Kirkcudbright Tolbooth and Art Gallery

About the museum

The Kirkcudbright Tolbooth was built between about 1625 and 1629 as the town's tolbooth. It served as a meeting place and office for the town council, as the burgh and sheriff court, and as the criminal and debtors' prison. One of its best-known prisoners was Captain John Paul, who later became famous as John Paul Jones, hero of the American navy.

The building is listed Grade A and keeps many original features inside and out, including old stonework and doorways, the clock tower, the hinges of the cell gate and a set of jougs, an iron collar for prisoners, fixed to the outside wall. In modern times it is also known as a filming location for the cult film The Wicker Man.

The Tolbooth was opened as an arts centre in 1993 by the Queen. The top floor tells the story of the building itself, the first floor is a gallery for contemporary art and craft by local artists, and a shop with gifts and art supplies is on the ground floor. It is run by Dumfries and Galloway Council as one of the venues of DG Culture.

Highlights

• Grade A listed tolbooth of about 1625 to 1629 with its clock tower and original stonework
• Exhibition on the Tolbooth as town hall, court and prison, including the debtors' cell
• Contemporary art and craft gallery on the first floor
• Link to the prisoner John Paul, later John Paul Jones
• Free entry and a shop with gifts and art supplies

Permanent exhibition

• The story of the Tolbooth – The top floor tells the history of the building as town council meeting place, court and prison, including its famous prisoner John Paul.

Founded

1993

Operated by

Dumfries and Galloway Council (DG Culture)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: not available
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The ground floor is reached through the front door, but the ground directly outside is cobbled. The other floors are reached by a lift from the ground floor or by a spiral staircase, and the debtors' cell is reached by two more steps. A fully accessible toilet is on the ground floor, with further toilets on the first floor. There is no car park and no designated disabled parking, but visitors can park on the street directly outside. All films in the venue have subtitles, and staff will help visitors.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The Tolbooth is on the High Street in the centre of Kirkcudbright.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

A shop on the ground floor sells gifts and art supplies.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit