BUTESHIRE, comprehends the islands of Bute, Arran, the greater and lesser Cumbrae, and Inch-mar-noc. This shire and that of Caithness send a member to parliament alternately. The earl of Bute is admiral of the county, by commission from his majesty; but no way dependent on the lord high admiral of Scotland: so that if any maritime case occurs within this jurisdiction, (even crimes of as high a nature as murder or piracy), his lordship, by virtue of his powers as admiral, is sufficient judge, or he may delegate his authority to any deputies.
The following is a view of the population of this county at two different periods, taken from the Statistical history of Scotland.
| Parishes. | Population in 1795. | Population in 1790-1798. |
|---|---|---|
| Bute. | ||
| { Rothsay, | 2222 | 4032 |
| { Kingarth, | 998 | 727 |
| Arran. | ||
| { Kilbride, | 1369 | 2545 |
| { Kilmorie, | 2127 | 3259 |
| Total, | 6716 | 10,563 |
| Population in 1811, | 12,033 |
See BUTESHIRE, SUPPLEMENT.