BANFF

town, southwestern Alberta, Canada. Banff lies along the glacial-green Bow River, near the scenic Lake Louise and the British Columbia border; it is the headquarters of Banff National Park. Named by Lord Strathcona for the Scottish royal burgh of Banff, the settlement developed as a resort after the arrival (1883) of the Canadian Pacific Railway and the establishment (1885) of Banff National Park. Situated along the Trans-Canada Highway, it is a year-round tourist and convention centre, with hot sulfur springs, skiing facilities, a school of fine arts, a museum, and a sanitarium. Indian Days celebration (August) and a winter-sports carnival are annual events. Banff's light manufactures include pharmaceuticals, and coal is mined locally. Pop. (1991) 5,668. ancient royal burgh (town), Aberdeenshire council area, historic county of Banffshire, northeastern Scotland. It is a North Sea port and lies on the western bank of the River Deveron opposite its sister town, Macduff, to which it is connected by a bridge (1799). By the 12th century Banff was a thriving member of a league of Scottish ports. Its castle (the remains of which still exist), built originally as a defense against Viking raids, was then a royal residence and the town a royal burgh, whose charters date from 1163, 1324, and 1372 (still extant). Duff House, the town's architectural showpiece, was designed by William Adam (c. 1735) and presented to the burgh in 1906. Local industries include fishing, brewing, distilling, food processing, and tourism. Banff is the historic county town (seat) of Banffshire. Pop. (1991) 4,110.