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Publication Account
Date 1987
Event ID 1016842
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Publication Account
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1016842
The West Wemyss tolbooth is a modest rectangular structure datingfrom the beginning of the 18th century. It is two storeys in height with a proportionately lofty bell-tower projecting into the street. A forestair built against the tower gives access to the upper storey, whilst a vaulted pend passes through the western side of the building. In the pend are the blocked openings of the fonner prison cells. The building is constructed of harled rubble with a slated roof to the belfry and pantiles to the main block.
Two panels face the street but are now unintelligible. These fonnerly read:
'THIS FABRIC WAS BUILT BY EARL DAVID
WEMYSS AND TOWN FOR THE CRIBBING OF
VICE AND SERVICE TO CROWN'.
The lower panel contained a coat of anns with the initials D.E.W. for David, 4th Earl of Wemyss (1678-1720).
This building replaced an earlier structure built between 1511, when West Wemyss became a burgh of barony, and 1592, when it was reported as having a tolbooth and market cross.
Information from ‘Exploring Scotland’s Heritage: Fife and Tayside’, (1987).
