Town House 1790, Mercat Cross	In 1600, the store house , used by Dunnottar Castle, and owned by the Earl Marischal, was converted to a Court-house ,Tollbooth and thief-hole. And in its time held condemed prisoners, Rioters and notable members of the local Barclay family.

Tollbooth

This court continued to sit until it was again moved in 1767. By all accounts the first sitting in this new Court-house, the trial of one John Couley, was held in December of that year.
However the new building was still incomplete and permission was requested, and granted, to move the trial after Sir William Ogelvy of Barras (chancellor of the jury) complained that, at 1am, when the presentation of evidence was eventually complete :

"It being both frost and snow, and the Court-house being very open, and no place or apartment therein,..... it would be impossible for them to give their verdict without imminent hazard to health."

So the grateful jurors accepted the hospitality of Mrs Logie, Mill of Stonehaven, in allowing them to deliberate in her home and by instruction, to return a verdict by ten o'clock that forenoon.

There is no doubt that as long ago as the 16th century when the Tollbooth was built, Stonehyve already had some form of fishing community. The natural harbour of Stonehaven and nearby Cowie Village provided shelter from the harsh North Sea elements. Eventually settlements rose up around these areas most suitable for landing the small craft of the time, and towards the seventeenth century stone constructed piers were erected in the more prosperous districts.

The Tollbooth, one of the oldest buildings in the town, today has an interesting museum on the ground floor and the Excellent Tolbooth Seafood Restaurant on the upper floor.

Contacted restaurant on: Telephone 01569 762287

In the museum can be seen artifacts from Stonehavens fishing past.

An exhibition  about the 428 Million year old - Pneumodesmus Newmani -  fossilised millipede, that is one of the most dramatic discoveries ever made, discovered by Mike Newman in 2003 near Cowie village..

Opening Hours 2006

Open 12th April - 16th October, Wed - Mon 1.30 - 4.30. CLOSED Tues.

Free Entry

There is also the original "Thief Hole" where more than a few notable members of old Stonehaven spent some time, This was also the holding cell for condemned prisoners before being led to "Gallows Hill" 1/2 a mile south of the town..

The restaurant has a splendid menu including a fine seafood selection. It is open daily all year round serving both lunch and dinner.