1973 Scottish local elections explained

Local elections were held in Scotland in May 1973, as part of that year's wider British local elections. The elections were the last to the local authorities created under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1929, and were replaced in 1975 by a uniform system of regions and districts.

Elections to the 4 city corporations, 21 town councils of large burghs and 176 town councils of small burghs took place on 1 May 1973; elections to the 33 county councils took place a week later on 8 May 1973.[1]

Municipal elections

Results by council

Counties of cities

CouncilSeats upLabConLibSNPTurnoutControlDetails
Aberdeen12 (of 36)651027.4% holdDetails
Dundee13 (of 36)760037.0% holdDetails
Edinburgh26 (of 69)131030 holdDetails
Glasgow37 (of 111)26110030.5% holdDetails

Large burghs

CouncilSeats upLabConLibSNPIndOtherTurnoutDetails
Airdrie541000043.4%Details
Arbroath720014041.6%Details
Ayr72500000.0%Details
Clydebank760000141.0%Details
Coatbridge6510000Details
Dumbarton541000029.8%Details
Dumfries932004032.0%Details
Dunfermline945000040.5%Details
East Kilbride660000038.2%Details
Falkirk5310100Details
Greenock970200040.0%Details
Hamilton541000031.5%Details
Inverness800017031.2%Details
Kilmarnock871000034.0%Details
Kirkcaldy1041010439.3%Details
Motherwell and Wishaw970002028.7%Details
Paisley1071002029.9%Details
Perth851000237.6%Details
Port Glasgow430000135.9%Details
Rutherglen6410010Details
Stirling740012040.3%Details

Notes and References

  1. News: 2 May 1973 . Labour on top in day of record low polling . The Glasgow Herald . 1. 21 January 2021.