Notes on individual County Populations

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Notes on Individual County Populations.— The following notes refer to the populations of the individual counties, and of the burghs and parishes (inclusive of burghs) situated therein:—

ABERDEEN.—The population of this County is 300,430, and is 586 or 0.2 per cent. less than the population returned in 1921. Aberdeen remains the third most populous County in Scotland. The total burghal population is 193,014, which is 5,533 or 28 per cent. less than in 1921, and the total landward population is 107,416, which is 6,119 or 5.4 per cent. less. Burghs: Aberdeen (Aberdeen County portion) shews an increase of 7,212, but this is more than counterbalanced by decreases amounting to 7,798 elsewhere in the County. Five of the burghs shew decreases, including one of 344 or 22.3 per cent. in Ballater, and one of 188 or 14.8 per cent. in Rosehearty—the former being affected by the holiday inflation of population at the date of the 1921 Census. Parishes: Of the 83 parishes (inclusive of burghs) 16 shew increases and 67 decreases. Increases of over 7 per cent. occur in Peterculter, New Machar, and Newhills, and decreases of 15 per cent. and over occur in 13 parishes, the largest decrease being one of 20.4 per cent. in Kildrummy.

ANGUS.— The population of Angus is 270,190, of whom 122,616 are males and 147,574 females. The population of the County is 862 or 0.3 per cent. less than in 1921. The total burghal population is 231,030, which is 2,527 or 1.l per cent. more than in 1921, while the landward population is 39,160, which is 3,389 or 8.0 per cent. less. Burghs: Dundee with a population of 175,583, of whom 78,801 were males and 96,782 females, shews an increase of 7,268, but this is counterbalanced by decreases amounting to 8,130 in other burghs and in the landward of the County. Six of the burghs shew decreases, the most marked being one of 1,151 or 19.3 per cent. in Carnoustie and one of 1,859 or 9.5 per cent. in Arbroath, the population of which is now 17,637. Parishes: Only 12 out of the 53 parishes in the County shew an increase of population, and of these Ruthven, Oathlaw and Murroes have increased by over 10 per cent. Seven parishes, some of which were in part affected by the holiday inflation in 1921, shew decreases of over 15 per cent. The largest decrease is in Lochlee, viz. 29.8 per cent.

ARGYLL.—The population of Argyll is found to be 63,014, which is 13,848 less than it was at the Census of 1921, and 7,888 less than at that of 1911. If allowance be made for the presence of 1,839 men of the Royal Navy at the date of the 1911 Census, the difference between the 1911 and the 1931 populations is reduced to 6,049. Next to that of 44.2 per cent. recorded in the case of the County of Bute, the decrease in the population of ArgyIl is larger than that of any other county. There is no doubt that this is accounted for to some extent at least by the large holiday population present at the 1921 Census. The burghal population of Argyll numbers 23,048 and is 7,073 or 23.5 per cent. less than in 1921, and the landward population is 39,966, which is 6,785 or 14.5 per cent. less. Burghs: The only burghal increase recorded is a small one of 35 in Lochgilphead. The other five burghs in the County each shew a decrease which in the case of the holiday resort of Dunoon amounts to the abnormal one of 5,951 or 40.4 per cent. In Tobermory the decrease amounts to 9.3 per cent. and in Oban to 9.2 per cent. Parishes: In only two of the 28 mainland parishes do increases of population occur, viz, one of 23.5 per cent. in Glenorchy & Inishail (ascribed to the presence of workmen on road construction) and one of 9.8 per cent in Craignish. The 11 insular parishes shew a decrease in every case. Decreases of over 15 per cent. and involving a total of 10,107 persons, occur in 13 of the mainland parishes, the largest being one of 37.4 per cent. in. Dunoon & Kilmun, one of 32.3 per cent. in Kilfinan, one of 27.1 per cent. in Lochgoilhead & Kilmorich, and one of 25.7 per cent. in Inverchaolain. In the 11 insular parishes the total population is 10,758, which is 1,862 or 14.8 per cent. less than in 1921. The largest decreases are in Kilfinichen & Kilvickeon, 22.7 per cent., in Kilchoman 21.0 per cent., and in Jura 17.1 per cent.

