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Archaeology Notes

Event ID 716192

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/716192

NT36NW 47 33323 67436.

(NT 3332 6743) Scientific Hall (NAT)

formerly Jail or Tolbooth (NR)

OS 1:500 map (1893)

Dalkeith Tolbooth, now the Scientific Hall, is a 17th c Renaissance structure of two storeys above ground and a basement containing prison cells beneath the pavement. It is oblong on plan, 53'2" x 21'3", and the masonry to the street is ashlar. The stone over the doorway, bearing the Scott of Buccleugh arms and dated 1648 is not in situ, having been brought there in the 18th c from the grounds of Dalkeith Palace. Dalkeith was erected into a Burgh of Barony in 1540. Baron Baillie held his court in the upper storey and administered the town's affair until 1878 when it elected to become a police burgh.

RCAHMS 1929, visited 1915; NSA 1845; SDD List 1964

Dalkeith Tolbooth is as described and is in good order.

Visited by OS (BS) 30 October 1975

An oblong symmetrical structure with a pedimented doorway with 1648 datestone, but otherwise of later appearance.

G Stell 1982; NMRS MLD/26/1-2 (1958-9)

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