[1] The first municipal building in Sanquhar was an early tolbooth which dated back to the late 15th century and was already in a dilapidated condition by the 1680s.

[2] The condition of the old tolbooth became so bad that, in June 1731, the burgh council decided to demolish it and to replace it with a new building on the same site.

At roof level, there was a large square base with clock faces surmounted by an octagonal belfry, an ogive-shaped dome and a weather vane.

[1] New cast iron railings were added to the forestair in 1857[1] and a coat of arms of the Crichton family, the former owners of Sanquhar Castle, was placed on the front of the building in the late 1950s.

[9][10] Works of art in the tolbooth include a portrait by Jacob Epstein of the former member of parliament, Sir William Cotts.