AYR.—The population of the County of Ayr is 285,182, which is 14,091 or 4.7 per cent. less than in 1921, though it is 16,845 or 6.3 per cent. more than it was at the Census of 1911. The County now drops from the fourth to the fifth place in order of magnitude of population. Both the total burghal and landward populations shew decreases, the former being 160,213, which is 7,528 or 4.5 per cent. less than in 1921, and the latter 124,969, which is 6,563 or 5.0 per cent. less. Burghs: Of the 16 burghs in the County only five shew an increase of population. Kilmarnock with a population of 38,099 representing an increase of 2,130 or 5.9 per cent. is now the most populous burgh in the County. Ayr with 36,784 shews an increase of 1,021 or 2.9 per cent. The other burghs which have increased are Irvine, Cumnock & Holmhead, and Prestwick. The largest decreases are in the holiday resorts of Largs where the decrease is 3,387 or 35.6 per cent., Girvan with a decrease of 1,980 or 27.2 per cent., and Saltcoats with a decrease of 3,304 or 24.5 per cent. Parishes: Of the 44 parishes in the County, 10 shew intercensal increases, which in the cases of Irvine, Riccarton, Mauchline and Kilmarnock are over 5 per cent. As might be expected the greatest decreases occur in the parishes which at the Census of 1921 were affected by the holiday influx of visitors. In Largs Parish the decrease was 33.0 per cent., in Girvan 28.5 per cent., in Kirkoswald 19.9 per cent., in Ardrossan 16.8 per cent., and in Ballantrae 16.3 per cent.

BANFF.—The population of this County is 54,835, and is 2,463 or 4.3 per cent. less than in 1921. The burghal and landward populations have both declined, the former being 30,007, which is 497 or 1.6 per cent. less than in 1921, and the latter being 24,828, which is 1966 or 7.3 per cent. less. The decrease is thus principally in the landward part of the County. Burghs: Of the 11 burghs, all shew decreases with the exception of Keith, the population of which is 153 or 3.6 per cent. more, and Findochty where it is 29 or 1.8 per cent. more. The decreases include one of 298 or 15.0 per cent. in Cullen and one of 8.9 per cent. in Aberchirder. Parishes: All the parishes in the County shew a decrease with the exception of Keith, the population of which is 110 or 1.8 per cent. more than in 1921. The largest decreases are in Cabrach (28.2 per cent.), Ordiquhill (14.9 per cent.) and Cullen (13.8 per cent.).

BERWICK.—The population of the County of Berwick is 26,601 and is 1,645 or 5.8 per cent. less than in 1921. The burghal population amounts to 5,880, which is 519 or 8.1 per cent. less than in 1921, and the landward population is 20,721, which represents a decrease of 1,126 or 5.2 per cent. Burghs: Each of the four burghs in the County exhibits a decrease of population, the largest being one of 131 or 17.3 per cent. in Lauder, and one of 246 or 9.9 per cent. in Eyemouth, the latter being attributed to the temporary absence of fishermen. Parishes: There are 32 parishes in the County, and all except eight shew a decrease of population. The increases include one of 22.7 per cent. in Cranshaws, one of 53 or 20.9 per cent. in Foulden (attributed to the formation of small holdings in the parish) and one of 12.7 per cent. in Mertoun. The largest decreases occur in Abbey St. Bathans, Channelkirk and Coldingham, the decrease in each case exceeding 15 per cent.

BUTE.—The population of this County is returned at 18,822, which is 14,889 or 44.2 per cent. less than in 1921. Comparison with the 1921 Census returns, however, is vitiated by the fact that at the date of that Census the population of the whole County was inflated out of all proportion by the presence of summer visitors. Compared with the 1911 Census figures as more properly representing normal conditions, the present population of the County, 18,822, shews an increase of 636 or 3.5 per cent. The burghal population is 11,429, which is 516 or 4.7 per cent. more than in 1911, and the landward is 7,393, which. is 120 or 1.6 per cent. more. Burghs: Compared with 1911, Rothesay shews an increase of 47 and Millport one of 469. Parishes: On a similar comparison the Parish of Cumbrae shews an increase of 458, North Bute one of 243 and Kilbride one of 207.

CAITHNESS.—The population of Caithness is 25,656 and is 2,629 or 9.3 per cent. below what it was in 1921. This is one of the largest percentage decreases among the Counties. The burghal population is 10,494, which is 660 or 5.9 per cent. less than in 1921, and the landward 15,162, which is 1,969 or 11.5 per cent. less. Burghs: Each of the burghs shews a decrease of population, Wick one of 567 or 7.0 per cent., and Thurso one of 93 or 3.1 per cent. Parishes: With the exception of Olrig, in which there is a small increase of 15 persons, every parish in the County exhibits a decrease. This decrease is 21.9 per cent. in Canisbay, 15.3 per cent. in Latheron, 12.4 per cent. in Halkirk and 11.2 per cent. in Dunnet.

