and Cromarty (the South West district) to form the Skye and Lochalsh district of the Highland region.
- 4. The burgh of Kingussie and the Badenoch district were merged with areas from the county of Moray (the burgh of Grantown-on-Spey and the Cromdale district) to form the Badenoch and Strathspey district of the Highland region.
- The Barra, Harris, North Uist, and South Uist districts were merged with areas from the county of Ross and Cromarty (the burgh of Stornoway and Lewis district) to form the Western Isles council area.
Within the Highland region, local government functions were divided between the regional and district councils. For example, education was a regional responsibility, and housing was a district responsibility.
1996–present
[edit]In 1996, under the Local Government, etc (Scotland) Act 1994, the two-tier system was abolished and the Highland region became a unitary council area. In 1998 the Western Isles Council formally changed the English language version of the area's name from Western Isles to Na h-Eileanan an Iar (Scots Gaelic for 'Western Isles'), to be used in both English and Gaelic contexts.[20]
The new unitary Highland Council adopted the areas of the former districts as management areas. Each management area was represented, initially, by area committees consisting of councillors elected from areas (groups of local government wards) corresponding to the management areas, but changes to ward boundaries in 1999 created a mismatch between committee areas and management areas.
In 2007, at the time of further changes to ward boundaries, which created 22 multi-member wards instead of 80 single-member wards, the council created a new management structure, with three new corporate management areas and 16 new ward-level management areas. Also, four of the ward-level management areas, covering the seven wards, were grouped to form an Inverness city (or Inverness and Area) management area.
The total number of Highland councillors is 80, elected by the single transferable vote system of the election, which is designed to produce a form of proportional representation. Wards in the Inverness city area elect 26 of the 34 council members elected from the Inverness, Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey corporate management area.
The city area has the Nairn ward-level management area to the east, the Badenoch and Strathspey ward-level management area to the east and south, the Ross, Skye and Lochaber corporate management area to the south, west and north, and the Moray Firth to the north.
The city area is similar but not identical to the former district of Inverness.
Ward[21] | Description | Seats | Ward-level management area |
---|---|---|---|
Aird and Loch Ness | Includes Loch Ness, the town of Beauly, and the village of Fort Augustus Aird is a former district of the county of Inverness |
4 | City area 1, covering the Aird and Loch Ness ward and a southern portion of the Inverness South ward |
Culloden and Ardersier | Includes the villages of Culloden, Ardersier and Smithton | 4 | City area 4, covering the Culloden and Ardersier ward and a northern portion of the Inverness South ward |
Inverness Central | Includes Dalneigh, Glebe, Haugh, Merkinch and South Kessock areas of urban Inverness | 4 | City area 3, covering the two wards of Inverness Central and Inverness Millburn |
Inverness Millburn | Includes Millburn, Culcabock, Longman and Raigmore areas of urban Inverness | 3 | City area 3, covering the two wards of Inverness Central and Inverness Millburn |
Inverness Ness-side | Includes Drummond, Hilton and Lochardil areas of Inverness, and a more rural area, east of the River Ness | 4 | City area 2, covering the two wards of Inverness Ness-side and Inverness West |
Inverness South | Includes Cradlehall, Inshes and Westhill areas in or near urban Inverness, and the village of Tomatin, on the River Findhorn | 4 | Divided between city area 1, covering the Aird and Loch Ness ward and a southern portion of the Inverness South ward, and city area 4, covering the Culloden and Ardersier ward and a northern portion of the Inverness South ward |
Inverness West | Includes Kinmylies and Scorguie areas of urban Inverness, and a more rural area, west of the River Ness | 3 | City area 2, covering the two wards of Inverness Ness-side and Inverness West |
Civil parishes
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2b/INVERNESS_SHIRE_map.jpg/220px-INVERNESS_SHIRE_map.jpg)
Civil parishes are still used for some statistical purposes, and separate census figures are published for them. As their areas have been largely unchanged since the 19th century this allows for comparison of population figures over an extended period.
