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Sir Walter Scott's Courtroom on Selkirk's Market Place on a sunny day: the old town hall with its clock tower and tall spire, and Scott's statue on a plinth in front.
Scottish Borders

Sir Walter Scott's Courtroom

Selkirk's town hall of 1804, now a museum with Sir Walter Scott's courtroom rebuilt inside.

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Welcome

Sir Walter Scott's Courtroom is closed from November to March, and for the rest of the year it makes a lovely hour in Selkirk.

You'll spot the old town hall straight away, with its 100-foot spire over the Market Place and Scott's statue outside. Scott became Sheriff in 1799 and held the post until he died in 1832, and the town called him the Shirra. The old jail cell sits in reception as you arrive, with two halberds among the things inside. In the courtroom, Scott's figure is up behind a wooden barrier, Jamie Inglis the mace bearer is seated to your right as you come in, and more figures sit in and around the dock. The Law and Order case holds things once used to punish criminals, and some of Scott's own belongings are on show. Children can pick up an activity pack at the desk, and the shop sells books and souvenirs. Halliwell's House Museum is about five minutes' walk away.

A short drive awayThe Waterwheel CafeA cafe on the Philiphaugh estate by the Ettrick Water, next door to the estate's Salmon Viewing Centre.6 min by roadSee itThe Waterwheel Cafe's covered timber veranda at Philiphaugh, with folding tables and chairs along the deck and the cafe's glazed doors on the right.
Before you go

The 2026 season runs from 28 March to 31 October; the dates for 2027 are not posted yet.

Price
Free, with donations welcome.
Getting in
There is no level access: four short flights of shallow steps up from the street, then six stone steps to the door. Inside, it is all on one floor.
Parking
The free West Port car park, five minutes on foot, for longer stays; a short-stay car park on Market Square. Both have two blue-badge bays.
Toilets
None in the museum; there are public toilets on the road up to the West Port car park.
Dogs
Assistance dogs only.
Contact
museums@liveborders1.org.uk, or 01750 720761.

Opening hours

Their website
Monday
11am–4pm
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
11am–4pm
Friday
11am–4pm
Saturday
11am–4pm
Sunday
noon–4pm

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Where it is

On the Market Place in Selkirk, TD7 4BT.

Close byThe places nearest the courtroom, by road.
  1. Abbotsford, Home of Sir Walter ScottAbbotsford, Home of Sir Walter ScottSir Walter Scott's romantic house by the Tweed near Melrose, which he built and filled with his library and collections, and where he died in 1832.5 miles 10 min by road
  2. Stone tower with sash window above a white-framed door and lanternOld Gala HouseThe 16th-century home of the Lairds of Galashiels, now a free museum and gallery with a painted ceiling of 1635 and gardens.6 miles 13 min by road
  3. The Great Tapestry of Scotland's modern pale stone gallery with a zigzag roofline on a sunny street corner in Galashiels.The Great Tapestry of ScotlandA purpose-built gallery in Galashiels for 160 stitched panels made by more than 1,000 people, telling Scotland's story from 8500 BC to today.6 miles 14 min by road
  4. Melrose AbbeyMelrose AbbeyThe magnificent red sandstone ruin of Scotland's first Cistercian abbey, founded in 1136, where Robert the Bruce's heart is buried.8 miles 15 min by road
  5. Inside the Trimontium Museum: Roman cavalry armour, helmets, a painted shield and a silver face-mask helmet in dark cases lit red.Trimontium MuseumA museum on Melrose's Market Square telling the story of Trimontium, the Roman fort a mile and a half east at Newstead.8 miles 14 min by road
  6. The Yarrow Stone, a grey slab spotted with lichen, inside its wooden enclosure beside a farm track, with an information board in front and green hills behind.Yarrow StoneA Latin memorial of the 400s or 500s to two British princes, in the Yarrow valley in the Scottish Borders.10 miles 17 min by road
  7. Dryburgh AbbeyDryburgh AbbeyA remarkably complete medieval ruin by the Tweed, with some of the best Gothic church architecture in Scotland and the grave of Sir Walter Scott.12 miles 21 min by road
Directions
Motorcycle parked outside Three Hills Coffee Co, with a red Coffee Roastery doorCafeThree Hills Coffee0.3 miles
The red and cream shopfront of Cameron's on Selkirk's High Street, its sign reading Camerons Oven Fresh Bakery, with Selkirk's Home Bakery painted on the window.CafeCameron's Bakery0.3 miles
The Haining across its loch on a bright day, the Georgian house and an arcaded range beside it mirrored in the still water among tall trees.AttractionsThe Haining0.7 miles
A power loom weaves dark tartan cloth on its bed, mechanical arms and bobbins visible above the woven fabric in a mill workshop.ShoppingLochcarron of Scotland1.1 miles
Modern entrance with vertical "Lochcarron" lettering beside a stone church buildingAttractionsLochcarron Visitor Centre1.1 miles
The Waterwheel Cafe's covered timber veranda at Philiphaugh, with folding tables and chairs along the deck and the cafe's glazed doors on the right.CafeThe Waterwheel Cafe2.0 miles
Gravel path between flowerbeds leads to a wooden door in a stone wallAttractionsHarmony Garden7.6 miles
Apple trees in blossom in the orchard at Priorwood Garden, with the red stone ruin of Melrose Abbey beyond the wall.AttractionsPriorwood Garden7.7 miles
Whitewashed dining room with black chairs, wine racks and pendant lightsRestaurantsThe Hoebridge7.7 miles

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The Daily for 24 October, from Scotland with love. a stone arch bridge crossing a rushing gorge below a moss-covered cliffside building, autumn trees on both banks

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Stay nearby

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

A grey stone farmhouse with several chimneys stands against rolling hills, a wildflower meadow in the foreground.The Scullery
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Yarrow
  • 8 miles from Sir Walter Scott's Courtroom
Free 13–15 NovThe House in the Hill at dusk, its turf roof over walls of local stone and glass, a bedroom lit inside and the hot tub at the corner.The House in the Hill
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Jedburgh
  • 17 miles from Sir Walter Scott's Courtroom
Free 29–31 OctPlaces to stayEvery stay in the Scottish BordersAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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