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Around town



The Town Hall And Square Robert Dick's House St Peter's Kirk The Harbour And Caithness Flagstone Thurso Castle The Turnpike The Beach And Esplanade The Salvation Army Hall
Dr Smith's Fountain The Masonic Lodge St Andrew's Church Rotterdam Street Traill Street The Meadow Well Sir John Square The Library
The Mall The Road Bridge The Episcopalian Church Pennyland House Bishop's Castle Victoria Walk



The town hall and square

The funds for the construction of this building came from the estate of the late Alexander Henderson who bequeathed £1000 to the police commissioners for the erection of a new town hall. A decision was taken to leave the funds until at least £2000 had been raised so that a more suitable building could be financed.

In 1868 the foundation stone for the town hall was laid, and the building was opened in 1871 at a cost of £2500 in total. The building also housed a library and museum, the latter containing the Robert Dick collection.

In 1908 the foundation stone for the Carnegie Public Library was laid to the right of the town hall and the building was opened in 1910 at a total cost of £2000. The square in which the town hall is situated was once the site of busy markets described as the "cheapest in the north," and the stalls on both sides of high street held a wide range of goods.

Within the square were also the "Fish Stane" and "Cocky Stane" where fish and other produce could be purchased. The "Cocky Stane" has long since disappeared but the "Fish Stane" is now on display in the Town Hall.

The square was also the site where whipping, stoning, and hanging took place for those who took the lord's name in vain or were guilty of some other crime.




Design and programming by Marc Farr