Records of the Royal Burgh of Banff
- Reference:GB 228 AS/Bbnf
- Former Reference:GB 228 BH4
- Dates of Creation:1372 - 1975
- Name of Creator:
- Language of Material:English
- Physical Description:c. 12 linear metres (145 volumes, 2 files, 82 bundles, 313 documents, 1 object, 3 plans)
Scope and Content
This collection consists of the following series of records:
AS/Bbnf/1 Town Council Minute Books 1740 - 1975
AS/Bbnf/2 Town Council Scroll Minute Books 1825 - 1920
AS/Bbnf/3 Police Commissioners Minute Books 1880 - 1900
AS/Bbnf/4 Police Commissioners Scroll Minute Book 1880 - 1900
AS/Bbnf/5 Town Council Committee Minutes And Reports 1901 - 1929
AS/Bbnf/6 Head Court And Bailie Court Books 1649 - 1974
AS/Bbnf/7 Dean Of Guild Court Records 1954 - 1974
AS/Bbnf/8 Police Court 1841 - 1975
AS/Bbnf/9 Sasine Minute Books 1768 - 1826
AS/Bbnf/10 Registers of Deeds, Contracts, Charters, Grants, and Privileges 1662 - 1971
AS/Bbnf/11 Accounts, Ledgers, and Financial Records 1777 - 1973
AS/Bbnf/12 Records of Trusts, Bequests, and Public Bodies 1834 - 1974
AS/Bbnf/13 Town Council Maps and Plans 1770 - 1913
AS/Bbnf/14 Records of Banff Harbour Trust 1811 - 1964
AS/Bbnf/15 Correspondence 1810 - 953
AS/Bbnf/16 Police Commissioners' Records 1833 - 1897
AS/Bbnf/17 Education Records 1827 - 1849
AS/Bbnf/18 Charters and Legal Papers 1372 - 1967
AS/Bbnf/19 Other Burgh Records 1831 - 1974
AS/Bbnf/20 Records of Duff House Trust 1906 - 1975
AS/Bbnf/21 Miscellaneous Banff records not created by the Burgh Council 1838 - 1967
Administrative / Biographical History
Banff was probably created a Royal Burgh by King William the Lion between 1189 and 1198; there is a charter of confirmation from King Robert II in 1372.
Banff was created a police burgh in the mid-nineteenth century under the terms of the General Police and Improvement (Scotland) Act, 1862 (25 and 26 Vict., c.101). Burgh administration was carried out by police commissioners who were responsible for the cleansing, lighting, policing and public health of the burgh. One of the main industries in the town is now tourism. Under the terms of the Town Councils (Scotland) Act, 1900 (63 and 64 Vict., c.49) the police commissioners were replaced by Banff Town Council in January 1901.
Banff Town Council was abolished in 1975 under the terms of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1973 (c.65). Its powers were assumed by Grampian Regional Council and Banff and Buchan District Council. These in turn were replaced by Aberdeenshire Council in 1996 under the terms of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1994 (c.39).
Access Information
Open
Open for consultation at Old Aberdeen House, open Mon-Wed 9:30-12:30 and 13:30-16:30. It is advisable to make an appointment.
Other Finding Aids
Please see the Aberdeen City & Aberdeenshire Archives catalogue at https://archives.aberdeencity.gov.uk/CalmView/
Custodial History
Deposited with Grampian Regional Archives by Banff & Buchan District Council, 1976. Additional material transferred to the archive from Moray District Record Office (such records can be identified by Moray District references in the Alt Ref No field).
Related Material
The National Records of Scotland hold some material relating to the Royal Burgh of Banff:
B7/1. Protocol Books 1611 - 1680
B7/2. Register of Sasines (1st Series) 1623 - 1809
B7/3. Register of Sasines (1st Series) - Minute Book 1805-1809
B7/4. Register of Sasines (2nd Series) 1810-1942
B7/5. Register of Sasines (2nd Series) - Minute Books 1810-1942
B7/6. Presentment Book 1900-1942
B7/7. Register of Bonds 1684 - 1717
B7/8. Register of Deeds, Protests, etc 1811 - 1847
B7/9. Dean of Guild Court Book 1730 - 1767
Subjects