Canongate Tolbooth

Canongate Tolbooth is a listed stone building on the Royal Mile featuring a central clock tower and four pedimented dormers positioned along its facade. The structure displays a round-arched passage leading to Tolbooth Wynd and decorative wrought iron elements on its walls.

Built in 1591, the building originally collected tolls from merchants entering the city and served as a courthouse and jail. It operated as a municipal center for centuries before undergoing major renovation in 1875 that added significant architectural details.

The building now hosts the People's Story Museum, which focuses on everyday experiences of Edinburgh residents across different periods. Visitors encounter objects and spaces that show how ordinary people lived and worked through the centuries.

The building sits on the Royal Mile and is easily reached on foot in this central location. It offers a convenient stop during a walk through the historic old town, with access available during regular visiting hours.

The building once functioned as a jail with cells hidden within its stone walls, remnants of which remain visible today. This layered use shows how such buildings served multiple civic purposes simultaneously within a single structure.

Location: City of Edinburgh

Location: Edinburgh

Address: The Royal Mile, 163 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8BN

GPS coordinates: 55.95150,-3.18000

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:44