Stewartry facts for kids

Stewartry was a special area in south-west Scotland. It was a local government district from 1975 to 1996. This district was part of the larger Dumfries and Galloway region. Today, the area is still known as the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright for some official purposes. For example, it is used as a lieutenancy area. The Dumfries and Galloway Council also has a special committee for the Stewartry area. This committee covers almost the same land as the old district. The name "Stewartry" comes from the historic county of Kirkcudbrightshire. This county was also called the "Stewartry of Kirkcudbright."

History of Stewartry

Stewartry district was created on May 16, 1975. This happened because of a law called the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. This law changed how local government worked across Scotland. It set up two main levels of government. There were larger areas called regions and smaller areas called districts.

Forming the District

Stewartry was one of four districts created within the Dumfries and Galloway region. The district covered most of the old area of Kirkcudbrightshire. However, some parts of Kirkcudbrightshire went to other districts. For example, the areas of Kirkmabreck and Minnigaff went to Wigtown district. Also, the areas of Kirkbean, Kirkpatrick Irongray, New Abbey, Terregles, and Troqueer went to Nithsdale.

Why the Name "Stewartry"?

The name "Stewartry" comes from the old name for Kirkcudbrightshire. It was called the "Stewartry of Kirkcudbright." This name shows that the area was once managed by a "steward." A steward was a special official. This was different from other areas that were managed by a "sheriff."

Stewartry's Role in Lieutenancy

For official "lieutenancy" duties, the person in charge of Kirkcudbrightshire became the person in charge of the new Stewartry district. This change happened in 1975. A lord-lieutenant is a representative of the monarch in a county or area.

Changes in 1996

More changes to local government happened in 1996. A new law, the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994, ended the four districts in Dumfries and Galloway. The Dumfries and Galloway Council then took over all their jobs.

Today, the council still uses the old Stewartry district area. It is the basis for an area committee. There are also committees for the other old districts: Annandale and Eskdale, Nithsdale, and Wigtown. The old district area is also still used for lieutenancy purposes. It is known as the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright lieutenancy area.

Who Was in Charge?

The first election for the Stewartry district council was in 1974. The council officially started its work on May 16, 1975. For all the years the council existed, most of the people in charge were independent. This means they did not belong to a specific political party.

Where the Council Met

The County Buildings in Kirkcudbright, where the Stewartry District Council met.

The Stewartry District Council was based in Kirkcudbright. Their main office was in a building called the County Buildings. This building is at 121–123 High Street. It was originally two houses from the late 1700s. A large addition was built in 1952 at the back. Before Stewartry District Council, this building was the main office for the Kirkcudbrightshire County Council. After the district council closed in 1996, the building became an office for the Dumfries and Galloway Council.

See also

• Subdivisions of Scotland
• Lord Lieutenant of Kirkcudbright