Dumbarton Sheriff Court

James Gillespie Graham with some modification by Robert Scott, 1824; William Spence wings added 1861, and extensions to north and south by Duncan McNaughton in 1895 and 1898. 2-storey, 9-bay, symmetrical, U-plan classical sheriff court house with 1824 taller and advanced central, 3-bay section with a further advanced central pedimented bay. The 2-storey extension to the east is not considered of special interest in listing terms at the time of review (2014-15).

Sandstone ashlar, channelled at ground. Base course, band course, cill courses and cornice and with a blocking course to central bays and balustrades to outer wings. Central pedimented Doric-columned porch with round-arched doorway and paired Ionic pilasters at first floor. Central first floor window recessed in round-headed panel flanked by windows with aprons and consoled cornices. The outer bays have pilastered and corniced door surrounds with round-arched doorways.

Predominantly 4-pane glazing in timber sash and case windows. Piended grey-slated roofs.

The interior was seen in 2014. The court house was refurbished circa 1998 and whilst some of the court furnishings and layout of the office spaces were altered at this time, a number of early and mid 19th century features remain. The 1824 courtroom (Court No 1) and the 1898 courtroom (Court No 2) are situated on the first floor. Courtroom 1 has some panelled timber doors with consoled cornices and an anthemion and palmette frieze. There is a small gallery with delicate cast-iron balustrade. Court No 2 is entered by a replacement door which is situated in a former Venetian window frame. The court has timber panelled doors with carved, lugged architraves, timber panelling and a timber panel behind the sheriff's bench. There is a timber framed ceiling with pendants. Some other rooms with decorative cornicing and timber panelled doors. Timber panelling to the stair well with dog-leg stair with timber balusters and decorative square-plan newels and pyramidal newel posts. Other spiral staircase with metal balusters.

Low, coped boundary wall and railings to west with pair of square-plan gatepiers.