The Midsteeple

Today's the day .................... to visit Dumfries
 
This is the Midsteeple – an old listed building in the centre of Dumfries.
 
The foundation stone was laid on the 30 May 1705 for a new town-house with an imposing steeple, built at the back of the Market Cross – with the official completion in 1707.  There was a weigh-house on the ground floor. The first floor was a court room and Clerk's chamber for keeping the charter chest and records of the Burgh and there was prison accommodation in the steeple.  It was also used to keep the town's arms and ammunition. With the construction of Greyfriars Church and St Michael's Church, the Town House became commonly known as the Midsteeple.
 
There are two large stone crests on the side of the building , the Royal Arms of Scotland and St Michael, the patron saint of Dumfries. There is also a relief map of the town as well as a mileage table erected in 1827 showing local distances and includes Huntingdon, 272 miles where cattle were herded to trade.
 
In 1796 the body of poet Robert Burns lay in the courtroom of the Midsteeple until his funeral on Monday July 25th ..........................