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{{see also|Banffshire (UK Parliament constituency)}}
{{See also|Banffshire (UK Parliament constituency)}}
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'''Banffshire''' {{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|æ|n|f|ʃ|ər}}; {{lang-sco|Coontie o Banffshire}}; {{lang-gd|Siorrachd Bhanbh}}) is a [[Historic counties of Scotland|historic county]], [[registration county]]<ref>[http://www.ros.gov.uk/public/publications/leaflets.html Registers of Scotland. Publications, leaflets, Land Register Counties] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130707023808/http://www.ros.gov.uk/public/publications/leaflets.html |date=7 July 2013 }}.</ref> and [[lieutenancy area]] of [[Scotland]]. The [[county town]] is [[Banff, Scotland|Banff]], although the largest settlement is [[Buckie]] to the west. It borders the [[Moray Firth]] to the north, [[County of Moray|Morayshire]] and [[Inverness-shire]] to the west, and [[Aberdeenshire (historic)|Aberdeenshire]] to the east and south.
'''Banffshire''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|æ|n|f|ʃ|ər}}; {{langx|sco|Coontie o Banffshire}}; {{langx|gd|Siorrachd Bhanbh}}) is a [[Shires of Scotland|historic county]] in [[Scotland]]. The [[county town]] is [[Banff, Scotland|Banff]], although the largest settlement is [[Buckie]] to the west. The historic county ceased to be used for local government purposes in 1975. Since 1996 the area has been split between the [[Aberdeenshire]] and [[Moray]] [[council areas of Scotland|council areas]]. The historic county boundaries of Banffshire are still used for certain functions, being a [[registration county]] and [[lieutenancy area]].


It borders the [[Moray Firth]] to the north, [[County of Moray|Moray]] and [[Inverness-shire]] to the west, and [[Aberdeenshire (historic)|Aberdeenshire]] to the east and south.
==Local government council==
Between 1890 and 1975 the County of Banff, also known as Banffshire, had its own [[county council]]. In 1975 Banffshire was abolished for the purpose of local government and its territory divided between the local government districts of [[Moray]] and [[Banff and Buchan]], which lay within the [[Grampian]] region. In 1996, the Grampian region was abolished, and the area now lies within the [[Subdivisions of Scotland|council areas]] of [[Moray]] and [[Aberdeenshire]] (note that both these polities have different boundaries to the historic counties of the same names).

==Geography==
[[File:View to Ben Rinnes - geograph.org.uk - 1339405.jpg|thumb|right|Ben Rinnes]]
Banffshire consists of a 30-mile segment of coast along the [[Moray Firth]] from [[Spey Bay]] to [[Cullaykhan Bay]], the immediate hinterland, plus a long, tapering 'tail' stretching inland some 55 or so miles, thus giving the county a rather odd, elongated shape. The coastal section is fairly flat, with a large numbers of bays and headlands (the most notable of these being - from west to east - [[Craig Head]], [[Long Head]], [[Cullen, Moray|Cullen Bay]], [[Logan Head]], [[Crathie Point]], [[Sandend Bay]], [[Links Bay]], [[Strathmarchin Bay]], [[Cowhythe Bay]], [[Boyne Bay]], [[Whyntie Head]], [[Knock Head]], [[Boyndie Bay]], [[Banff Bay]], [[Head of Garness]], [[More Head]], [[Gamrie Bay]], [[Troup Head]], [[Downie Bay]] and [[Cullykhan Bay]]. Some small islands lie off the coast, such as [[West Muck]], [[East Muck]], [[Craigenroan]] and the [[Collie Rocks]]. The interior is generally hilly, rising to the [[Cairngorms]] in the far south, where the highest peak in the county and second highest in Scotland ([[Ben Macdui|Ben Macdhui]]) can be found on the border with Aberdeenshire. The county's largest lochs are also located in the far south, such as [[Loch Avon]], [[Dubh Lochan]], [[Lochan a' Bhainne]], [[Lochan nan Gabhar]] and [[Loch Builg]]. The main rivers are the [[Deveron]], [[River Spey|Spey]], [[River Isla, Moray|Isla]], [[Aven (Banffshire)|Aven]], [[Fiddich]], [[Ailnach]] and [[Livet (river)|Livet]].