CLACKMANNAN.—The population of this County is 31,947 and is 595 or 1.8 per cent. less than in 1921. The burghal population amounts to 21,580, and. is 248 or 1.1 per cent. less than in 1921, and the landward population is 10,367, which is 347 or 3.2 per cent. less. Burghs: Alloa shews an increase of 285 or 2.2 per cent., but Alva, Dollar and Tillicoultry shew decreases of 7.0 per cent., 6.3 per cent., and 4.7 per cent. respectively. Parishes: Clackmannan is the only parish exhibiting an increase, one of 8.9 per cent. The largest decrease is one of 7.7 per cent. in the parish of Dollar.

DUMBARTON.—The population of the County of Dumbarton, from which an area (population 291 in 1921) was annexed to the City of Glasgow and County of Lanark in 1926, is 147,751 and is 2,819 or 1.9 per cent. less than at the Census of 1921. The burghal population amounts to 95,229, which is 1,578 or 1.6 per cent. less than in 1921, and the landward population is 1,241 or 2.3 per cent. less. Burghs: Clydebank, the population of which rose from 10,014 in 1891 to 46,506 in 1921, exhibits on its area as extended in 1925 only a small increase of 362 or 0.8 per cent. at the present Census—its population being now 46,963. Kirkintilloch shews an increase of 128 or 1.1 per cent., and Milngavie one of 622 or 14.0 per cent. The burgh of Dumbarton with a population of 21,546 shews a decrease of 1,387 or 6.0 per cent., Helensburgh a decrease of 810 or 8.3 per cent., and Cove & Kilcreggan one of 493 or 34.1 per cent. of its population. Parishes: New Kilpatrick (Dumbartonshire portion) and Kirkintilloch alone shew increases, one of 1801 or 18.4 per cent. in the former and 1,057 or 6.5 per cent. in the latter. The largest decreases are as follows: 25.2 per cent. in Arrochar, 22.8 per cent. in Luss, l9.6 per cent. in Roseneath, and 10.9 per cent. in Rhu—all of which (with the Burghs of Helensburgh and Cove & Kilcreggan) were probably affected more or less by the influx of visitors at the Census of 1921.

DUMFRIES.—The population of the County is 81,060, and allowing for the transfer of the former Burgh of Maxwelltown to the County and Burgh of Dumfries in 1929 is 404 or 0.5 per cent. less than at the Census of 1921. The Burghal population amounts to 36,549, and is 685 or 1.9 per cent. more than in 1921, while the landward population is 44,511, which is 1,089 or 2.4 per cent. less. Burghs: Five of the seven burghs in the County show increases of population, the principal being one of 973 or 4.5 per cent. in Dumfries, the population of which is now 22,795. In two burghs, Moffat and Langholm, decreases are shewn—amounting in the case of the former to 420 or 17.3 per cent. Parishes: Of the 43 Parishes in the County 12 exhibit an increase of population—the largest being 15.9 per cent. in Kirkconnel, 8.5 in Closeburn, and 8.0 in Lochmaben. Increases were also shown in the portions of Terregles and of Troqueer Parishes now in this County. In four parishes, viz. Moffat, Caerlaverock, Canonbie and Durisdeer decreases of population exceeding 13 per cent. are found.

EAST LOTHIAN.—The population is 47,369, which is 118 or 0.2 percent. less than in 1921. The burghal population is 21,989 and is 877 or 3.8 per cent. less than in 1921, while the landward population is 25,380 and is 759 or 3.1 per cent. more than in 1921. Burghs: Of the seven burghs in the County. three show increases, viz. 405 or 20.0 per cent. in Prestonpans, 121 or 15.9 per cent. in East Linton, and 352 or 8.7 per cent. in Haddington. The largest decreases are shewn in North Berwick, viz. 1,118 or 24.4 per cent. (where there was some holiday inflation in 1921), and Cockenzie & Port Seton 312 or 11.0 per cent. Parishes: Of the 24 parishes in the County, Gladsmuir, Prestonpans, Garvald, Prestonkirk, Stenton, Saltoun and Ormiston exhibit increases exceeding 10 per cent., while in Athelstaneford, North Berwick, Spott and Yester there are decreases of 11 per cent. and over—the largest being one of 24.7 per cent. in Athelstaneford, in the population of which in 1921 there were included 599 men of the Royal Navy.