In 1854 in Inverness-shire there were 29 civil parishes; 7 part civil parishes; and 5 parliamentary parishes.[22]
- Abernethy and Kincardine
- Alvie
- Ardersier
- Arisaig and Moidart
- Barra
- Boleskine and Abertarff
- Bracadale (on Skye)
- Cawdor part (now in Nairnshire)
- Cromdale, Inverallan and Advie
- Croy, Highland and Dalcross, Highland
- Daviot
- Dunlichity
- Dores
- Duirinish (on Skye)
- Duthil and Rothiemurchus
- Glenelg
- Harris
- Inverness and Bona[23]
- Kilmallie
- Kilmonivaig
- Kilmorack
- Kilmuir (on Skye)
- Kiltarlity and Convinth
- Kingussie and Insh
- Kirkhill
- Laggan or Kinloch Laggan
- Moy and Dalarossie
- North Uist
- Petty
- Portree (on Skye)
- Sleat (on Skye)
- Small Isles
- Snizort (on Skye)
- South Uist
- Strath (on Skye)
- Urquhart and Glenmoriston
- Urray (partly in Ross-shire; moved there in 1891)
Many changes have taken place since the Reformation period:
- North Uist was a union of the ancient parishes of Kilmuir and Sand; South Uist of the parishes of Benbecula, Howmore, and Kilpeter.[24]
- Croy and Dalcross, and Kiltarlity and Convinth, were united c. 1500.[25][26]
- Abernethy and Kincardine, and Urquhart and Glenmoriston, were united at the Reformation.[27] At the same time Petty was formed by the union of the ancient parishes of Petyn and Bracholy (or Brackley).[28]
- Boleskine and Abertarff, and Inverness and Bona, and Daviot and Dunlichity, were united in 1618.[29][30][31] At the same time Kirkhill was formed by a union of the ancient parishes of Wardlaw and Farnua.[32]
- Duthil and Rothiemurchus were united in 1630.[33]
- Small Isles was created from Sleat in 1726; unusually, there was no parish church and the congregation met in the schoolhouse on Eigg.[34] There are some indications that Canna and Kildonan (Eigg) may have been medieval parishes at an earlier date.[35][36]
- At some point in the 19th century Arisaig and Moidart were created out of Ardnamurchan parish (the rest of this parish lay in Argyllshire). Arisaig (aka Kilmorie) and another parish, Eilean Fhianain, were medieval parishes united to Ardnamurchan at the Reformation.[37]
- Portree was created out of parts of Snizort and Kilmuir parishes in 1726.[38]
- Kingussie and Insh, and Moy and Dalarossie, were united at an unknown date.
- Minginish (Skye) was absorbed into Bracadale; Trumpan was absorbed into Duirinish; Uig was absorbed into Snizort;[39] Rodel was absorbed into Harris;[24] Kilmaluoc (Raasay) was absorbed into Snizort or Kilmuir.[40]
Transport
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e2/Barra_Airport_Arrivals_%28geograph_3230484%29.jpg/220px-Barra_Airport_Arrivals_%28geograph_3230484%29.jpg)
The Highland Main Line connects Inverness by rail to Perth to the south, Kyle of Lochalsh to the west, and Thurso/Wick to the north. The West Highland Line connects Fort William to Mallaig. The Inverness to Aberdeen main line also serves Nairn within the Highland Council's area.
The Isle of Skye is connected to the mainland by a bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh in Ross-shire.
Various bus companies serve the larger towns of the county, such as Stagecoach Group and Scottish Citylink. Shiel Buses operate local buses in the Fort William area. Stagecoach operates several bus routes on the Isle of Skye.[41]
Numerous ferries connect the islands of the Outer Hebrides, the Inner Hebrides, and the Scottish Mainland.
