Kelso - Town Hall

The town of Kelso came into being as a direct result of the creation of Kelso Abbey in 1128. Today the abbey is in ruins and Kelso is a town with a population of about 5500.

The foundation stone for the town hall was laid by the 5th Duke of Roxburghe in March 1816. It was designed in the neoclassical style, and was completed later in the year. The ground floor was originally open, so that markets could be held, with an assembly room on the first floor.

The 8th Duke of Roxburghe transferred ownership of the building to the burgh council in 1902, and it was re-modelled in the Baroque Revival style.