Marr

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Marr is one of six committee areas in Aberdeenshire, Scotland bordering Atholl, Badenoch, Gowrie, The Mearns Banff and Buchan. It has a population of 34,038 (2001 Census). Someone from Marr is called a Màrnach in Scottish Gaelic.

Marr is named after Mar, one of the historic districts of Scotland, which comprised the larger portion of Aberdeenshire, extending from north of the Don southward to the Mounth. Like other such districts, it was under the rule of a mormaer during Scotland in the Middle Ages. In the 12th century an earl (the Earl of Mar) took his place, but no definite succession of earls appears till the 13th century, nor is any connection established between them and the mormaers.

The district was eventually combined into the traditional county of Aberdeenshire during reorganisation due to Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889, this Act established a uniform system of county councils and town councils in Scotland and restructured many of Scotland’s counties. (See: History of local government in the United Kingdom).

To the west, the mountain environment of the Cairngorms National Park sustains a well developed tourist industry based on heritage and outdoor pursuits. Forestry and livestock farming are key industries, particularly in remoter areas. Part of the area has qualified for EU financial assistance. To the east, Marr has experienced population growth due to its strong commuter links with the city of Aberdeen.

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This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.