History of Argyll in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 6, 2025

Argyll, also known as Argyllshire, is a former historic county and registration county located in western Scotland. It was discontinued for local government use in 1975, with the majority of its area now incorporated into the Argyll and Bute council area.

1925: Council Buys Argyll Hotel

In 1925, the council bought the former Argyll Hotel at 5 Lochnell Street for £2,700, converting it to become their offices. The hotel had been built in 1887, and was renamed County Offices.

1950: Argyllshire Constituency Renamed Argyll

In 1950, The Argyllshire constituency of the Parliament of the United Kingdom was renamed Argyll.

1975: Building Becomes Sub-Regional Office

After the county council's abolition in 1975, the building at 5 Lochnell Street became the sub-regional office of Strathclyde Regional Council, being renamed "Dalriada House", whilst the new Argyll and Bute District Council established its headquarters at nearby Kilmory Castle.

1975: County Ceases for Local Government

In 1975, Argyll ceased to be used as a county for local government purposes, with the area primarily becoming part of the larger Argyll and Bute council area.

1975: Argyll's inclusion in Argyll and Bute district

In 1975, Argyll ceased to be used for local government purposes and was included in the Argyll and Bute district of the Strathclyde region. Some areas were transferred to the Highland region.

1975: Argyll County Council Abolished

In 1975, Argyll had a county council which was abolished and Argyll ceased to be used for local government purposes.

1975: Argyll's Area Split Between Highland and Strathclyde Regions

In 1975, Argyll was abolished as a county for local government purposes and its area was split between Highland and Strathclyde Regions. A local government district called Argyll and Bute was formed in the Strathclyde region, including most of Argyll and the adjacent Isle of Bute.

1983: Argyll and Bute Constituency Created

In 1983, The Argyll and Bute constituency was created when the Argyll constituency was abolished.

1996: Argyll and Bute Becomes a Single-Tier Council Area

In 1996, Further reforms abolished the Strathclyde region and made Argyll and Bute a single-tier council area instead. Argyll and Bute also gained an area around Helensburgh which had historically been in Dunbartonshire.

1996: Argyll and Bute New Council Area

In 1996, a new unitary council area of Argyll and Bute was created, with a change in boundaries to include part of the former Strathclyde district of Dumbarton. The historic county boundaries of Argyll are still used for some limited official purposes connected with land registration, being a registration county.

1996: Argyll areas remain in Highland following revision

In 1996, the Ardnamurchan, Ardgour, Ballachulish, Duror, Glencoe, Kinlochleven, and Morvern areas of Argyll remained in Highland following the 1996 revision.