FIFE.—The population of Fife amounts to .276,261, of whom 134,548 are male and 141,713 females. The total population is less than in 1921 by 16,664 or 5.7 per cent. The burghal population is 173,173, which is 10,428 or 5.7 per cent. less than in 1921, and the landward population is 103,088, which is 6,236 or 57 per cent. less. Burghs: The largest burghs in the County are Kirkcaldy, with a population of 43,874, Dunfermline with 34,954, Buckhaven & Methil with 17,643, Cowdenbeath with 12,731 and Lochgelly with 9;297. With the exception of Buckhaven & Methil in which there is an increase of 980 or 5.9 per cent., all shew decreases as follows: Kirkcaldy (including the Burgh of Dysart, annexed in 1930) 424 or 1.0 per cent., Dunfermline 4,945 or 12.4 per cent., Cowdenbeath 1,484 or 10.4 per cent., and Lochgelly 1,369 or 12.8 per cent. Of the other burghs six shew increases, the largest of which are 23.5 per cent. in Markinch and 10.9 per cent. in Cupar. The remainder shew decreases, the largest being found in the holiday resorts of Elie & Earlsferry (51.2 per cent.), Crail (27.6 per cent.), Kinghorn (17.5 per cent.), and St. Andrews (11.4 per cent.), in which at the date of the 1921 Census the population was inflated. Parishes: Of the 60 parishes in the County 13 shew percentage increases, the largest being 25.4 in Culross and 16.5 in Leuchars. Decreases of over 30 per cent. are found in Elie and Aberdour, and over 20 per cent. in Largo, Flisk, Dunbog, Auchtertool, Anstruther-Easter and Crail. The decreases of population in the County are variously ascribed by the local Registrars according to locality as due to the presence of holiday population in 1921, to the condition of the coal industry, and to changed conditions at Rosyth Naval Base.

INVERNESS.—The population of the County of Inverness is found to be 82,082, which is 373 or 0.5 per cent. less than in 1921. The burghal population is 26,176 and is 2,117 or 8.8 per cent. more than in 1921, while the landward population has fallen to 55,906, which is 2,490 or 4.3 per cent. less. Burghs: Inverness chews an increased population of 22,582, which is 1,638 or 7.8 per cent. more than in 1921, and Fort-William a population of 2,527, which is 614 or 32.1 per cent. more than at last Census. Parishes: Eight of the 21 mainland parishes shew increases of population, the most notable of which are in Kilmonivaig (63.6 per cent.), Ardersier (44.7 per cent.), and Kilmallie (39.3 per cent.). In the first and last of these parishes the phenomenal increases are ascribed by the local Registrars to the new aluminium works and to road construction in the neighbourhood. Elsewhere on the mainland, as well as in all of the 12 insular parishes except Bracadale, in which there is an increase of 5l.4 per cent. ascribed to land settlement in the parish, the 1931 population shews a decline. In nine parishes in this county a decrease of over 15 per cent. is found, the largest being one of 45.8 per cent. in Small Isles (attributable to the presence of shipping in 1921), one of 28.3 per cent. in Sleat, one of 21.7 per cent. in Moy & Dalarossie, and one of 20.7 per cent. in Abernethy & Kincardine. The total population of the 12 insular parishes is found to be 24,456, which is 3,468 or 12.4 per cent. less than at last Census.

KINCARDINE.—The population of this County is 39,864 and is 1,915 or 4.6 per cent. less than that of 1921. The burghal population amounts to 20,646 and is 173 more than at last Census, while the landward population is 19,218 and is 2,088 less. Burghs: The increase in the burghal population occurs in the Kincardine portion of Aberdeen, the other four burghs each shewing a decrease which is greatest in Stonehaven, where it amounts to 13.8 per cent. This burgh doubtless shared the holiday influx at last Census. Parishes: With the exception of the portion of Aberdeen Burgh and Parish in this County, and of the Parish of Strachan in which there is an increase of 1 in the population, every parish in the County exhibits a decrease, which in each of the three parishes of Fettercairn, Arbuthnott and Glenbervie amounts to over 15 per cent. of the 1921 population.

KINROSS.—This County has the smallest population of any in Scotland. It amounts to 7,454. Alike in the burgh of Kinross and in each of the five parishes which comprise the County, a decrease of population is shewn. The total decrease in the County is 509 or 6.4 per cent. In the burgh of Kinross the decrease is 4.0 per cent. and in the parishes it is greatest in Portmoak, where it amounts to 13.5 per cent.

KIRKCUDBRIGHT.—The burgh of Maxwelltown with a population of 6,094 at the Census of 1921 was united to the Burgh of Dumfries and transferred to the County of Dumfries in 1929. The population of the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright as it now stands is found to be 30,341 and is 720 or 2.3 per cent. less than the population of the corresponding area in 1921. The burghal population amounts to 9,525, which is 384 or 4.2 per cent. more than in 1921, while the landward population is 20,816 and is 1,104 or 5.0 per cent. less. Burghs: Of the five burghs in this County, Kirkcudbright shews an increase of 210 or 10.0 per cent., and Castle Douglas one of 207 or 7.4 per cent. Decreases of 11.8 per cent. and 0.6 per cent. occur in New Galloway and Gatehouse respectively. Parishes: Seven of the 28 parishes in the County exhibit increases of population, the largest being one of 34.7 per cent. in Terregles (stated to be due to the formation of small holdings), and one of 12.7 per cent. in Balmaclellan. The principal decreases occur in Colvend & Southwick, where it is 21.1 per cent., and in Lochrutton, where it is 19.0 per cent.