==History==
==History==
Considerable evidence of [[prehistory|prehistoric]] human habitation exists in the area, particularly near the coast. Examples include the [[cairn]] at [[Longman Hill]] and [[Cairn Lee]], near the [[Burn of Myrehouse]].<ref>United Kingdom Ordnance Survey Map 1:50,000 (2004)</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/11228/longman_hill.html#fieldnotes |title=Longman Hill (Long Barrow) &#124; UK |publisher=The Modern Antiquarian.com |date=1924-12-24 |access-date=2012-11-12}}</ref>
[[File:Cullen Castle, Banffshire.jpg|thumb|left|Cullen House, Banffshire]]
Considerable evidence of [[prehistory|prehistoric]] human habitation exists particularly near the [[coast]]al area. For example, the [[Longman Hill]] [[cairn]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/11228/longman_hill.html#fieldnotes |title=Longman Hill (Long Barrow) &#124; UK |publisher=The Modern Antiquarian.com |date=1924-12-24 |access-date=2012-11-12}}</ref> and [[Cairn Lee]] are situated in the northern portion of Banffshire in the vicinity of the [[Burn of Myrehouse]].<ref>United Kingdom Ordnance Survey Map 1:50,000 (2004)</ref>


[[File:Cullen Castle, Banffshire.jpg|thumb|left|[[Cullen House]]]]
Located in the area are the ruins of several medieval castles and the 12th century [[kirk]] of [[Gamrie]].
The area also includes the ruins of several medieval castles and the 12th century [[kirk]] of [[Gamrie]].


Banffshire's origins as a [[shires of Scotland|shire]] (the area administered by a [[Sheriff principal|sheriff]]) are obscure. There is some evidence that it was a shire from the time of [[David I of Scotland|David I]] (reigned 1124–1153), but the earliest documented [[Sheriff of Banff]] was in the 13th century.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cramond |first1=William |title=The Annals of Banff, Volume 2 |date=1893 |publisher=New Spalding Club |location=Aberdeen |page=329 |url=https://www.tradeshouselibrary.org/uploads/4/7/7/2/47723681/the_annals_of_banff_~_1893.pdf |access-date=20 August 2024}}</ref>
The region remained largely [[Roman Catholic]] after the [[Protestant Reformation|Reformation]] (16th century) and suffered greatly in the ensuing struggles.{{citation needed|date=May 2019}}


The sheriff's jurisdiction covered a number of [[provincial lordships]] which then existed between the larger [[Provinces of Scotland|provinces]] of [[Province of Moray|Moray]] to the west and [[Buchan]] to the east. The lordships included [[Boyne Castle|Boyne]] and [[Earl of Enzie|Enzie]] on the coast, plus the inland areas of [[Strathisla]] and several small lordships along the eastern side of the [[strath]] of the [[River Spey]] and its tributaries, including [[Glenlivet]], [[Stratha'an|Strathavon]] and [[Glenfiddich]]. The shire was long and thin; the main towns were generally in the wider part to the north near the coast, but the shire had a long, more sparsely populated, tail extending some {{convert|50|miles|km}} along the Spey into the [[Grampian Mountains]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Chalmers |first1=George |title=Caledonia |date=1894 |publisher=Alexander Gardner |location=Paisley |pages=237–240 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0Dg6AQAAMAAJ&dq=chalmers%20caledonia&pg=PA237 |access-date=20 August 2024}}</ref>
During the [[Wars of the Three Kingdoms]] (17th century), Banffshire was a [[Cavalier|Royalist]] stronghold.{{citation needed|date=May 2019}}