There are three airports in the county: Inverness, Benbecula, and Barra. All three operate flights within Scotland, with Inverness also providing flights to other cities in the UK as well as some destinations in Europe. Barra Airport is famous within aviation circles as it is the only airport in the world where scheduled flights use a beach as the runway.[42]
Settlements
[edit]Mainland
[edit]- Abriachan
- The Aird
- Altrua
- Ardersier
- Arisaig
- Aviemore
- Ballifeary
- Balloch
- Balnafettack
- Beauly
- Boat of Garten
- Bught
- Bunree
- Cannich
- Carrbridge
- Clachnaharry
- Cradlehall
- Crown
- Croy
- Culcabock
- Culduthel
- Culloden
- Dalneigh
- Dalwhinnie
- Dores
- Drakies
- Drumnadrochit
- Dulnain Bridge
- Fort Augustus
- Fort William
- Foyers
- Glenelg
- Glenfinnan
- Haugh
- Highbridge
- Hilton
- Holm
- Inchmore
- Insh
- Inshes
- Inverfarigaig
- Invergarry
- Inverie
- Inverlochy
- Invermoriston
- Kiltarlity
- Kilvean
- Kincraig
- Kingussie
- Kinlochmore
- Kinmylies
- Kirkhill
- Laggan, Badenoch
- Laggan, Great Glen
- Leachkin
- Lochailort
- Lochardil
- Longman
- Mallaig
- Merkinch
- Millburn
- Milton of Leys
- Morar
- Moy
- Muir of Ord (shared with Ross-shire)
- Muirtown
- Nethy Bridge
- Newtonmore
- North Ballachulish
- Onich
- Raigmore
- Roybridge
- Scorguie
- Smithton
- South Kessock
- Spean Bridge
- Struy
- Tomatin
- Tomich
- Upper Achintore
- Westhill
Islands
[edit]- Achachork (Skye)
- Aird of Sleat (Skye)
- Allasdale (Barra)
- Amhuinnsuidhe (Harris)
- Ardhasaig (Harris)
- Ardheisker (North Uist)
- Ardmore (Barra)
- Ardvasar (Skye)
- Ardveenish (Barra)
- Armadale (Skye)
- Ashaig (Skye)
- Askernish (South Uist)
- Auratote (South Uist)
- Bail' Iochdrach (Benbecula)
- Baile Glas (Grimsay)
- Balgarva (South Uist)
- Balivanich (Benbecula)
- Bernisdale (Skye)
- Bogach (Barra)
- Bornesketaig (Skye)
- Boreraig (Skye)
- Bornish (South Uist)
- Borreraig (Skye)
- Borrodale (Skye)
- Borsham (Harris)
- Borve (Barra)
- Borve (Harris)
- Borve (Skye)
- Bracadale (Skye)
- Brevig (Barra)
- Broadford (Skye)
- Brogaig (Skye)
- Bualintur (Skye)
- Camastianavaig (Skye)
- Camuscross (Skye)
- Caolas (Vatersay)
- Carbost (Loch Harport, Skye)
- Carbost (Trotternish, Skye)
- Carinish (North Uist)
- Castlebay (Barra)
- Claigan (Skye)
- Cleadale (Eigg)
- Colbost (Skye)
- Daliburgh (South Uist)
- Drumfearn (Skye)
- Drynoch (Skye)
- Dunan (Skye)
- Duntulm (Skye)
- Dunvegan (Skye)
- Eabost (Skye)
- Edinbane (Skye)
- Elgol (Skye)
- Ellishadder (Skye)
- Eynort (Skye)
- Eyre (Skye)
- Fasach (Skye)
- Feorlig (Skye)
- Ferindonald (Skye)
- Fiskavaig (Skye)
- Flashader (Skye)
- Flodigarry (Skye)
- Galmisdale (Eigg)
- Galtrigill (Skye)
- Garafad (Skye)
- Geary (Skye)
- Gedintailor (Skye)
- Gillen (Skye)
- Glendale (Skye)
- Halistra (Skye)
- Harlosh (Skye)
- Heaste (Skye)
- Howmore (South Uist)
- Hushinish (Harris)
- Inverarish (Raasay)
- Iochdar (South Uist)
- Isleornsay (Skye)
- Kensaleyre (Skye)
- Kilaulay (South Uist)
- Kilbride (Skye)
- Kilmaluag (Skye)
- Kilmarie (Skye)
- Kilmore (Skye)
- Kilmuir (Skye)
- Kilvaxter (Skye)
- Kingsburgh (Skye)
- Kyleakin (Skye)
- Kylerhea (Skye)
- Lealt (Skye)
- Leverburgh (Harris)
- Lochboisdale (South Uist)
- Lochmaddy (North Uist)
- Lower Breakish (Skye)
- Luib (Skye)
- Luskentyre (Harris)
- Milovaig (Skye)
- Mugeary (Skye)
- Newtonferry (North Uist)
- Northbay (Barra)
- Nunton (Benbecula)
- Ollach (Skye)
- Ose (Skye)
- Peinachorran (Skye)
- Portnalong (Skye)
- Portree (Skye)
- Ramasaig (Skye)
- Rèinigeadal (Harris)
- Roag (Skye)
- Rodel (Harris)
- Sconser (Skye)
- Skeabost (Skye)
- Sligachan (Skye)
- Staffin (Skye)
- Stoneybridge (South Uist)
- Stein (Skye)
- Sollas (North Uist)
- Struan (Skye)
- Suladale (Skye)
- Talisker (Skye)
- Tarbert (Harris)
- Tarskavaig (Skye)
- Teangue (Skye)
- Tigharry (North Uist)
- Torrin (Skye)
- Totaig (Skye)
- Tote (Skye)
- Treaslane (Skye)
- Trumpan (Skye)
- Uachdar (Benbecula)
- Uig (Duirinish, Skye)
- Uig (Snizort, Skye)
- Uigshader (Skye)
- Ullinish (Skye)
- Upper Breakish (Skye)
- Vatten (Skye)
Parliamentary constituencies
[edit]There was an Inverness-shire constituency of the Parliament of Great Britain (Westminster) from 1708 to 1801 and of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (also at Westminster) from 1801 to 1918. The constituency represented, nominally, the county of Inverness minus the parliamentary burgh of Inverness, which was represented as a component of the Inverness District of Burghs constituency.
In 1918 the county constituency was divided between two new constituencies, the Inverness constituency and the Western Isles constituency. The Inverness constituency included the burgh of Inverness, other components of the district of burghs being divided between the Moray and Nairn constituency and the Ross and Cromarty constituency.
In 1983, eight years after the local government county of Inverness had been divided between the Highland region and the Western Isles council area, three new constituencies were created to cover the Highland region. The region, until 1996, and the unitary Highland council area, 1996 to present, have been covered by three constituencies since then but there were changes to boundaries and names in 1997 and 2005.
In 1999 the areas of the Westminster constituencies became also constituencies of the Scottish Parliament (Holyrood). The boundaries of Scottish Parliament constituencies have not altered since then. The Holyrood constituencies are within the Highlands and Islands electoral region.
Since 1983, Inverness has appeared in the names of Westminster and Holyrood constituencies as tabled below.
Westminster constituencies
[edit]Period | Constituency or constituencies |
---|---|
1983 to 1997 | Inverness, Nairn and Lochaber |
1997 to 2005 | Ross, Skye and Inverness West |
Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber | |
2005 to present | Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey |
Holyrood constituencies
[edit]Period | Constituencies | |
---|---|---|
1999 to present | Ross, Skye and Inverness West | Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber |
2011 to present | Inverness and Nairn | Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Turnock, David (2005). The Historical Geography of Scotland since 1707. Cambridge University Press. p. 19. ISBN 9780521892292. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
- ^ Shaw, Lachlan (1882). The History of the Province of Moray: Volume 1. London / Glasgow: Hamilton, Adams and Co. / Thomas D. Morison. p. 47. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
- ^ Grant, Alexander (2000). "The Province of Ross and the Kingdom of Alba". In Cowan, Edward J.; McDonald, R. Andrew (eds.). Alba: Celtic Scotland in the Middle Ages. East Linton: Tuckwell Press. pp. 98–110. ISBN 1 86232 151 5. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
- ^ Taylor, Alice (2016). The Shape of the State in Medieval Scotland, 1124–1290. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 144, 234–235. ISBN 9780198749202. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- ^ Brown, Keith. "Legislation: final legislation published outwith the parliamentary register, Edinburgh, 11 March 1504". The Records of the Parliament of Scotland to 1707. University of St Andrews. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- ^ Brown, Keith. "Act anent the shire of Ross". The Records of the Parliament of Scotland to 1707. University of St Andrews. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- ^ MacKenzie, George Steuart (1810). A General View of the Agriculture of the Counties of Ross and Cromarty. London: Richard Phillips. pp. 3–4. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- ^ Kennedy, Allan D. (2014). Governing Gaeldom: The Scottish Highlands and the Restoration State, 1660-1688. Brill. pp. 155–156. ISBN 9789004269255. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- ^ Brown, Keith. "Act of the convention of estates of the kingdom of Scotland etc. for a new and voluntary offer to his majesty of £72,000 monthly for the space of twelve months, 23 January 1667". Records of the Parliament of Scotland. University of St Andrews. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
- ^ The Inverness and Elgin County Boundaries Act 1870 (33 & 34 Vict c. 16). 1870. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
