Baillie
A baillie or bailie is a civic officer in the local government of Scotland. The position arose in the burghs, where baillies formerly held a post similar to that of an alderman or magistrate (see bailiff). Modern bailies exist in Scottish local councils, with the position being a courtesy title and appointees often requested to provide support to the Lord Provost or Provost - the ceremonial and civic head of the council - in his various engagements.[1][2]
History
The name derives from Old French and formerly was synonymous with Provost, with several officials holding this role often at the appointment of the Church.[3]
The jurisdiction of a bailie is called a bailiary (alt. bailiery).
The office of bailie was eliminated in law in Scotland in 1975 and today the position of bailie is a courtesy title.[4]
Use
Notable Scottish baillies
- Alasdair MacMhaighstir Alasdair, Bailie of Canna
- Mary Barbour, Glasgow Corporation's first woman Baillie (1924-1927)
- Alexander Comyn, Earl of Buchan, Bailie of Inverie, Knoydart
- Sir John Lauder, 1st Baronet, Bailie of Edinburgh
- Thomas Watt, Bailie to the Baron of Cartsburn, grandfather of James Watt
- Bailie William Landale, winner of the silver cup at the first open championship held at St Andrews Old Course in 1754, see Timeline of golf history (1353-1850)
- "Baillie Vass" - a provincial newspaper, the Aberdeen Evening Express accidentally used a picture of Sir Alec Douglas-Home over a caption referring to a baillie called Vass. Private Eye then affected to believe that Home was an imposter.
Outwith government
Scottish barons often appointed a Baillie as their judicial officer.
See also
- Burgess (title)
- Deacon, the old Scots equivalent of councillor
- Bailie of Holyroodhouse
- Glasgow Bailie, a type of salted herring, which is also sometimes known as a "Glasgow Magistrate"
- Bailie Nicol Jarvie, a brand of whisky named after a fictional character in Sir Walter Scott's novel Rob Roy
- Bailie Marie Barclay, famous lady of the night in the 1920s
References