Royal burgh

A Royal Burgh is a type of Scottish town or city (burgh).

Related Topics:
Scottish - Town - City - Burgh

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Most royal burghs were sea ports, and each was either created by the crown, or upgraded from another status, such as burgh of barony. An important document for each burgh was its burgh charter, creating the burgh or confirming the rights of the burgh as laid down (perhaps verbally) by a previous monarch. Each royal burgh (with the exception of four 'ineffective burghs') was represented in the Scottish parliament and could appoint magistrates with wide powers in civil and criminal justice. By 1707 there were 70 royal burghs.

Related Topics:
Burgh of barony - Charter - Monarch - Scottish parliament - Magistrates - Criminal justice - 1707

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Today the title has no official status, burghs themselves ceasing to exist after local government reorganisation in 1975. However most towns use the title ceremonially.

Related Topics:
Local government - 1975

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See:

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• List of UK place names with royal patronage