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Latitude: 56.0022 / 56°0'7"N
Longitude: -2.5156 / 2°30'56"W
OS Eastings: 367941
OS Northings: 678921
OS Grid: NT679789
Mapcode National: GBR ND4V.J98
Mapcode Global: WH8W0.BDBJ
Plus Code: 9C8V2F2M+VQ
Entry Name: Town House, High Street, Dunbar
Listing Name: High Street, Town House (Tolbooth)
Listing Date: 5 February 1971
Category: A
Source: Historic Scotland
Source ID: 360867
Historic Scotland Designation Reference: LB24790
Building Class: Cultural
ID on this website: 200360867
Location: Dunbar
County: East Lothian
Town: Dunbar
Electoral Ward: Dunbar and East Linton
Traditional County: East Lothian
Tagged with: Building
Circa 1620, with stair tower possibly raised circa 1650, may
incorporate some 16th century fragments. 3-storey Town House
with 3rd floor breaking eaves. Projecting semi-octagonal
tower at centre W. Red sandstone rubble, formerly harled,
with ashlar dressings. Harled at rear. Slate roof. Small-pane
glazing pattern.
W ELEVATION: tower carried above wallhead; pend entrance on
NW side with rounded corners, close running through to rear.
String courses dividing upper stages of tower. 4-pane narrow
lights to stair. 2 19th century clocks on N and S sides; 2
stone sundials with copper gnoma to NW and SW. Ground floor
windows of flanking bays formed in 1912 when lean-to
additions were removed by Robert Orr, Haddington. Mullioned
1st floor window to N with moulded architrave and corbel
supports, possibly incorporated from castle ruin. Window to
S 1st floor with transom and barred lower half derived from
use as gaol. Apparent blocked window to S of this. Pedimented
dormers flanking Tower with blocked oval panels. Slated lower
skirt to tower roof with lead flashings; steeper
timber-framed, lead-covered spire above with louvred oval
lucarnes and wrought-iron cockerel weathervane. Gabletted
crowsteps; rubble gable head stacks with thackstones.
E (REAR) ELEVATION: 2-storey projection with pentice roof;
pend opening to right and enlarged. Central pedimented
dormer.
S GABLE TO SILVER STREET: 2 ground floor windows; various
early alterations.
Sympathetic extension block abutting N gable by George
Simpson, Edinburgh, 1927, serving as public offices.
INTERIOR: Paved pend with turnpike stair to right. Heavy
timber doors with simple iron hinges, locks and handles.
Vaulted chambers to 1st floor, formerly used as prison cells,
with rafters and wooden ceilings. S cell door with yett
grille and bolt possibly taken from castle. Council Chamber
on 3rd floor running full length with coomb ceiling, wood
panelled mid to late 18th century, with gilding. Later
shutters to N, 2 end chimneypieces, one bolection moulded,
one with decorative 19th century cast-iron fire surround with basket-arched chimneypiece. Panels of Arms of Union, painted
and gilded, above fireplaces; one dated 1686, the other
Georgian.
Property has group interest with other listed buildings on High Street and West Port: see LB24778 to LB24791, LB24803 to LB24824 and LB24864 to LB24867.
Oval details also seen on Dunbar Customs House of contemporary date now demolished. Crowstep form showing Dutch influence. Bridge spanning Silver Street allegedly housed the hangman. Town House served as a police station in early 20th century. De-scheduled October 1995.
External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.
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