Stumpy Tower, the 1827 jail and courthouse in the middle of Dalrymple Street, is Girvan's oddest building, and getting inside depends on the volunteers. Girvan Attractions opens it to the public in a few ways through the year, and all of them are free.
Summer opening
In a normal year Stumpy opens through the summer months. There are four floors of exhibits, free to visit. There is no lift, and the original stone stairs are steep and old, so for anyone who cannot manage them there is an interactive display on the ground floor.
Girvan Attractions lists the summer opening as closed for 2026, with 2027 to be confirmed. The events below are listed separately.
Free school and group visits
Groups of tourists, community groups and schools can arrange special visits and educational tours, free of charge, by contacting Girvan Attractions.
The Stumpy Jail Open Day
Part of Civic Week in late June. The open day tells the jail's history with re-enactments of court scenes, has exhibits on show, and offers the chance to try axe throwing. In 2026 it was on Sunday 21 June, 11:00 to 16:00, at Stumpy Corner. Free.
Doors Open Days in September
Stumpy also opens as part of Doors Open Days, Scotland's contribution to the European Heritage Days. It is a free national festival every September, when hundreds of buildings across the country open their doors.
- Saturday: 11:00–15:00
- Sunday: 11:00–16:00
Those were the 2026 hours. Girvan Attractions had not posted the exact September dates on its website, so check their Facebook page or the Doors Open Days listings for the year.
Spooky Stumpy at Halloween
Spooky Stumpy is Stumpy's Halloween night, part of an evening of community Halloween events put on by local groups and residents working together. Volunteers bring the jail's history to life with court trials and local prisoners, which makes for a properly scary night out.
- When: a Saturday evening in October, 18:30 to 20:30 (the 2026 date was not posted on the website)
- Where: Stumpy Jail
- Cost: free
It is meant to be scary, so judge for yourself whether it suits very young children.
Finding it
Stumpy stands where Dalrymple Street meets Knockcushan Street, a few minutes from the harbour. There is no parking at the building; the harbour and seafront car parks are free and close by — see parking. The McKechnie Institute is a couple of hundred yards along the street and makes a good pairing with Stumpy.
Supporting Girvan Attractions
None of this happens without volunteers, and none of it is free to put on. Girvan Attractions pays for its events through grants, sponsorship, advertising, donations and its own fundraising, so if you have enjoyed one of them, there are simple ways to give something back:
- Donate online through the link on the Girvan Attractions website.
- Drop something in a collection tin while you are out in the town — there are tins in a long list of Girvan shops, pubs and cafés. See the full list.
- Come to their fundraisers — bingo nights, psychic nights, raffles and the monthly lucky draw on their Facebook page.
- Lend a hand. Their committee meetings are open to everyone. Email info@girvanattractions.co.uk or message them on Facebook.
