Tolbooth Museum, History museum in Aberdeen, Scotland.
The Tolbooth Museum occupies a former jail building from 1616 to 1629 that connects to Aberdeen Town House on Union Street. The spaces inside include prison cells, police equipment, and displays explaining the court system and how the building was used.
The building was constructed in the early 1600s and served as a jail and administrative center for centuries. During the 1745 Jacobite uprising, it held many prisoners awaiting trial after their defeat at Culloden.
The exhibits show how people's understanding of justice and punishment changed over time. Visitors can see how the community dealt with crime and what role prisons played in keeping the city ordered.
The museum sits on Castle Street in the city center and is easy to reach on foot. Visitors should check the current opening hours before going, as they change between weekdays and weekends.
The collection displays medieval execution tools, including an original guillotine blade that was actually used in the city. These objects give visitors a stark reminder of how harsh criminal justice was in earlier centuries.
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