Other Burghs

The earliest burghs in Scotland were created in the 12th century under King David I. The chosen towns enjoyed special privileges which were awarded by means of charter. Privileges included being allowed to make (and enforce) localised laws, to allow local merchants to set up trading consortiums and hold local markets, the town could elect it's own town council and decide to fortify their town the way they saw fit - usually by encircling the town with a wall, burghs could even raise their own money through tolls. Most of these new burghs were close to Royal Castles or important abbeys. David I may have seen it as a way of enforcing his rule over some of the more lawless parts of his kingdom.
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At the centre of many burghs in south west Scotland would have been the mercat cross which would have been surrounded by the homes of the burgesses and merchants who benefited most from the towns new privileges.

The 16th and 17th centuries saw the establishment of 'Burghs of Barony' and many towns in south west Scotland received Charters - Newmilns in 1491, Auchinleck in 1507, Cumnock in 1509,Riccarton in 1638. Many towns prospered after being granted their Charters, trading in agriculture, livestock and textiles. By the 18th century coal and textile production dominated industrial expansion. Many towns and burghs became famous for specialised industries; Stewarton was famous for its bonnets and the Irvine Valley was renowned for it's lace industry.

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Book: Kilmaurs Cartulary & Council Minutes
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Plaque showing the former arms of the Burgh of Newmilns
This plaque bears the old coat-of-arms of the East Ayrshire town of Newmilns in the Irvine Valley. 
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Stranraer Provost hat
Part of the Stranraer Provost's ceremonial dress, worn at civic events.
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Stranraer Provost Robe
Stranraer Provost Robe, the ceremonial dress worn at civic events.
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Stranraer Burgh staff
The Stranraer Burgh staff was carried by the Bailie of Stranraer during processions and civic events
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Stranraer Burgh Court book 1684 - 1710
Held by Stranraer Museum as part of the Dumfries & Galloway Archives.
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Framed painted glass from Stranraer Provost's Lamp
This is a glass pane from one of the Stranraer Provost’s lamps. It is hand painted with the crest of
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Wigtown Baillie's Chain of Office
The Chain of Office of  Wigtown's Senior Baillie.  The burgh's coat of arms is shown in decorated en
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Wigtown Provost's Chain of Office
The Chain of Office of the Provost of Wigtown.  Made by James Chricton of Edinburgh, it carries the
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Burgh of Cumnock & Holmhead Roll of Provosts
This framed certificate lists all the Provosts of the Burgh of Cumnock and Holmhead between the year
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Horn used by Burgh Officer, Sanquhar
Horn once used by the Burgh Officer when taking cows to Sanquhar Moor.
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Cumnock and Doon Provost's Hat
This hat was presented to Provost James Neil and his successors in office in 1929 by James Richmond
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Handbell used by the Burgh Officer, Sanquhar
This is still used each year on the eve of the Riding of the Marches.  The Burgh Officer, accompanie
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Provost's Chain, Burgh of Cumnock and Holmhead
This chain was presented to the burgh by Alexander Gemmell to mark its 50th anniversary in 1916. Gem
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Burgh of Cumnock and Holmhead Certificate
This certificate honours Ex-Provost James Keir Hardie McTurk who served Cumnock and Doon District Co
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Provost's Lamp, Cumnock and Doon District
Decorated gas lamps such as this were situated in many Scottish towns outside the houses of the town
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Prestwick Freeman's Ladle
Freemen's copper ladle. Copper bowl with cast iron hooked handle bolted to bowl. Probably blacksmith
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Set of Old Keys for the Tolbooth, Ayr
Set of 7 keys for the Old Tolbooth, Ayr (the ring is not original). The keys are of various sizes /
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The Silver Arrow, Kirkcudbright
This is a model arrow given to the Incorporated Trades of Kirkcudbright by a local merchant William
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Silver casket containing the burgess tickets of Provost and Mrs Halliday of Lochmaben
Ornate silver box with hinged lid.   Provost and Mrs Halliday of Esthwaite, Lochmaben were given the
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Silver casket containing the burgess ticket of Robert Threshie Reid, Baron Loreburn
Ornate silver box with lid on a wooden base.   This chest was presented to Robert Threshie Reid, Bar
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Doulton Lambeth salt glaze decorated jug
Doulton Lambeth salt glaze decorated jug which at one time belonged to Dr William Kay, Provost of Sa
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Cream jug, bearing the Kirkconnel coat of arms
Small white cream jug, bearing the Kirkconnel coat of arms with the inscription 'AMO FORWARD/KIRKCON
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Burgess ticket or scroll for Robert Threshie Reid, Baron Loreburn
Burgess ticket granting Robert Threshie Reid, Baron Loreburn and Lord High Chancellor the freedom of
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Brass imperial measures of the Burgh of Annan
Imperial weights and measures have been used in Britain since the Roman times and were standardised
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Newton Stewart Civic Robes
 The Newton Stewart civic robes are of purple cloth and ermine trimming; the set of three – provost
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Wooden punch bowl
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Bailie Chain of Office, Newton Stewart Burgh (1)
Regalia worn by the Senior Bailie in the Burgh of Newton Stewart.  The centrepiece picture is of the
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Provost's chain of office, Newton Stewart Burgh
Regalia worn by the Provost of the Burgh of Newton Stewart.  The centrepiece depicts the Newton Stew
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Provost's chain of office, Stranraer Burgh
Regalia worn by the Provost in the Burgh of Stranraer.  The centrepiece depicts the crest of the Bur
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Bailie chain of office, Newton Stewart Burgh
Regalia worn by the Junior Bailie in the Burgh of Newton Stewart.  The centrepiece depicts the Town
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Stranraer Burgh Medal
This gold medal has the Stranraer town crest and the legend "ROYAL BURGH OF STRANRAER. INCORPORATED
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Extract of Matriculation of the Arms of the Burgh of Galston
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Burgh of Galston Embossing Stamp
This stamp was used for embossing official paper documents.
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Stewarton Burgh Embossing Stamp
This stamp was used to emboss official paper documents.
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Newmiln's Provost's Chain of Office
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