LANARK.—This is by far the most populous County in Scotland. Its population numbers 1,585,968 and is 32.8 per cent. or nearly one-third of the total population of the country. Since 1921 the County area has been increased by the inclusion of portions of the Counties of Dumbarton and Renfrew, but the present population of the County compared with that of the corresponding area in 1921 shews an increase of 34,015 or 2.2 per cent. Of the 1,585,968 enumerated, 775,179 are males and 810,789 females, the former shewing an increase of 7,765 or 1.0 per cent., and the latter an increase of 26,250 or 3.3 per cent. as compared with the corresponding numbers in 1921. The excess of females over males amounts to 35,610 as against 17,125 in 1921, and has thus more than doubled. The burghal population numbers 1,292,671 and is 30,867 or 2.4 per cent. more than in 1921, and the landward population is 293,297, which is 3,148 or 1.1 per cent. more. Burghs: Of the eight burghs within the County, Glasgow with a population of 1,088,417 shews an increase of 36,890 or 3.5 per cent. The population of Glasgow amounts to 22.5 per cent, or more than one-fifth of the total population of Scotland. The only other burghal increases are small ones of 495 or 1.9 per cent. in Airdrie and 413 or 1.7 per cent. in Rutherglen. Of the burghs which have lost population Motherwell & Wishaw with a population of 64,708 shews a decrease of 4,161 or 6.0 per cent., Hamilton with 37,863 shews a decrease of 1,641 or 4.2 per cent., and Coatbridge with 43,056 shews a decrease of 863 or 2.0 per cent. Parishes: In the Lanarkshire portions of the parishes of New or East Kilpatrick, Paisley, Cathcart and Renfrew, which are entirely within the burgh of Glasgow, very large intercensal increases of population are recorded, and the same observation applies to the parish of Cadder which is partly within that burgh. The following statement shews the extent of the intercensal change:—

Parish. Population. Increase.
1931. 1921.
New or East Kilpatrick (in Lanark County) 17,319 4,136 13,183
Paisley (Do.) 11,548 5,434 6,114
Renfrew (Do.) 25,550 15,500 10,050
Cathcart (Do.) 58,669 43,498 15,171
Cadder 19,192 15,746 3,446

In contrast with these increases in the outlying areas of the City of Glasgow, the Parish of Glasgow itself shews an increase of only 1,241, the part within the city actually shewing a decrease, while the Parish of Govan, which is practically entirely within the city, shews a decrease of 7,332.

The following five parishes all shew increases of over 10 per cent., viz. Carstairs, Carmichael, Ruthergien, Carmunnock and East Kilbride—the three last-named being parishes on the outskirts of Glasgow. On the other hand, a decrease in each case of over 11 per cent. is shewn in the following 9 parishes: Crawford, Covington, Carnwath, Glassford, Dolphinton, Wandell & Lamington, Crawfordjohn, Stonehouse and Dalserf.

MIDLOTHIAN.—The population of this, the second most populous County in Scotland, is found to be 526,277 and is 19,900 or 3.9 per cent. more than in 1921. Males number 243,428 and females 282,849, the former shewing an increase of 8,488 or 3.6 per cent., and the latter an increase of 11,412 or 4.2 per cent. The females exceed the males by 39,421 on this occasion as against 36,497 at the Census of 1921. The burghal population numbers 474,669 and is 19,835 or 4.4 per cent. more than in 1921, and the landward population is 51,608, which is 0.1 per cent. more. Burghs: Of the six burghs the City of Edinburgh with a population of 438,998 shews an increase of 18,734 or 4.5 per cent. The City embraces more than five-sixths of the population of the entire County. With the exception of Musselburgh, which with a population of 16,996 is the second most populous burgh in the County, all the other burghs shew an increase, which is greatest in Loanhead, where it is 478 or 13.8 per cent. Musselburgh shews a small decrease amounting to 0.7 per cent. Parishes: Of the 23 parishes in the County four, viz. Carrington, Currie, Newbattle and Lasswade, shew in each case an increase of over 13 per cent., while Fala & Soutra, Cranston, West Calder, Mid Calder and Temple each shew a decrease of over 12 per cent.

