Sanquhar Tolbooth Museum

29/05/2026

Sanquhar Castle, oil painting, undated and signed 'McLean'. On display in Sanquhar Tolbooth Museum alongwith archaeology connected with the castle site.
Visit Tuesday to Saturday 10-1, 2-5, free entry.

22/05/2026

We recently had an inquiry about this lovely blanket, on display in Sanquhar Tolbooth Museum. Our staff measured it (almost 4 metres long and nearly 2 metres wide!), photographed it and provided information to the inquirer.
Our records say it was made by John McQueen, Tweed and Blanket Manufacturer, Crawick Mill in the 1890s.
In 1876 the redundant carpet mill was converted into a woollen factory by John McQueen. The old buildings were rebuilt and a new waterwheel fitted. In the 1890s it was producing 50 pairs of blankets a day.
We are always pleased to help inquirers and to have a reason to look at an object up close.

08/05/2026

The brickworks at Sanquhar and Kirkconnel made over 200 varieties of item such as this chimney.
It is on display in Sanquhar Tolbooth Museum and when you visit, you might spot other examples on top of houses in the town.
Open Tuesday to Saturday 10-1, 2-5.

01/05/2026

Example of a Sanquhar pattern glove in red and green. This is one of several variations on the Duke design, known as squares. This is the Rose, named in 1930 to mark the birth of Princess Margaret Rose.
An example of a living tradition and intangible cultural heritage on display in Sanquhar Tolbooth Museum. Visit Tuesday to Saturday 10-1, 2-5.

23/04/2026

There's a new longcase clock on display in Sanquhar Tolbooth Museum. It has beautiful scenes of shepherds and the countryside on the face.
Pop in to take a look, we're open Tuesday to Saturday 10-1, 2-5.

13/04/2026

Model of the First Bicycle on display in Sanquhar Tolbooth Museum. Kirkpatrick MacMillan, a blacksmith from Keir, south of Sanquhar, is reputed to have been the first person to add pedals to a bicycle.
Find out more by visiting the Tolbooth Museum or Dumfries Museum (where a full scale example is on display).
This model was made by talented craftsman and former Assistant Curator of Dumfries Museum, Tim Jeffs. More of his work can be seen in Dumfries Museum (woodwork, puppets, weaving, painting, quilts and more!)
Learn more here:
https://www.futuremuseum.co.uk/collections/people/key-people/artists/james-g-jeffs/the-first-bicycle

09/04/2026

Sanquhar used to produce a substantial number of bricks - they can be seen around the town and in the Tolbooth Museum.
This photograph shows a group of workmen at Buccleuch Brickworks. Find out more (on our collections website) here: https://www.futuremuseum.co.uk/collections/life-work/key-industries/brick-tileworks/dumfries-galloway/workmen-at-buccleuch-brickworks--sanquhar

06/02/2026

Talk on objects from the collection at Sanquhar Tolbooth Museum coming soon!
Dumfries and Galloway! Whats Going on ?

17/01/2026

Opportunity to work at the beautiful Tolbooth. Please share.

JOB VACANCY AT SANQUHAR TOLBOOTH MUSEUM
More details here:
https://myjobscotland.gov.uk/councils/dumfries-and-galloway-council/jobs/seasonal-museum-attendant-455923

15/11/2025

⚖️ Budget Consultation 26/27 – Have your say. 💬

Like all councils, we’re facing rising costs and growing demand for services. To help balance the books, we need to explore a wide range of potential budget savings and income-generation options.

These are officer-developed proposals for consultation – not decisions.

We know many of the ideas are difficult. That’s why it’s vital people across Dumfries and Galloway share their views before councillors consider and set the final budget early next year.

🗓️ Open until Sunday 23 November
🔗 https://orlo.uk/MOk6O