[3] It was rebuilt in 1705,[4] and augmented by a courthouse and prison block, designed by Richard Crichton, which was built to the south of the original building and completed in 1811.

[1] The new building was designed in the Scottish baronial style by the architectural firm of Wardrop & Reid based on an outline design by one of the firm's founders, Thomas Brown; it was built in ashlar stone and was completed in 1876.

[1] A wooden canopy surmounted by a carved Royal coat of arms was installed above the judge's chair.

The education authority had bought the former Royal Infirmary building at 33 Spittal Street in 1929 to use as its headquarters.

[13] The county council moved its meeting place to Spittal Street in 1930, but still needed more office space for its staff.