The boundaries of the older provinces were not always firmly defined, and some of the smaller provincial lordships were sometimes deemed to be subordinate to a larger province. Banffshire was sometimes said to include parts of the provinces of Moray and Buchan.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Shaw |first1=Lachlan |title=The History of the Province of Moray: Volume 1 |date=1882 |publisher=Hamilton, Adams & Co / Thomas D. Morrison |location=London and Glasgow |page=47 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lpJJAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA47 |access-date=20 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Chalmers |first1=George |title=Caledonia: Volume 7 |date=1894 |publisher=Alexander Gardner |location=Paisley |page=214 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0Dg6AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA214 |access-date=20 August 2024}}</ref>
Until 1891 the county contained various [[exclave]]s which were locally situated in Aberdeenshire, the biggest being the parish and village of [[St. Fergus]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/relationships.jsp?u_id=10203880&c_id=10107260 |title=St Fergus through time &#124; Census tables with data for the Scottish Parish |publisher=Visionofbritain.org.uk |access-date=2012-11-12}}</ref>

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 1707|Acts of Union]] in 1707, the English term 'county' came to be used interchangeably with the older term 'shire'.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=Keith |title=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 |url=http://www.rps.ac.uk/trans/1667/1/10 |website=Records of the Parliament of Scotland |publisher=University of St Andrews |access-date=25 February 2023}}</ref>

[[File:Sheriff Court House (geograph 4095159).jpg|thumb|left|[[Banff Sheriff Court]]: Meeting place of Banffshire County Council 1890–1975]]
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). Banffshire County Council held its first meeting on 22 May 1890 at [[Banff Sheriff Court]], the county's main courthouse (built 1871) which also served as the meeting place for the commissioners.<ref>{{cite news |title=Banffshire County Council |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/search-newspapers |access-date=20 August 2024 |work=Banffshire Advertiser |date=29 May 1890 |location=Buckie |page=3}}</ref><ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num= LB22039|desc= Banff Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court, including boundary walls and railings, Low Street, Banff |access-date=4 December 2022}}</ref>

The 1889 Act also led to a review of boundaries, with [[exclave]]s 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 Banffshire. Prior to these boundary changes Banffshire included four detached parts surrounded by Aberdeenshire, the largest of which was the parish of [[St Fergus]], and several parishes straddled the county boundaries. The boundary changes all took effect on 15 May 1891.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Shennan |first1=Hay |title=Boundaries of counties and parishes in Scotland as settled by the Boundary Commissioners under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889 |date=1892 |publisher=W. Green |location=Edinburgh |page=159 |url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_meygAAAAMAAJ/page/n195/mode/2up |access-date=20 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/relationships.jsp?u_id=10203880&c_id=10107260 |title=St Fergus through time &#124; Census tables with data for the Scottish Parish |publisher=Visionofbritain.org.uk |access-date=2012-11-12}}</ref>

The county council initially established its offices at 8 Low Street, opposite the sheriff court. In 1934 it bought St Leonard's House on Sandyhill Road in Banff, converting that to be its main offices instead. Council meetings continued to be held at the sheriff court.<ref>{{cite news |title=County Offices for Banffshire |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/search-newspapers |access-date=12 August 2024 |work=Aberdeen Press and Journal |date=13 November 1934 |page=5}}</ref><ref>{{Canmore|num=172722|desc=Banff, Sandyhill Road, St Leonard's House|fewer-links=yes| access-date=12 August 2024}}</ref>

In 1975 the [[Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973]] reorganised local government in Scotland into a two-tier system of regions and districts. Banffshire was all included within the [[Grampian]] region, but the old county was split between two of the lower-tier districts. The north-east of Banffshire, including the town of Banff, went to the [[Banff and Buchan]] district. The west and south of Banffshire went to the new [[Moray]] district.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973|year=1973|chapter=65|accessdate=17 April 2023}}</ref>

In 1996 the Scottish local government system was reorganised again, this time into single-tier [[Council areas of Scotland|council areas]]. The Moray district became one of the new council areas, whilst the Banff and Buchan district merged with [[Gordon (district)|Gordon]] and [[Kincardine and Deeside]] to become the new [[Aberdeenshire]] council area. The modern council areas of Moray and Aberdeenshire therefore cover different areas to the historic counties after which they are named.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994|year=1994|chapter=39|accessdate=17 April 2023}}</ref>