MORAY.—The population of this County is 40,805 and is 753 or 1.8 per cent. less than in 1921. The burghal population amounts to 21,017 and is 686 or 3.4 per cent. over the 1921 population, but the landward population, which is 19,788, is 1439 or 6.8 per cent. less than in 1921. Burghs: Elgin, the largest of the six burghs in the County has a population of 8,810, which is 1,034 or 13.3 per cent. more than in 1921, and small increases occur in Rothes and Forres. Burghead, Lossiemouth and Grantown-on-Spey on the other hand shew decreases of 9.4 per cent., 6.0 per cent. and 2.8 per cent. respectively. Parishes: Of the 19 parishes Birnie shews an increase of 11.4 per cent., Elgin one of 8.7 per cent. and Spynie one of 5.8 per cent. Knockando, Kinloss, Dallas, and Edinkillie, however, each shew a decrease of population amounting to 12 per cent. and over.

NAIRN.—The population of the County of Nairn amounts to 8,294, which is 496 or 5.6 per cent. less than in 1921. It is the second smallest county population in Scotland. Alike in the burgh of Nairn and in each of the five parishes of the County a decrease of population is recorded. The burgh with a population of 4,201 skews a decrease of 257 or 5.8 per cent., and. the parish of Nairn with a population of 5,282 shews a decrease of 6.0 per cent.

ORKNEY.—The population of Orkney is 22,075 and is 2,036 or 8.4 per cent. less than at the Census of 1921. There is a decline of population not only in the two burghs of Kirkwall and Stromness, but in every parish in the County except Sandwick, where there is a small increase of 19 persons or 2.2 per cent. In the burghs the population has fallen by 4.9 per cent. in Kirkwall and 4.4 per cent. in Stromness. The largest landward decreases occur in the parishes of Roy & Graemsay, South Ronaldshay, Lady, Evie & Rendall, Cross & Burness and Westray. In each case the decrease is over 15 per cent.

PEEBLES.—The population of this County is 15,050 and is 282 or 1.8 per cent. below that of 1921. Burghs: Of the two burghs in the County Peebles with a population of 5,853 shews an increase of 289 or 5.2 per cent., while Innerleithen with a population of 2,359 skews a small decrease of 44 or 1.8 per cent. Parishes: Of the 14 parishes Peebles shews an increase of 295 persons or 4.8 per cent. and there are small numerical increases in Lyne, Drumelzier and Kirkurd. Elsewhere decreases are general, the largest being 19.3 per cent. in Stobo, and 22.5 per cent. in Manor.

PERTH.—The population of this County amounts to 120,772 and is 4,731 or 3.8 per cent. less than in 1921. The burghal population is 58,012, which is 259 or 0.4 per cent. more than in 1921, but the landward population which is 62,760 is 4,990 or 7.4 per cent. less. Burghs: Of the 11 burghs in the County all shew decreases except Perth, the population of which, 34,807, is 1,599 or 4.8 per cent. more than in 1921. The largest numerical decreases are 377 or 6.4 per cent. in Crieff, 302 or 16.l per cent. in Callander, and 250 or 8.5 per cent. in Dunblane. The populations of these burghs doubtless exhibited some holiday inflation at last Census. Parishes: There are 71 parishes in this extensive County and all except 16 shew decreases of population. The principal increases occur in Tibbermore (29.6 per cent.), Lethendy (17.7 per cent.), Kinnoull (14.4 per cent.), St. Martins (11.7 per cent.) and Madderty (10.1 per cent.)—the increases in Kinnoull and. Tibbermore being largely attributable to the increase in the burghal area (Perth) of these parishes. The principal decreases are as follows: Arngask 32.4 per cent., Balquhidder 29.3 per cent., Kirkmichael 28.0 per cent., Forgandenny 25.2 per cent., Logiealmond 22.0 per cent., and Aberdalgie 21.7 per cent.

