Arbroath Sheriff Court, 88, High Street, Arbroath

2-storey and attic, 3-bay, classical, symmetrical former Burgh Chambers with advanced centre bay with first floor window flanked by paired Doric attached columns supporting frieze with carved rosettes and surmounted by parapet with clock framed by carved swags. Polished ashlar, rusticated at ground floor. Angle corner piers at ground floor with paired pilasters above. Balustraded aprons to first floor windows. Balustraded parapet. Centre bay with 1844 consoled corniced doorpiece and tripartite first floor window with Doric column-mullions and round arched fanlight. Slightly recessed, 2-storey, single bay with pend at ground floor to right, added in 1844. Tripartite windows to rear elevation, probably 1844.

Plate glass in timber sash and case windows. Hipped, slate roof.

The interior, seen in 2014, is arranged around a double height former Burgh Council chamber (now courtroom 1) at first floor. Entrance vestibule with mosaic tiled floor and timber and glazed entrance doors with etched sidelights. The entrance hall has a geometric plaster ceiling and a curved stone stair case with decorative cast iron balusters and timber handrail. This courtroom has a marble mantelpiece, coombed ceiling with mutuled cornice and three elaborate ceiling roses, panelled timber to dado, panelled door and window-architraves. Above the door is a small balcony with a moulded balustrade. The rest of the interior has been modified for use as court house, including witness accommodation and Jury room. (Historic Environment Scotland List Entry)

8 June 2016: External inspection finds the former sheriff court, closed in May 2014, remains disused. Overall the building appears to be in fair condition but there are a number of defects to the stonework on the front elevation: two columns are damaged below capitals; an apron balustrade is missing in part; ashlar to the right-hand pilasters has areas of damage, as has the principal door surround. Balusters at parapet level are rusting. There is green algae growth to the rusticated stonework at ground floor level.

8 October 2018: The Courier reports (8/10/2018) on the former court building - the article notes a local group, Courthouse Community Trust, is fundraising with a view of acquiring the property for conversion to form a muilt-use venue for the town.

21 July 2022: The Arbroath Courthouse Charitable Community Trust is partnering with Hospitalfield to use the building as artist studios between May and October of 2022.