 Prior to the 1832 Reform Act, the constituency was generally controlled by the Dukes of Argyll or Campbells, the number of voters varying between 15-30.The Representation of the People (Scotland) Act 1832 abolished the alternating constituencies.Nairnshire was merged with Elginshire to form the single constituency of Elginshire and Nairnshire, both counties electing one Member between them to each Parliament.