Banffshire (/ˈbænfʃər/; Scots: Coontie o Banffshire; Scottish Gaelic: Siorrachd Bhanbh) is a historic county, registration county[1] and lieutenancy areaofScotland. The county townisBanff, although the largest settlement is Buckie to the west. It borders the Moray Firth to the north, Morayshire and Inverness-shire to the west, and Aberdeenshire to the east and south.
Banffshire
| |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country | Scotland |
| County town | Banff |
| Area | |
| • Total | 641 sq mi (1,660 km2) |
| Ranked 13th of 34 | |
| Chapman code |
BAN
|
| Website | https://www.lordlieutenantbanffshire.co.uk/ |
Between 1890 and 1975 the County of Banff, also known as Banffshire, had its own county council. Banffshire County Council was based at the Sheriff Court and County Hall.[2]
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 council areasofMoray and Aberdeenshire (note that both these polities have different boundaries to the historic counties of the same names).
Banffshire consists of a 30-mile stretch of coast along the Moray Firth from Spey BaytoCullaykhan Bay, the immediate hinterland, plus a long, tapering 'tail' stretching inland some 55 or so miles, thus giving the county an elongated shape.
Considerable evidence of prehistoric human habitation exists particularly near the coastal area. For example, the Longman Hill cairn[3] and Cairn Lee are situated in the northern portion of Banffshire in the vicinity of the Burn of Myrehouse.[4]
Located in the area are the ruins of several medieval castles and the 12th century kirkofGamrie.
Until 1891 the county contained various exclaves which were locally situated in Aberdeenshire, the biggest being the parish and village of St. Fergus.[5]
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.
The Aberdeen–Inverness railway line runs through the town of Keith in the north of the county.
Principal mansions in Banffshire c. 1854 The Imperial Gazetteer of Scotland (1854) Vol. I. by the Rev. John Marius Wilson[7] lists the following :
Most common surnames in Banffshire at the time of the United Kingdom Census of 1881:[12]