The boundaries of the pre-1975 county of Banffshire are still used for some limited official purposes connected with land registration, being a [[registration county]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ros.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/14921/LandMassCoverageReport2015-proofed.pdf |title=Land Mass Coverage Report |publisher=Registers of Scotland |access-date=2015-05-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232505/https://www.ros.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/14921/LandMassCoverageReport2015-proofed.pdf |archive-date=3 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The pre-1975 county of Banffshire also serves as a lieutenancy area.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Lord-Lieutenants (Scotland) Order 1996|year=1996|number=731|access-date=3 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Lieutenancy of Banffshire |url=https://www.lordlieutenantbanffshire.co.uk/ |access-date=20 August 2024}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:View to Ben Rinnes - geograph.org.uk - 1339405.jpg|thumb|right|[[Ben Rinnes]]]]
Banffshire consists of a 30-mile stretch of coast along the [[Moray Firth]] from [[Spey Bay]] to [[Cullykhan Castle|Cullykhan Bay]], the immediate hinterland, plus a long, tapering 'tail' stretching inland some 55 or so miles, thus giving the county an elongated shape.


==Civil parishes==
==Civil parishes==
{{further|List of civil parishes in Scotland}}
[[File:BANFFSHIRE Civil Parish map.jpg|thumb|Banffshire civil parish map c. 1854]]
[[File:BANFFSHIRE Civil Parish map.jpg|thumb|Banffshire civil parish map c. 1854]]
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 of time.
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 of time.


From 1845 to 1930, parishes formed part of the [[local government]] system of Scotland, having parochial boards from 1845 to 1894.
From 1845 to 1930, parishes formed part of the [[local government]] system of Scotland, having parochial boards from 1845 to 1894 and parish councils from 1894 to 1930. Following the boundary changes of 1891, there were 21 parishes in Banffshire:<ref>{{cite web |title=Quarter-inch Administrative Areas Maps: Scotland, sheet 5, 1969 |url=https://maps.nls.uk/view/222075470 |website=National Library of Scotland |publisher=Ordnance Survey |access-date=20 August 2024}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
*[[Aberlour]] (included burgh of [[Charlestown of Aberlour]], commonly known as Aberlour)
# [[Aberlour]]
# Alvah
*Alvah
# [[Banff, Aberdeenshire|Banff]]
*[[Banff, Aberdeenshire|Banff]] (included burgh of same name)
*[[Boharm]]
# Bellie (probably now all in Moray)
*[[Drummuir|Botriphnie]]
# [[Boharm]]
*[[Boyndie]]
# Botriphnie [[Drummuir]]
# [[Boyndie]]
*[[Cabrach]]
*[[Cullen, Moray|Cullen]] (included burgh of same name)
# [[Cabrach]]
*[[Deskford]]
# [[Cullen, Moray|Cullen]]
*[[Fordyce, Aberdeenshire|Fordyce]] (included burgh of [[Portsoy]])
# [[Deskford]]
*[[Forglen House|Forglen]]
# [[Fordyce, Aberdeenshire|Fordyce]]
*[[Gamrie]] (included burgh of [[Macduff, Aberdeenshire|Macduff]])
# Forglen
*[[Grange, Moray|Grange]]
# [[Gamrie]]
*[[Inveravon, Moray|Inveravon]]
# Glass<ref>The Imperial gazetteer of Scotland (1854) of Scotland (1854) by Rev. [[John Marius Wilson]] https://archive.org/stream/imperialgazettee01wils#page/791/mode/1up</ref>
*[[Inverkeithny]]
# [[Grange, Moray|Grange]]
*[[Keith, Moray|Keith]] (included burgh of same name)
# Inveraven or Inveravon
*[[Kirkmichael, Moray|Kirkmichael]]
# [[Inverkeithny]]
*Marnoch (included burgh of [[Aberchirder]])
# [[Keith, Moray|Keith]]
*[[Mortlach Parish Church|Mortlach]] (included burgh of [[Dufftown]])
# Kirkmichael (possibly all in Banffshire){{clarify|date=August 2013}}
*Ordiquhill
# Marlach or Marnoch
*[[Rathven]] (included burghs of [[Buckie]], [[Findochty]], and [[Portknockie]])
# Mortlach ([[Mortlach distillery]])
# [[Rathven]]
*[[Rothiemay]]
# Rothiemay [[Milltown of Rothiemay]]
# Rothnie
# Ontiquhill or Ordiquhill
{{div col end}}{{clear}}
{{div col end}}{{clear}}


