Lanarkshire is a traditional county of Scotland. In 1975 it was merged with other counties into a Strathclyde region which was later broken up again in 1995. Historic Lanarkshire is now split into the council regions of North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, and the City of Glasgow.

North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire have a joint board for valuation and electoral registration. There is also a joint health board, which does not cover Rutherglen and the surrounding area in South Lanarkshire. Without the northern portion of North Lanarkshire, this is also a Lieutenancy area.