Dalkeith Tolbooth

Had a lovely post-work walk round the neighbouring town of Dalkeith, before having a dinner at the local Brewers Fayre.

This building on High Street now known as the Tolbooth began to be used as a tollbooth for the administration of the town in the early 18th century. The plaque above the door reads '1648' but this was taken from another building and does not denote when the Tolbooth was built.

It served as a place for law and order and featured a prison in the west half, a court room on the east, and a dungeon known as the ‘black hole’ below ground. In front of the building there is a circle of stones to mark the spot where the last public hanging in Dalkeith. William Thomson was hanged here for highway robbery in 1827.

I hope you have enjoyed Thursday.