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*[[Aberchirder]]
*[[Aberchirder]]
*[[Banff, Aberdeenshire|Banff]]
*[[Banff, Aberdeenshire|Banff]]
*[[Bogmuir]]
*[[Buckie]]
*[[Buckie]]
*[[Charlestown of Aberlour]]
*[[Charlestown of Aberlour]]
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*[[Ianstown]]
*[[Ianstown]]
*[[Keith, Moray|Keith]]
*[[Keith, Moray|Keith]]
*[[Kirktown of Alvah]]
*[[Kirktown of Mortlach]]
*[[Ladysbridge, Banffshire|Ladysbridge]]
*[[Lintmill]]
*[[Macduff, Aberdeenshire|Macduff]]
*[[Macduff, Aberdeenshire|Macduff]]
*[[Marypark]]
*[[Marypark]]
*[[Milltown of Rothiemay]]
*[[Milltown of Rothiemay]]
*[[Newmill, Banffshire|Newmill]]
*[[Newmill]]
*[[Portessie]]
*[[Portessie]]
*[[Portgordon]]
*[[Portgordon]]
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*Park
*Park
*Scuth{{Clear}}
*Scuth{{Clear}}

==Flag==
{{main|Flag of Banffshire}}
In 2023, the [[Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire]] organised a competition to design a flag for the county. The winning design is gold, white and blue, and represents rivers, bridges, whisky barrels and the sunset.<ref name="northernscot">{{cite web |url=https://www.northern-scot.co.uk/banffshire-flag/ |title=We want you to vote on Banffshire flag designs |author= |date=27 June 2023 |work=The Northern Scot |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Banffshire Flag Competition |url=https://www.lordlieutenantbanffshire.co.uk/the-banffshire-flag |website=The Lieutenancy of Banffshire |access-date=20 August 2024}}</ref>


