Sanquhar Tolbooth Museum

📌 Sanquhar, Dumfries & Galloway
★★

Sanquhar’s eye-catching, 18th century tolbooth dominates the west end of its High Street. Its upper floor has been converted into a small but interesting museum documenting the story of the town and the surrounding region of Upper Nithsdale. The area has benefited over the centuries from a diverse range of industries including knitting, weaving and coal mining, but the displays give the impression that Sanquhar has often struggled financially. The tolbooth also housed the town jail in a former life, and some of the old cells have been recreated on the ground floor. The town centre only merits a whistle-stop tour but you should seek out the tiny Sanquhar Post Office. This is the world’s oldest post office, having been in continuous operation since 1712.