Stonehaven Tolbooth

About the museum

The Tolbooth on the Old Pier at Stonehaven is the oldest building in the town. It is thought to have been founded by George Keith, the 5th Earl Marischal, as a storehouse while Dunnottar Castle was being built. An Act of Parliament of around 1600 made it the town's administrative centre, and from 1624 the upper floor held town business and courts while the ground floor served as a prison, until 1767.

Afterwards it was used as a store until the 1950s, by which time it had fallen into disrepair. The building was renovated and reopened in 1963 by the Queen Mother, and the upper floor became a museum in 1975. It is a Category A listed building.

The museum is run by the Stonehaven Tolbooth Association, a volunteer charity. After a period of building repairs the ground floor and courtyard were transferred from Aberdeenshire Council to the association, and the museum reopened in April with refreshed displays. Exhibits include an original cell door, the Inverbervie stocks, the Crank punishment device, a recreated prison cell, fossils and Scottish agates. A restaurant is run separately on the upper floor.

Highlights

• Oldest building in Stonehaven, on the harbour front
• Original cell door, the Inverbervie stocks and the Crank
• Recreated prison cell
• Geology, fossils and Scottish agates
• Free admission, run by volunteers

Permanent exhibition

• Museum displays – Displays on Stonehaven's history, the building's time as a courthouse and prison, local geology, fossils and agates, and everyday life.

Founded

1975

Operated by

Stonehaven Tolbooth Association

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry is free and donations are appreciated.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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 Doors Open Days listing describes the building as not accessible. The museum itself does not publish access information.

Kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

A children's dinosaur hunt has been offered at open days.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on the Old Pier at Stonehaven Harbour. A Doors Open Days listing notes that parking is available.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant

A restaurant on the first floor is leased to an operator and is separate from the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.