==Notable residents==
==Notable residents==
* [[James Abercrombie (general)|James Abercromby]], (1706-1781), born in [[Glassaugh]], [[British Empire|British]] general in the French and Indian War.<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896">{{cite book | title = Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896 | publisher = Marquis Who's Who | location = Chicago | year = 1963}}</ref>
* [[James Abercrombie (general)|James Abercromby]], (1706–1781), born at Glassaugh House, Fordyce, [[British Empire|British]] general in the French and Indian War<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896">{{cite book | title = Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607–1896 | publisher = Marquis Who's Who | location = Chicago | year = 1963}}</ref>
* [[Francis George Cumming]] (1861–1941), salvation army officer, chaplain, social worker and probation officer<ref name="DNZB Cumming">{{DNZB|title=Francis George Cumming|first= Gordon|last= Parry|id=3c43|accessdate=23 April 2017}}</ref>
* Captain [[George Duff]] RN (c. 1 February 1764 – 21 October 1805) was a British naval officer during the American War of Independence, the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars, who was killed by a cannonball at the Battle of Trafalgar. Born in Banff
* Captain [[George Duff]] (c. 1 February 1764 – 21 October 1805) was a [[Royal Navy]] officer during the [[American War of Independence]], the [[French Revolutionary Wars]] and the [[Napoleonic Wars]], who was killed by a cannonball at the [[Battle of Trafalgar]]. Born in Banff
* [[James Ferguson (1710–1776)|James Ferguson]], [[Fellow of the Royal Society|FRS]] (1710-1776), born Rothiemay, astronomer and instrument maker.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www2.royalsociety.org/DServe/dserve.exe?dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqCmd=Show.tcl&dsqDb=Persons&dsqPos=0&dsqSearch=(Surname%3D'ferguson')|title = Library and Archive Catalog|publisher = The Royal Society|access-date = 21 July 2010}}{{Dead link|date=October 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* [[James Ferguson (1710–1776)|James Ferguson]] (1710–1776), born Rothiemay, astronomer and instrument maker<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www2.royalsociety.org/DServe/dserve.exe?dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqCmd=Show.tcl&dsqDb=Persons&dsqPos=0&dsqSearch=(Surname%3D'ferguson')|title = Library and Archive Catalog|publisher = The Royal Society|access-date = 21 July 2010}}{{Dead link|date=October 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* [[George Gauld (surveyor)]]
* [[George Gauld (surveyor)]]
* [[James Grant (Scottish bishop)|James Grant]] (1706–1778) [[Roman Catholic priest]] who served as an underground missionary on the Isle of [[Barra]] and later as the [[vicar apostolic]] of the [[Vicariate Apostolic of the Lowland District|Lowland District]] of Scotland
* [[Saint John Ogilvie]], (1579-1615), born in [[Keith, Moray|Keith]] was a Scottish Catholic martyr.
* [[Saint John Ogilvie]], (1579–1615), born in [[Keith, Moray|Keith]] was a Scottish Catholic martyr.
* [[George Stephen, 1st Baron Mount Stephen]] 1829-1921 Canadian railway executive who named [[Banff, Alberta]] after his birthplace; [[Banff National Park]] and [[Banff Springs Hotel]] are linked to Stephen back to Banffshire
* [[George Stephen, 1st Baron Mount Stephen]], 1829–1921, Canadian railway executive who named [[Banff, Alberta]], after his birthplace; [[Banff National Park]] and [[Banff Springs Hotel]] are linked to Stephen back to Banffshire.

==Surnames==
Most common surnames in Banffshire at the time of the [[United Kingdom Census 1881|United Kingdom Census of 1881]]:<ref name="banffshire1881">{{cite web|url=http://forebears.co.uk/scotland/banffshire#surnames|title=Banffshire Genealogy Resources & Parish Registers|access-date=4 February 2017}}</ref>

# [[Smith (surname)|Smith]]
# [[Grant (name)|Grant]]
# [[Wilson (name)|Wilson]]
# Reid
# [[Watt (surname)|Watt]]
# [[Stuart (name)|Stuart]]
# [[Morrison (surname)|Morrison]]
# [[Murray (surname)|Murray]]
# [[Cowie (surname)|Cowie]]
# [[Macdonald|McDonald]]


==See also==
==See also==
Line 240: Line 240:


{{Scotland counties}}
{{Scotland counties}}
{{Authority control}}
{{coord|57|30|N|3|05|W|region:GB_type:adm2nd_source:GNS-enwiki|display=title}}
{{coord|57|30|N|3|05|W|region:GB_type:adm2nd_source:GNS-enwiki|display=title}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}


[[Category:Banffshire| ]]
[[Category:Banffshire| ]]

Latest revision as of 15:56, 8 November 2024

See also: Banffshire (UK Parliament constituency)

Banffshire
Historic county
Flag of Banffshire
Flag
CountryScotland
County townBanff
Area
 • Total
641 sq mi (1,660 km2)
 Ranked 13th of 34
Chapman code
BAN
Websitewww.lordlieutenantbanffshire.co.uk

Banffshire (/ˈbænfʃər/; Scots: Coontie o Banffshire; Scottish Gaelic: Siorrachd Bhanbh) is a historic county in Scotland. The county town is Banff, although the largest settlement is Buckie to the west. The historic county ceased to be used for local government purposes in 1975. Since 1996 the area has been split between the Aberdeenshire and Moray council areas. The historic county boundaries of Banffshire are still used for certain functions, being a registration county and lieutenancy area.

