[1] The first judicial building in Stranraer was a tolbooth which was built on part of the local parish churchyard and dated back to the late 17th century.

It was replaced, in 1776, by the old town hall in George Street, which was extended to the rear to accommodate a corn exchange and a courtroom in 1855.

A new courthouse was designed by Thomas Brown II and James Maitland Wardrop in the Gothic Revival style, built in red sandstone from Galashiels with buff stone dressings from Hexham and was officially opened on 15 January 1874.

The central bay featured a portico, which incorporated an arch with a hood mould and supported a balcony with a balustrade; there were tripartite lancet windows on the first floor.

[10] It was reported, in August 2022, that the courthouse needed repairs expected to cost some £200,000 including a replacement boiler as well as a survey of the drainage system.