| Summary: | The study is divided into three sections under the headings of The Physical Environment. The Changing Human Response and Population - The Changing Pattern The elements of the environment are examined and some of the more important influences in population distribution and change arc discussed. It is found that there is a close correlation between the various physical regions of the North East and the demographic pattern. Many of the population and settlement changes which have taken place between 1696 and 1931 may be considered as reflexes of the environment. It is shown that the good framing districts based on fertile soils and favourable environmental conditions have shown the least fluctuation in population over the period and the relation of these districts to valley or basin situation on the Lowlands is indicated. These areas showed an increase in population up to the latter part of the Nineteenth century, but with a decline at the end of the Eighteenth Century. The less fertile districts on the Lowlands, of ten with an interfluvial situation, showed a high increase from the beginning of the period to the middle of the Nineteenth century with subsequent decline. These are areas of colonisation, with which are associated new settlement tpes erected for rural industry and the reclamation of waste land at the end of the Eighteenth century. The fishing population has had a different development to the landward population. There has been a high increase in the population of the larger fishing centres from the beginning of the period with slight decline in the last two decades, but the population of the smaller centres has been absorbed by the larger with changes in economic conditions. The more remote and hilly districts of the North East showed a population increase to the middle of the Eighteenth century, with, in many cases, subsequent decline to 1931. In some Highland parishes the population was less than in 1696. The migration involved in the depopulation is reviewed and an attempt made to indicate the flow to other parts of Scotland. The changes in the age and sex structure of the population, which are linked with migration, are examined and it is found that few districts or burghs of the North East show a balanced population.
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