It borders the Moray Firth to the north, Moray and Inverness-shire to the west, and Aberdeenshire to the east and south.

History

[edit]

Considerable evidence of prehistoric human habitation exists in the area, particularly near the coast. Examples include the cairn at Longman Hill and Cairn Lee, near the Burn of Myrehouse.[1][2]

Cullen House

The area also includes the ruins of several medieval castles and the 12th century kirk of Gamrie.

Banffshire's origins as a shire (the area administered by a sheriff) are obscure. There is some evidence that it was a shire from the time of David I (reigned 1124–1153), but the earliest documented Sheriff of Banff was in the 13th century.[3]

The sheriff's jurisdiction covered a number of provincial lordships which then existed between the larger provinces of Moray to the west and Buchan to the east. The lordships included Boyne and Enzie on the coast, plus the inland areas of Strathisla and several small lordships along the eastern side of the strath of the River Spey and its tributaries, including Glenlivet, Strathavon and Glenfiddich. The shire was long and thin; the main towns were generally in the wider part to the north near the coast, but the shire had a long, more sparsely populated, tail extending some 50 miles (80 km) along the Spey into the Grampian Mountains.[4]

The boundaries of the older provinces were not always firmly defined, and some of the smaller provincial lordships were sometimes deemed to be subordinate to a larger province. Banffshire was sometimes said to include parts of the provinces of Moray and Buchan.[5][6]

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'.[7]

Banff Sheriff Court: Meeting place of Banffshire County Council 1890–1975

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). Banffshire County Council held its first meeting on 22 May 1890 at Banff Sheriff Court, the county's main courthouse (built 1871) which also served as the meeting place for the commissioners.[8][9]

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 Banffshire. Prior to these boundary changes Banffshire included four detached parts surrounded by Aberdeenshire, the largest of which was the parish of St Fergus, and several parishes straddled the county boundaries. The boundary changes all took effect on 15 May 1891.[10][11]

The county council initially established its offices at 8 Low Street, opposite the sheriff court. In 1934 it bought St Leonard's House on Sandyhill Road in Banff, converting that to be its main offices instead. Council meetings continued to be held at the sheriff court.[12][13]

In 1975 the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 reorganised local government in Scotland into a two-tier system of regions and districts. Banffshire was all included within the Grampian region, but the old county was split between two of the lower-tier districts. The north-east of Banffshire, including the town of Banff, went to the Banff and Buchan district. The west and south of Banffshire went to the new Moray district.[14]

In 1996 the Scottish local government system was reorganised again, this time into single-tier council areas. The Moray district became one of the new council areas, whilst the Banff and Buchan district merged with Gordon and Kincardine and Deeside to become the new Aberdeenshire council area. The modern council areas of Moray and Aberdeenshire therefore cover different areas to the historic counties after which they are named.[15]

The boundaries of the pre-1975 county of Banffshire are still used for some limited official purposes connected with land registration, being a registration county.[16] The pre-1975 county of Banffshire also serves as a lieutenancy area.[17][18]

Geography

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Ben Rinnes

Banffshire consists of a 30-mile stretch of coast along the Moray Firth from Spey Bay to Cullykhan Bay, the immediate hinterland, plus a long, tapering 'tail' stretching inland some 55 or so miles, thus giving the county an elongated shape.

Civil parishes

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Further information: List of civil parishes in Scotland
Banffshire civil parish map c. 1854

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 of time.

From 1845 to 1930, parishes formed part of the local government system of Scotland, having parochial boards from 1845 to 1894 and parish councils from 1894 to 1930. Following the boundary changes of 1891, there were 21 parishes in Banffshire:[19]

Settlements

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Banff
Buckie
Dufftown
Gardenstown

Transport

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The Aberdeen–Inverness railway line runs through the town of Keith in the north of the county.

