[1] The first municipal building in Cromarty was an ancient tolbooth located on the east side of The Causeway.

[3] The new building was designed in the Scottish medieval style, built in coursed rubble masonry with a cement render finish and was completed in spring 1773.

[7][8][9] Improvements, including a new prisoner cell block to the rear of the town house, were completed to a design by Thomas Brown in 1847.

[11] The building continued to serve in that capacity for much of the 20th century, but ceased to be the local seat of government when the enlarged Ross and Cromarty District Council was formed at Dingwall in 1975.

[11][13] Artefacts placed on display in the museum included items relating to the life of the writer and translator, Sir Thomas Urquhart.