Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery
Museum and gallery in Dunbar's historic Town House with changing exhibitions and a local history display run by the town's history society.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Dunbar Town House, also known as the Tolbooth, has been at the centre of town life since the 16th century. Its distinctive tower with a witch's hat roof, bell, clock and sundials rises above the High Street. For more than 400 years councillors and magistrates ran the burgh from its council chamber, which included hearing local witch trials, and the building also held a jail with cells for debtors and other prisoners.
The town council left in 1975 when local government was reorganised. East Lothian Council later refurbished the building in 2010 to 2012 with support from Historic Environment Scotland.
Today the ground floor shows changing historical and art exhibitions. A local history display area and research room are managed by Dunbar and District History Society, whose volunteers also open the museum in the winter months and lead tours of parts of the building that are not normally open, including the old jail cell. The upper floors contain a community room, and the Council Chamber can be hired for meetings, civil marriages and other events. Dunbar is the official end of the John Muir Way, so the Town House is a popular stop for walkers.
Highlights
- Historic Tolbooth with witch's hat tower, bell, clock and sundials
- Changing history and art exhibitions
- Local history display and research room run by Dunbar and District History Society
- Original jail cell and Council Chamber
- Final stop of the John Muir Way
Permanent exhibition
- Dunbar local history display – A local history display area and research room managed by Dunbar and District History Society.
- Founded
- 1992
- Operated by
- East Lothian Council
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Entry is free. Some events and activities may carry a small charge, and donations are welcome.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
A hearing loop and both an accessible and a standard toilet are listed, but access to the historic building is limited. Visitors are advised to check the AccessAble and Euan's Guide access guides or to contact the museum for details.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Dunbar station · 10-min walk
Dunbar station is about a 10-minute walk away. Regular buses run to and from Edinburgh city centre, Berwick-upon-Tweed and North Berwick.
By car
Parking available
One hour of free parking is available on the High Street. Coach and further parking are at Dunbar Leisure Pool. Electric car charging points are at Bleachingfield car park and on Spott Road.
The museum is signposted from the A1. Dunbar is the official end of the John Muir Way.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
Visitors can lock bicycles securely outside the building.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Weddings / ceremonies
The Council Chamber can be booked for meetings, civil marriages and other functions, and a community room on the upper floors is available to council and community groups.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | Group visits are welcome; staff will discuss requirements. Volunteers of the history society lead tours that include areas not normally open, such as the jail cell. |
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