Architecture

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Principal mansions

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Principal mansions in Banffshire c. 1854 The Imperial Gazetteer of Scotland (1854) Vol. I. by the Rev. John Marius Wilson[20] lists the following :

  • Auchintoul
  • Auchlunkart House (A. Steuart)
  • Balveny Castle or Balvenie Castle
  • Cairfield House (John Gordon)
  • Cullen House (Earl of Seafield)
  • Duff House
  • Edingight House (Major A.F. Innes Taylor)
  • Forglen House and Birkenbog (Sir Robert Abercrombie)
  • Gordon Castle (Duke of Richmond)
  • Letterfourie (Sir William Gordon)
  • Mayen House (William Duff)
  • Mount-coffer House (Earl of Fife)
  • Park House (Colonel Thomas Gordon)
  • Rothiemay

Castles in Banffshire

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Fordyce Castle, Banffshire
  • Auchindune Auchindoun Castle
  • Balveny or Balvenie
  • Banff
  • Cullen (near Cullen) [21]
  • Deskford
  • Edinglassie
  • Findochty
  • Galval or Gouldwell Castle (Boharm Civil Parish)
  • Grange
  • Inchdrewer, Banff Parish
  • Park
  • Scuth

Flag

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Main article: Flag of Banffshire

In 2023, the Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire organised a competition to design a flag for the county. The winning design is gold, white and blue, and represents rivers, bridges, whisky barrels and the sunset.[22][23]

Notable residents

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ United Kingdom Ordnance Survey Map 1:50,000 (2004)
  2. ^ "Longman Hill (Long Barrow) | UK". The Modern Antiquarian.com. 24 December 1924. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
  3. ^ Cramond, William (1893). The Annals of Banff, Volume 2 (PDF). Aberdeen: New Spalding Club. p. 329. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  4. ^ Chalmers, George (1894). Caledonia. Paisley: Alexander Gardner. pp. 237–240. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  5. ^ Shaw, Lachlan (1882). The History of the Province of Moray: Volume 1. London and Glasgow: Hamilton, Adams & Co / Thomas D. Morrison. p. 47. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  6. ^ Chalmers, George (1894). Caledonia: Volume 7. Paisley: Alexander Gardner. p. 214. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ "Banffshire County Council". Banffshire Advertiser. Buckie. 29 May 1890. p. 3. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  9. ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Banff Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court, including boundary walls and railings, Low Street, Banff (LB22039)". Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  10. ^ 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. 159. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  11. ^ "St Fergus through time | Census tables with data for the Scottish Parish". Visionofbritain.org.uk. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
  12. ^ "County Offices for Banffshire". Aberdeen Press and Journal. 13 November 1934. p. 5. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  13. ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Banff, Sandyhill Road, St Leonard's House (172722)". Canmore. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  14. ^ "Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 1973 c. 65, retrieved 17 April 2023
  15. ^ "Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 1994 c. 39, retrieved 17 April 2023
  16. ^ "Land Mass Coverage Report" (PDF). Registers of Scotland. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  17. ^ "The Lord-Lieutenants (Scotland) Order 1996", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 1996/731, retrieved 3 August 2024
  18. ^ "The Lieutenancy of Banffshire". Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  19. ^ "Quarter-inch Administrative Areas Maps: Scotland, sheet 5, 1969". National Library of Scotland. Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  20. ^ The Imperial gazetteer of Scotland (1854). Vol I. by Rev. John Marius Wilson p.130
  21. ^ "History of Deskford Castle by Cullen & Deskford Church of Scotland". Retrieved 4 February 2017.
  22. ^ "We want you to vote on Banffshire flag designs". The Northern Scot. 27 June 2023. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  23. ^ "The Banffshire Flag Competition". The Lieutenancy of Banffshire. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  24. ^ Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607–1896. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who. 1963.
  25. ^ Parry, Gordon. "Francis George Cumming". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  26. ^ "Library and Archive Catalog". The Royal Society. Retrieved 21 July 2010.[permanent dead link‍]
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