RENFREW.—The population of this County is 288,575. In 1926 a portion of the County with a 1921 Census population of 12,220 was transferred to the City of Glasgow and County of Lanark. Allowing for this the population of the County of Renfrew at the present Census is 1,891 or 0.7 per cent. more than in 1921, and Renfrew is now the fourth most populous County in Scotland. The burghal population amounts to 233,929 and is 1,458 or 0.6 per cent, less than in. 1921, while the landward population is 54,646, which is 3,349 or 6.5 per cent. more. Burghs: All the four burghs in the former Upper Ward of the County shew an increase of population. The population of Paisley is now 86,441, which is 1,604 or 1.0 per cent. more than in 1921. Barrhead and Johnstone shew an increase of 682 or 5.9 per cent. and 353 or 2.8 per cent. respectively, and Renfrew (including the small portion in Lanark County) shews an increase of 824 or 5.8 per cent. On the other hand, all three burghs in the former Lower Ward exhibit a decrease. The population of Greenock is now 78,948, which is 2,185 or 2.7 per cent. less than in 1921, that of Port-Glasgow is 19,580, which is 1,443 or 6.9 per cent. less, and that of Gourock is 8,844, which is 1,303 or 12.8 per cent. less. Gourock had probably some holiday inflation at the date of the 1921 Census while the decreases in Greenock and Port-Glasgow, like that in Dumbarton and the arrest in the growth of Clydebank, are presumably the result of depression in. the shipbuilding industry. Parishes: Of the 16 parishes in the County nine shew an increase of population. The principal numerical increases occur in Paisley (3,094), Eastwood (1,955), Cathcart (1,853), Mearns (1,254), and Renfrew (783). A portion of each of these parishes, with the exception of Mearns, is included in the City of Glasgow, but the increases here indicated refer to the portions still in Renfrew County. The largest percentage decreases of parish populations are recorded in Inchinnan (27.6 per cent.), Erskine (20.1 per cent.), Eaglesham (14.2 per cent.) and Inverkip (13.3 per cent.).

ROSS and CROMARTY.—The population of this County is now 62,802, and is 8,016 or 11.3 per cent. less than in 1921. The burghal population is 10,837, which is 922 or 7.8 per cent. less than in 1921, and the landward population is 51,965, being 7,094 or 12.0 per cent. less. Burghs: With the exception of Dingwall, which shews an increase of 231 persons, all the burghs have declined in population. The decreases range from 7.6 per cent. in Stornoway to 17.5 per cent. in Invergordon and 25.7 per cent. in Cromarty. Parishes: The decline of population has been general throughout the County. Of the 33 parishes three, viz. Cromarty, Fodderty and Kilmuir-Easter exhibit a decline of over 20 per cent., 9 including Logie-Easter, Rosskeen, Tarbat, Knockbain, Nigg and Uig shew decreases of 15 per cent. and over, while 16 shew decreases up to 10 per cent. In only two parishes in the whole County has there been an increase, viz, one of 212 or 8.3 per cent. in Dingwall, and a small one of 12 persons in Glenshiel. The population of the four insular parishes of the County is now 25,205, which represents a decrease of 3,173 or 11.2 per cent. as compared with 1921.

ROXBURGH.—The population of the County of Roxburgh is found to be 45,787—an increase of 798 or 1.8 per cent. The burghal population, which is now 26,023, has increased by 1,562 or 6.4 per cent., while the landward population, which is 19,764, has fallen by 764 or 3.7 per cent. Burghs: Of the four burghs, Jedburgh shows an increase of 631 or 26.0 per cent., Kelso an increase of 328 or 9.3 per cent., and Hawick one of 706 or 4.3 per cent. The population of Melrose has dropped by 103 or 4.8 per cent. Parishes: Of the 30 parishes in the County only six shew increases. The decreases shewn in the remainder are largest in Yetholm (20.7 per cent.), Stitchel (13.1 per cent.), Bowden (12.1 per cent.), Maxton (11.5 per cent.) and Lilliesleaf (10.7 per cent.).

SELKIRK.—The population of this County is. 22,608, or 1 more than at last Census. Burghs: Galashiels with a population of 13,102 has increased by 156 or 1.2 per cent., while Selkirk with 5,667 exhibits a fall of 108 or 1.9 per cent. Parishes: There is no change of importance in parish populations.

STIRLING.—The population of Stirling County has increased by 4,726 or 2.9 per cent. to 166,447. The burghal population now numbers 86,916, which is 4,902 or 6.0 per cent. more than in 1921, and the landward population 79,531, which is only 176 or 0.2 per cent. less. Burghs: The increased population of the County is largely due to an increase of 2,146 or 6.2 per cent. in Falkirk, the population of which is now 36,565, to one of 1,857 or 18.7 per cent. in Grangemouth, the population of which is 11,798, and to one of 1,248 or 5.8 per cent. in Stirling, the population of which is 22,593. Parishes: The principal increases other than those in the parishes containing the above three burghs are one of 449 or 25.3 per cent. in Airth, and one of 640 or 5.2 per cent. in Larbert. Seven parishes shew decreases of 10 per cent. and upwards. The largest decreases occur in Fintry (26.2 per cent.) and Buchanan (25.1 per cent.).

SUTHERLAND.—The population of this County has decreased by 1,702 or 9.6 per cent., and is now 16,100. The only burgh in the County, viz. Dornoch, with a population of 725, shews a decrease of 43 or 5.6 per cent. There are small increases in the parishes of Clyne. Creich, Lairg and Loth, while the remainder of the 13 parishes in the County show decreases, the largest of which are 23.5 per cent. in Assynt, 17.8 per cent. in Parr, and 15.7 per cent. in Dornoch.

