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Culross

Culross Tolbooth

The Town House of Culross, a tolbooth of the 1620s by the palace, now the National Trust's shop and visitor centre.

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Welcome

The Town House of Culross, the old tolbooth, stands at the foot of the town beside Culross Palace, a handsome old stone building with a tower.

It was built in the 1620s, when Culross was a busy port trading with the Low Countries, and its Flemish look is a reminder of those links. The tolbooth held the burgh's council chamber, courtroom and jail, and it is listed at the highest category.

Today it belongs to the National Trust for Scotland and is the visitor centre for Culross: this is where you buy tickets for Culross Palace next door, and the shop sells the guidebook with its walking trail around the burgh's notable sites, along with books and gifts. It makes the natural starting point for a visit, with the palace, the Cochrane bust and the Mercat Cross all within a few steps. The shop opens from 10am to 4.45pm in the palace's season.

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The Daily for 1 November, from Scotland with love. A misty lane runs past slate-roofed cottages toward a wooded hillside.
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Before you go

The Townhouse shop opens 10am to 4.45pm in season.

Tickets for Culross Palace are sold here.

Shop
10:00 to 16:45 in season.
Tickets
For the palace.

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Where it is

Beside Culross Palace, Culross.

Close byIn Culross.
  1. Culross PalaceCulross PalaceThe ochre-coloured merchant's house of 1597 at the heart of Culross, with painted ceilings, panelled rooms and a 17th-century garden.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. The Cat's Close street sign on an old stone wall.Cats CloseA narrow walled lane climbing between high stone walls in Culross, once the way up to the abbey.Under a mile 1 min by road
  3. Ochre gabled houses overlook a walled garden with clipped topiary and gravel pathsThe Hanging Gardens CulrossCared for by the National Trust, the Hanging Gardens at Culross Palace incorporate many of the features typical of 17th-century gardensUnder a mile 1 min by road
  4. The Gallery at Culross on its street in the old burgh.The Gallery at CulrossA gallery of contemporary craft in Culross, run by two jewellers, with paintings, glass, ceramics, textiles and jewellery.Under a mile 1 min by road
  5. The Red Lion's whitewashed front and door on the cobbles of Culross.The Red Lion, CulrossA community-owned inn on Low Causeway in Culross, serving food every day from noon until nine.Under a mile 1 min by road
  6. Cochrane's bust with the Scottish and Chilean flags behind.Admiral Thomas Cochrane Statue CulrossA bronze bust of Admiral Thomas Cochrane by Culross Palace, the sea captain who grew up here and helped Chile win its freedom.Under a mile 1 min by road
Directions
CafeThe Mercat, CulrossA step away
The Mercat Cross and its unicorn finial among white houses.AttractionsCulross Mercat CrossA step away
The Lockit Well set into a stone wall in Culross.AttractionsThe Lockit WellA step away
Pink, white and ochre cottages line a narrow cobbled street in the rainAttractionsTanhouse BraeA step away
Haggs Wynd climbing past the palace wall.AttractionsHaggs Wynd Culross0.3 miles
Parleyhill House's curved gable with its two oval attic windows, Culross.AttractionsThe House with the Evil Eyes0.3 miles
The alabaster monument to Sir George Bruce with his children kneeling before it, Culross Abbey.AttractionsThe Bruce Vault, Culross Abbey0.3 miles
Ruined stone walls and arches beside a church tower with a Saltire flagAttractionsCulross Abbey0.3 miles
The grave of Lilias Adie, a flat sandstone slab on the sands of Torryburn Bay at low tide.AttractionsGrave of Lilias Adie2.3 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the Town House, and when each is next free.

A grand stone mansion with multiple gables and chimneys stands behind a lawn set with wicker chairs, seen through overhanging leaves.Cromlix
  • To stay
  • In Kinbuck
  • 18 miles from the Town House
Check datesWest End Muse
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Culross
  • 18 miles from the Town House
Check datesA hotel studio room with a beige fitted kitchen unit and stainless sink beside a bed dressed in white and teal cushions, a wall of black-framed pictures above a patterned headboard.Old Town Chambers
  • To stay
  • In Edinburgh
  • 19 miles from the Town House
Check datesA round table and chairs stand before tall curtained windows looking onto stone buildings, a sofa and mounted television to the right.Moment George IV Bridge
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Edinburgh
  • 19 miles from the Town House
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in CulrossAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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