A fine traditional building located on the corner of Commercial Street and Church Street, overlooking Lerwick Harbour in Shetland, the Old Tolbooth dates from 1767-70 and was built on the site of an earlier town-house. Situated on a sloping site, it comprises two storeys on the landward side, extending to three storeys facing the sea and features rusticated quoins and scrolled skewputts. It has been B-listed since 1971. The central belfry, which was removed in 1927, was been replaced as part of a restoration between 2003-05 that has included the building being rendered in an ochre-coloured lime wash. The restoration was supervised by PJP Architects and the contractors were DITT Construction Ltd.
Following its use as a Tolbooth (centre of administration and court-room), it has served as Lerwick Post Office, a Fishermen's Mission, offices for the British Red Cross Society and now, a shore-station and shop for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
