Topographical, statistical, and historical gazetteer of Scotland > Volume 1

INTRODUCTION. XXX1U
than 1,040. The following table gives the names of the shires in the order of their size,
beginning with the largest, and states the ancient names, whether of subdivisional or of
co-extensive application.
Shires. Ancient Names.
Inverness ...Lochaber, Badenoeo, Moidart,. Arisaig, Morer,. Knoydart, Glenelg, Strathglass, aaid
parts of Moray, Strathspey, and Ross, besides Skye, and other Hebridean islands.
Argyle, ., Cowal, Kintyre, Knapdale, Lorn, including Appin, Kingarloch, Ardnainurchan,
Suinart, Lochiel, Glenorehy, Morvern, and Ardgower, besides Mull, Isla, Jura,
and other Hebridean islands.
Perth, Perth, Stormont, Strathearn, Gowrie, Athole, Breadalbane, Monteith, Glenshiel,
Rannoch, Balquidder.
Ross, East-Ross, Aid-Ross, Kintail, Lochalsh, Kishorn, Toridon, Gairloch, Lochbroom,
Strathcarron, and Black Isle, besides Lewis, and other Hebridean islands.
Aberdeen, Mar, Buehan, Garioch, Formartin, Strathbogie.
Sutherland .....Sutherland, Strathnaver, Assynt,. Edderachylis, and Lord Reay's country.
Dumfries ...Nithsdale, Annandale, Eskdale, and Ewisdale.
Ayr .......Cunningham, Kyle, and Carrick.
Lanark, Clydesdale.
Forfar Angus, including Glenisla, Glenesk, and Glenprosen.
Orkney ...Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands.
Kirkcudbright, East-Galloway..
Caithness...... Caithness.
Roxburgh Teviotdale and Liddesdale.
Banff,... Strathdeveron, Boyne, Enzie, Balveny, and Strathaven,
Stirling,... Stirling, and part of Lennox.
Fife, Fife and Forthryfe.
Berwick........... Merse, Lammermoor, and Lauderdale.
Elgin, Central part of Moray, and part of Strathspey.
V>"igton, West Galloway..
Kincardine,... Mearns.
Edinburgh, Mid-Lothian..
Peebles,.. ..Tweeddale.
Haddington, East-Lothian .
Selkirk, .... Ettrick Forest..
Cromarty, Ross.
Dumbarton, Lennox.
Renfrew,.. Strathgryfe, and part of Lennox.
Nairn, Moray, &c.
Bute, Bute, Arran, &c.
Linlithgow, West-Lothian.
Kinross...... Part of Forthryfe, ? p.^
Clackmannan, ...Strathdevon, \
CONSTITUTION.
Till the reign of James I., all persons who held any portion of ground, however small,
by military service of the Crown, had seats in the Scottish parliament. The small
barons were afterwards excused from attendance, and represented by "two or more wise
men, according to the extent of their courr 1 ^." Parliament appointed the time of its
own meetings and adjournments ; nominated committees to wield its powers during
recesses ; possessed not only a legislative but an executive character ; exercised a
commanding power in all matters of government ; appropriated the public money, and
appointed the treasurers of the exchequer ; levied armies, and nominated commanders ;
sent ambassadors to foreign states, and appointed the judges and courts of judicature ;
and even assumed power to alienate the regal demesne, to restrain grants from the
Crown, and to issue pardons to criminals. The king, even so late as in the person of
James IV.., was only the first servant of his people, and had his duty prescribed by par-
liament ; he had no veto in the parliament's proceedings ; nor could he declare war,
make peace, or conduct any important business of either diplomacy or government,
without that assembly's concurrence. The constitution of the country partook much
more the character of an aristocracy than that of a limited monarchy. The nobility —
who were dukes, marquises, earls, viscounts, and barons^were hereditary members of
parliament ; but they formed one house with the knights and burgesses, and occupied
common ground with them in all deliberations and decisive votes. The nobles and other
members of parliament were checked in their turn by the common barons, just as they
checked the king ; and even the common barons, or the landholders, were, to a large,
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