Tolbooth Museum, Aberdeen (must see)

The Tolbooth Museum in Aberdeen is a 17th-century former jail that now serves as a fascinating museum dedicated to the city's history of crime, punishment, and law enforcement. Built between 1616 and 1629, the Tolbooth is one of Aberdeen's oldest buildings, located on Union Street and attached to Aberdeen Town House. Originally a prison, it housed a range of prisoners, including those accused of witchcraft, Jacobite rebels, and even local children sent to America as indentured laborers in the 18th century.

The museum offers visitors a glimpse into the grim reality of historical imprisonment, featuring original cells with barred windows and doors, along with displays of items related to law and order. Among the most notable artifacts is Aberdeen's first guillotine, used in the mid-16th century to execute criminals, which is now on public display. A haunting episode in the Tolbooth’s past involves Marion Hardie, an Elgin woman accused of witchcraft in the 1630s, who was imprisoned, strangled, and burnt in front of the building.

During the Jacobite risings of 1715 and 1745, the Tolbooth played a significant role as a place where supporters of James Francis Edward Stuart declared their allegiance and where over 96 Jacobite prisoners were held following the Battle of Culloden. An interactive display in the "Jacobite Cell" allows visitors to meet Willie Baird, a prisoner in 1746, who recounts his story alongside his fellow rebels, bringing this turbulent period of Scottish history to life.

The museum's unique atmosphere, complete with its original jail cells, offers a sobering yet captivating experience, providing a powerful insight into the evolution of justice and punishment in Aberdeen. The Tolbooth Museum remains a popular destination for both locals and tourists, having celebrated its 400th anniversary in 2016. It has also gained notoriety through ghostlore stories and an appearance on the paranormal TV show Most Haunted in 2009.