A council area in Scotland is an area made for local government. There is a total of 32 council areas in Scotland. They are all governed by unitary authorities called "councils". The council areas were created on 1 April 1996, under the provisions of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994. The Act calls them local authority areas but most people call them council areas.

The council areas have the option of being known as a comhairle when choosing to go by a Gaelic name. However, only Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar (Council of the Western Isles) has chosen this option, while the Highland Council (Comhairle na Gaidhealtachd) uses both an English name and a Gaelic name.

The Highland Council is the local government covering the Highland local authority. It was created in 1995. There are 21 wards, each electing three or four councillors by the single transferable vote system. There are 74 councillors. The main meeting place and main offices are at the Highland Council Headquarters in Glenurquhart Road, Inverness.

No political party has had a majority of the councillors since 2007.

Before 1995 there was a regional council and eight district councils. They were set up in 1973 by the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Scotland’s local government plays a vital role in the everyday lives of its people. From bin collections to schools, roads to planning applications, and libraries to leisure centres — it’s your local council that keeps things ticking over.

The current system of local government was established in 1996, when the old two-tier system of regions and districts was replaced with 32 unitary authorities, or council areas. Each council is responsible for providing a wide range of services within its area and is run by elected councillors. These councils vary significantly in size and population — from the sprawling Highlands to compact Clackmannanshire — but they all share the same core responsibilities.

Scotland’s local government has evolved over the centuries, shaped by royal burghs, parish kirk sessions, and Victorian-era reformers. The big shake-up came in the 20th century, especially in 1975 when regional councils were first introduced, followed by the 1996 reorganisation that gave them the structure as it is known today.

Although national matters are handled at Holyrood or Westminster, it’s often your local council making the decisions that affect you day-to-day — from funding community groups to maintaining parks, and even determining how frequently your recycling is picked up.

Local government in Scotland is organised through 32 unitary authorities designated as councils, which consist of councillors elected every five years by registered voters in each of the council areas.

COSLA

Scottish councils co-operate through, and are represented collectively by, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA).

https://www.cosla.gov.uk/

Held to be the voice of Local Government in Scotland. COSLA was established in 1975. COSLA stands up for Scotland’s local priorities, going back 800 years when they evolved from the Convention of Royal Burghs; once the oldest representative body in Europe.

LOCAL AUTHORITY COUNCILS

https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/

Aberdeen City Council – Marischal College, Aberdeen AB10 1AB

https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/

Aberdeenshire Council – Woodhill House, Westburn Road, Aberdeen AB16 5GB

https://www.angus.gov.uk/

Angus Council – Angus House, Orchardbank Business Park, Forfar DD8 1AN

https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/

Argyll & Bute Council – Kilmory, Lochgilphead PA31 8RT

https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/

The City of Edinburgh Council – City Chambers, High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1YJ

https://www.clacks.gov.uk/

Clackmannanshire Council – Kilncraigs, Alloa, Clackmannanshire, FK10 1EB

https://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar – Sandwick Road, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis HS1 2BW

https://www.dumgal.gov.uk/

Dumfries and Galloway Council – Council HQ, English Street, Dumfries, DG1 2DD

https://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/

Dundee City Council – Dundee House, 50 North Lindsay Street, Dundee DD1 1QE

https://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/

East Ayrshire Council – Council Headquarters, London Road, Kilmarnock KA3 7BU</p><p><a 

https://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/

East Dunbartonshire Council – 12 Strathkelvin Place. Kirkintilloch G66 1TJ

https://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/

East Lothian Council – John Muir House, Brewery Park, Haddington EH41 3HA

https://www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/

East Renfrewshire Council – Eastwood Park, Rouken Glen Road, Giffnock G46 6UG

https://www.falkirk.gov.uk/

Falkirk Council – Municipal Buildings, West Bridge Street, Falkirk FK1 5RS

https://www.fife.gov.uk/

Fife Council – Fife House, North Street, Glenrothes KY7 5LT

https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/

Glasgow City Council – City Chambers, Glasgow G2 1DU

https://www.highland.gov.uk/

The Highland Council – Glenurquhart Road, Inverness IV3 5NX

https://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/

Inverclyde Council – Municipal Buildings, Clyde Square, Greenock PA15 1LY

https://www.midlothian.gov.uk/

Midlothian Council – 40-46 Buccleuch Street, Dalkeith EH22 1DN

http://www.moray.gov.uk/

Moray Council – High Street, Elgin IV30 1BX

https://www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/

North Ayrshire Council – Cunninghame House, Irvine KA12 8EE

https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/

North Lanarkshire Council – Civic Centre, Windmillhill Street, Motherwell ML1 1AB

https://www.orkney.gov.uk/

Orkney Islands Council – School Place, Kirkwall, Orkney KW15 1NY

https://www.pkc.gov.uk/

Perth and Kinross Council – Pullar House, 35 Kinnoull Street, Perth PH1 5GD

http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/

Renfrewshire Council – Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley PA1 1WB

https://www.scotborders.gov.uk/

Scottish Borders Council – Council Headquarters, Newtown St Boswells TD6 0SA

https://www.shetland.gov.uk/

Shetland Islands Council – Town Hall, Lerwick, Shetland ZE1 0HB

https://south-ayrshire.gov.uk/

South Ayrshire Council – County Buildings, Wellington Square, Ayr KA7 1DR

https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/

South Lanarkshire Council – Almada Street,&nbsp;Hamilton ML3 0AA

https://www.stirling.gov.uk/

Stirling Council – Viewforth, 14-20 Pitt Terrace, Stirling FK8 2ET

https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/

West Dumbartonshire Council – 16 Church Street16 Church Street, Dumbarton, G82 1QL

https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/

West Lothian Council – Howden South Road, Livingston EH54 6FF

REWARDS - After a long drive, you may build up a thirst that needs quenching. Whatever your favourite tipple, we'll be there to toast your success and celebrate with the award of a Blue Riband. Sponsors are invited for each geographical event.

CANNONBALL RUN CAST

CANNONBALL WORLD CUP TROPHY

The drivers, or as appropriate, team or company name, will be added to the appropriate national Cannonball Trophy. 

https://www.gov.scot/publications/local-authority-maps-of-scotland/

The Cannonball Cup trophy & The Cannonball Run Blue Ribband eco medal