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A royal burgh (/ˈbʌrə/ BURR-ə) was a type of Scottish burgh which had been founded by, or subsequently granted, a royal charter. Although abolished by law in 1975, the term is still used by many former royal burghs.[1]
Most royal burghs were either created by the Crown, or upgraded from another status, such as burgh of barony. As discrete classes of burgh emerged, the royal burghs—originally distinctive because they were on royal lands—acquired a monopoly of foreign trade.
An important document for each burgh was its burgh charter, creating the burgh or confirming the rights of the burgh as laid down (perhaps orally) by a previous monarch. Each royal burgh (with the exception of four 'inactive burghs') was represented in the Parliament of Scotland and could appoint bailies with wide powers in civil and criminal justice.[2] By 1707 there were 70 royal burghs.
| Royal Burghs (Scotland) Act 1833 | |
|---|---|
| Act of Parliament | |
 | |
| Long title | An Act to alter and amend the Laws for the Election of the Magistrates and Councils of the Royal Burghs in Scotland. |
| Citation | 3 & 4 Will. 4. c. 76 |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 28 August 1833 |
| Other legislation | |
| Amended by | Statute Law Revision Act 1874 |
The Royal Burghs (Scotland) Act 1833 (3 & 4 Will. 4. c. 76) reformed the election of the town councils that governed royal burghs. Those qualified to vote in parliamentary elections under the Reform Act 1832 were now entitled to elect burgh councillors.
- ^ Select Committee on Privileges Second Report, September 1999
- ^ George S Pryde, The Burghs of Scotland: A Critical List, Oxford, 1965. The four inactive burghs were Auchtermuchty, Earlsferry, Falkland and Newburgh