Scottish Burgh in the Second Half of the 18th Century (Based on the Minutes of the Elgin Burgh Council)
In this article the researcher analyzes the ties of the burgh of Elgin with the political centre of Great Britain and points out the degree to which burgh life changed in the second half of the 18th century. The burgh rarely came to the attention of historians, and the studies dedicated to the burgh of Elgin contain no theoretical interpretation of observed facts. The authors share the opinion that during the hundred years after the conclusion of the Act of Union the burgh was past its days of prosperity, however, despite downturn it was far from its demise. The basis of the research is formed by the minutes of the burgh council. They share business character and mostly contain decisions taken by the local authorities. Historians make only limited use of the minutes rarely analyzing them. This source allows the researcher to conclude that interactions between Elgin’s local authorities and British central authorities were limited. The minutes reflect Elgin’s contacts with local nobles far more often. Moreover, the article underlines that the local legislation had no overhaul in the second half of the 18th century and developed extensively. The changes in the burgh were not radical either. Notably, the limited transformation of the burgh was most likely driven by lack of funds, since the local population was interested in improving the burgh. For instance, local nobles sporadically gave only a part of the funds necessary for construction works, and the rest was covered by voluntary contributions from the citizens of the burgh.