Editing Scottish Borders (section)

==History==
The term [[Border country|Borders]] sometimes has a wider use, referring to all of the [[Counties of Scotland|counties]] adjoining the English border, also including [[Dumfriesshire]] and [[Kirkcudbrightshire]], as well as [[Northumberland]], [[Cumberland, England|Cumberland]] and [[Westmorland]] in England.

[[Roxburghshire]] and [[Berwickshire]] historically bore the brunt of the conflicts with England, both during declared wars such as the [[Wars of Scottish Independence]], and armed raids which took place in the times of the [[Border Reivers]]. During this period, at the western end of the border there was a strip of country, called the "Debatable Land", because the possession of it was a constant source of contention between England and Scotland until its boundaries were adjusted in 1552.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=245}} Thus, across the region are to be seen the ruins of many castles, abbeys and even towns. The only other important conflict belongs to the [[Covenanters]]' time, when the [[James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose|marquess of Montrose]] was defeated at the [[Battle of Philiphaugh]] in 1645. Partly for defence and partly to overawe the [[Filibuster (military)|freebooters]] and [[moss-trooper]]s who were a perpetual threat until they were suppressed later in the 17th century, castles were erected at various points on both sides of the border.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=246}}

From early on, the two sovereigns agreed on the duty to regulate the borders. The [[Scottish Marches]] system was set up, under the control of three wardens from each side, who generally kept the peace through several centuries until being replaced by the [[Anglo-Scottish border#Middle Shires|Middle Shires]] under [[James VI and I|James VI/I]].{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=246}}

===Administrative history===
Prior to 1975 the area that is now Scottish Borders was administered as the four separate [[Shires of Scotland|counties]] of [[Berwickshire]], [[Peeblesshire]], [[Roxburghshire]], and [[Selkirkshire]], plus part of [[Midlothian (historic)|Midlothian]]. An elected county council was established for each county in 1890 under the [[Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889]]. The county councils were abolished in 1975 under the [[Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973]], which established a two-tier structure of [[Local government areas of Scotland 1973 to 1996|local government]] comprising upper-tier regions and lower-tier districts. A region called Borders was created covering the area. The region contained four districts, called Berwickshire, [[Ettrick and Lauderdale]], [[Roxburgh (district)|Roxburgh]], and [[Tweeddale]].<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973|year=1973|chapter=65|accessdate=22 November 2022}}</ref>

Further local government reform in 1996 under the [[Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994]] saw the area's four districts and the regional council abolished, with a new [[unitary authority]] created covering the same area as the former Borders Region.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994|year-1994|chapter=39|accessdate=22 November 2022}}</ref> The 1994 Act called the new council area "The Borders", but the shadow council elected in 1995 to oversee the transition changed the name to "Scottish Borders" prior to the changes coming into effect in 1996.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=23789|page=1333|date=26 May 1995|city=e}}</ref>