At that time, a Burgh was a New Town Designation Order which was the written act of creation of a town. The first part of the new burgh was probably between the Sandgate and the bridge, and the properties would have had private wharves and owned by local merchants.

The Common Seal of the Burgh shows the castle as being built of stone. The original castle was burned down in 1298 on the orders of Bruce. The castle was then taken by the English in 1301 and held for 11 years before Bruce recaptured it as King Robbert the 1st and held a parliament there in 1312 and in 1315.