Facility Information

The Tolbooth Art Centre is based in Kirkcudbright's 17th century Tolbooth. This served previously as the Town Council offices, Burgh and Sheriff courts and the criminal and debtor's prison. One of its most famous prisoners was John Paul Jones, hero of the American Navy.

Find out about Kirkcudbright's famous artists, such as E A Hornel, Jessie M King, E A Taylor and Charles Oppenheimer in the Tolbooth's audio-visual shows "Kirkcudbright – The Artists' Town" and "Jessie M King". See their works on permanent display here, including paintings of the Tolbooth itself by the famous Scottish colourist, S J Peploe, and David Gauld, one of the 'Glasgow Boys'.

The top floor of the Tolbooth, formerly the debtor's prison is now used as a gallery for ever changing contemporary art and craft exhibitions.

Friendly café serving fresh coffee, teas and locally produced cakes and biscuits. Gift shop, retailing artists' prints, paintings, crafts, art books and reproductions.

Opening hours

Open all year
May, June & September: Monday-Saturday 11am-5pm, Sunday 2pm-5pm
July & August: Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 2pm-5pm
October: Monday-Saturday 11am-4pm, Sunday 2pm-5pm
November to April: Monday-Saturday 11am-4pm

Admission charges

Admission is free.

Contact details