- ^ Wakeling, Ann (2012). A Report on Scotland's Rural Past: Easter Aviemore (PDF). North of Scotland Archaeological Service. p. 4. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- ^ Guide to local government in parishes, counties and burghs. Edinburgh: Royal College of Physicians. 1892. pp. xxiii–xxx. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
- ^ "Preparing for the elections in Scotland". The County Council Magazine. London: F. Warne and Company. 1890. p. 284. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
- ^ "The County Councils: Inverness-shire". Northern Chronicle. Inverness. 28 May 1890. p. 6. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Inverness Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court, including Police Station and boundary wall, Castle Wynd, Castle Hill, Inverness (LB35166)". Retrieved 22 December 2022.
- ^ Shennan, Hay (1892). Boundaries of counties and parishes in Scotland as settled by the Boundary Commissioners under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889. Edinburgh: W. Green. p. 141. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- ^ "Inverness Burgh". A Vision of Britain through Time. GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
- ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Ardross Street, Highland Regional Council Buildings (LB35144)". Retrieved 18 July 2021.
- ^ "Highland Council Headquarters". Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
- ^ "Historical information from 1973 onwards". Boundary-Line support. Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ "Your Ward". Highland Council website. Retrieved 8 April 2008.
- ^ Revd John Marius Wilson, ed. (1854). The Imperial gazetteer of Scotland. Vol. 2 (Gordon – Zetland). Edinburgh: A. Fullarton. p. 137. OL 14014352M.
- ^ "Abertarff House, Church Street, Inverness". ambaile.org.uk. Archived from the original on 20 January 2013.
- ^ a b "List of parishes" (PDF). Scottish Place-Name Society.
- ^ GENUKI. "Genuki: Croy, Inverness-shire". www.genuki.org.uk. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ "History - Kiltarlity Church". Kiltarlity and Kirkhill Church. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ "Urquhart & Glenmoriston, Inverness-shire, Scotland Genealogy". FamilySearch Wiki. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ "Petty, Inverness-shire, Scotland Genealogy". FamilySearch Wiki. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ "Boleskine". www.cushnieent.com. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ "Antiquarian Notes, Historical, Genealogical and Social on Inverness shire". electricscotland.com. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ GENUKI. "Genuki: Daviot, Inverness-shire". www.genuki.org.uk. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ "Kirkhill, Inverness-shire, Scotland Genealogy". FamilySearch Wiki. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ "Duthil & Rothiemurcas, Inverness-shire, Scotland Genealogy". FamilySearch Wiki. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ "Small Isles, Inverness-shire, Scotland Genealogy". FamilySearch Wiki. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ "Eigg, Kildonnan, St Donnan's Church And Burial-ground | Canmore". canmore.org.uk. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "Canna, A' Chill, St Columba's Chapel | Canmore". canmore.org.uk. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "Saints in Scottish Place-Names - Eilean Fhianain, former parish, Arisaig & Moidart". saintsplaces.gla.ac.uk. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "Parish of Portree from The Gazetteer for Scotland". www.scottish-places.info. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "Saints in Scottish Place-Names - St Conan's Church, Uig, Snizort (Skye)". saintsplaces.gla.ac.uk. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "Saints in Scottish Place-Names - Raasay, former parish, (aka Kilmaluoc) Portree". saintsplaces.gla.ac.uk. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "Stagecoach North Scotland - Isle of Skye". Retrieved 23 June 2019.
- ^ "Barra Airport". Highlands and Islands Airports Limited. Archived from the original on 22 March 2009. Retrieved 6 April 2009.
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