[5] Each county (excluding all burghs) was divided into electoral divisions, made up of groupings of parishes, each returning one councillor.

The county councils received numerous powers and duties previously performed by a number of bodies: Among the diverse functions acquired from the justices were inspection of gas meters, regulation of explosive materials, weights and measures, habitual drunkards, control of wild birds and providing visitors to asylums.

[7] Subsequent to the commissioners' dissolution, the Secretary for Scotland had the power to vary boundaries on the application of a council.

Each county (unless it contained fewer than six parishes) was to be divided into districts consisting of groups of electoral divisions.

The committees performed the county council's functions in respect of the Public Health Acts and highways legislation.