WEST LOTHIAN.—The population of West Lothian is found to be 81,426 and is 2,534 or 3.0 per cent. less than in 1921. The burghal population amounts to 32,950 and is 621 or 1.8 per cent. less than in 1921, and the landward population, which is now 48,476, is 1,913 or 3.8 per cent. less. Burghs: Whitburn is the only burgh which shews an increase, one of 469 or 23.8 per cent. Queensferry shews a decrease of 395 or 18.0 per cent., Bathgate one of 341 or 3.3 per cent., and Linlithgow, with a population of 3,666, one of 214 or 5.5 per cent. Parishes: Three of the 11 parishes shew increases as follows, one of 1,113 or 9.7 per cent. in Whitburn, one of 1,088 or 154.3 per cent. in Ecclesmachan, incidental to the comparatively small number of patients in Bangour Hospital in 1921, and one of 706 or 5.3 per cent. in Bo'ness & Carriden. The principal decreases occur in Dalmeny (29.0 per cent.), in Abercorn (22.5 per cent.), in Kirkliston (West Lothian portion) (13.2 per cent.) and in Uphall (11.0 per cent.).

WIGTOWN.—The population of this County is 29,299 and is 1,484 or 4.8 per cent. less than in 1921. The burghal population is 10,616, which is 315 or 3.1 per cent. more than in 1921, while the landward population which is 18,683 is 1,799 or 8.8 per cent. less. Burghs: Stranraer with a population of 6,490 shews an increase of 352 or 5.7 per cent. and Newton-Stewart one of 83 or 4.5 per cent. Parishes: Of the 17 parishes increases are shewn in the four parishes which include these two burghs, ranging from 0.8 per cent. in Leswalt to 5.4 per cent. in the parish of Inch. The principal decreases are as follows : Portpatrick, doubtless affected by holiday considerations at last Census, 25.8 per cent., Kirkcowan 13.5 per cent., and Kirkinner 13.4 per cent.

ZETLAND.—The population of the County of Zetland numbers 21,410 and is 4,110 or 16.1 per cent. less than in 1921. The only burgh in the County, viz. Lerwick, with a population of 4,221, shows a decrease of 571 or 11.9 per cent., and the landward population, which numbers 17,189, has decreased by 3,539 or 17.1 per cent. Parishes: Every one of the 12 parishes in the County exhibits a decrease of population, and in eight of them the decrease exceeds 15 per cent. The large decrease in Zetland is partly accounted for by the presence in 1921 of fishermen and fishworkers from other areas.

Gaelic-speaking Population.— Table IX shews the number of persons returned in the Census Schedules as able to speak Gaelic, distinguishing between those able to speak Gaelic only, and those able to speak both Gaelic and English.

According to these provisional returns the number of Gaelic speakers in Scotland is 137,149, of whom 7,069 or 0.15 per cent. of the total population of the country speak Gaelic only, and 130,080 or 2.69 per cent. of the population speak both Gaelic and English. Compared with the corresponding returns at the Census of 1921 Gaelic speakers are 21,630 fewer, those able to speak Gaelic only 2,760 fewer, and those able to speak both Gaelic and English 18,870 fewer. The observed decline in these numbers during the last 40 years continues— the number of persons speaking Gaelic only having fallen from 43,738 in 1891, 28,106 in 1901, 18,400 in 1911 and 9,829 in 1921, to 7,069 as above reported. At the same time the number of persons speaking both Gaelic and English has declined from 210,677 in 1891, 202,700 in 1901, 183,998 in 1911, and 148,950 in 1921 to 130,080 at the recent Census. In 1891 speakers of Gaelic numbered 6.32 per cent. of the total population: they now number 2 84 per cent.

The 7,069 speakers of Gaelic only are found mostly in the Counties of Ross and Cromarty with 3,435, Inverness with 3,123 and Argyll with 335. Only 176 are found in other Counties. In Ross and. Cromarty 55.0 per cent. of the population of the County are returned as able to speak Gaelic, in Sutherland 42.2 per cent., in Inverness 42.1 per cent. and in Argyll 33.7 per cent.

National Health Insurance.— The total number of persons in Scotland returned on the Census Schedules as having the right, when ill, to medical benefit under the National Health Insurance Acts is 1,768,936, of whom 1,205,224 are males, and 563,712 females. Of the total population 36.5 per cent. were so returned, the corresponding rate in the male population being 51.8 per cent., and in the female population 22.4 per cent. The distribution of the insured population in the various county and burghal Insurance Areas is shown in Table X.

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