The round-headed arch between semi-octagonal bastions, the city’s West Port is one of the very few examples of a city gate in Scotland. It was the main entrance to the old city. It was built in 1589 (for £140!) and renovated in 1843, with Edinburgh’s Netherbrow Port as its model. It is one of the first things you see if you arrive at the bus station in City Road. The arches were added in 1843.

Dating to the 14th century, the only thing that remains of the original House of the Dominicans is the north transept of 1525. The vault is the only large medieval example left in the town. The Madras College was founded by Dr Andrew Bell in 1832 in place of an old grammar school. Architect William Burn of Edinburgh grouped the buildings around an arcaded court in Jacobean style.