Cannongate Tolbooth
Cannongate Tolbooth
4.5
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Speaking of grudges... All that is left of this old prison, demolished in 1817, is a single stone which is still spat upon with contempt even today.
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The area
Neighbourhood: Old Town
Few Edinburghers live in the Old Town, but its labyrinth of dank alleys and steep streets suggests this was not always the case. Today, it’s mostly visitors, tartan-flavoured souvenir shops, and pipers that you’ll find on its cobbled streets. This is the place to get a feel for Auld Reekie (Old Smelly), as the town was once nicknamed, and stroll the Royal Mile, the thoroughfare that links the castle with the royal palace – two of Edinburgh’s great set-piece attractions. But there’s lots more exploring to do here down dozens of little alleys, or wynds, while at night the city’s busiest clubs erupt along the Cowgate which is closed to traffic for this purpose.
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4.5
23 reviews
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Very good
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Pittsburgh, PA127,192 contributions
Sept 2018 • Couples
Canongate Tolbooth is a museum in a very old building right next to the Tolbooth Tavern. The Museum is worth about 15 minutes.
Written 9 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LowellMontgomery
Portland, OR320 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
The Old Tolboot (more properly known as the Canongate Tolbooth), in the heart of The Royal Mile / Canongate, is a distinctive structure which catches the eye of many a tourist and photographer. Just up the road from the Canongate Kirk, you'll see the unusual clock hanging out from the building over the street. Built in 1591, it has an arched passage below it, through which the Tolbooth Wynd (a smaller street) passes. It was the hub of the Canongate Burgh for some time and served multiple functions: courthouse, jail, and town council meeting place, among others.
It wasn't until 1856 that the burgh of Canongate became a part of the city of Edinburgh. The clock, which is one of the building's most striking features was not added until after that, in 1884.
As a photographer, I found the "Old Tolbooth" quite appealing as we walked up the Royal Mile and, had we had more time, I would likely have gone inside the museum which the building houses today (with free entrance, The People's Story, is a museum which tells the history of the regular Edinburgh town-folk over the past few centuries and includes a reconstructed jail cell to show what it might have been like to be held there.)
Note: At this time, none of the other reviews for this attraction are particularly accurate. It is not a church (nor was it ever), it is not a hotel (though there are some places you can stay which include the name "Tolbooth"), and it is not the actual museum or tavern which are housed within its walls (although the museum review is probably appropriate)
It wasn't until 1856 that the burgh of Canongate became a part of the city of Edinburgh. The clock, which is one of the building's most striking features was not added until after that, in 1884.
As a photographer, I found the "Old Tolbooth" quite appealing as we walked up the Royal Mile and, had we had more time, I would likely have gone inside the museum which the building houses today (with free entrance, The People's Story, is a museum which tells the history of the regular Edinburgh town-folk over the past few centuries and includes a reconstructed jail cell to show what it might have been like to be held there.)
Note: At this time, none of the other reviews for this attraction are particularly accurate. It is not a church (nor was it ever), it is not a hotel (though there are some places you can stay which include the name "Tolbooth"), and it is not the actual museum or tavern which are housed within its walls (although the museum review is probably appropriate)
Written 18 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen C
Vancouver Island, Canada53 contributions
Apr 2017 • Friends
The pub was an old historic building built in 1591 on The Royal Mile. It was originally used to collect tolls from travellers , a court house and a prison. I had the Tolbooth Haggis Tower! It was just that, a Tower of mashed potato(tatties) turnips(beeps) and Haggis with whiskey sauce on the side. The portion was huge but absolutely amazing!
Written 24 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gusedinburgh
edinburgh47 contributions
Mar 2015
A fascinating insight of the people of Edinburgh. Journey through hundreds of years of history. " the people's story" well named, and it's free!!!!
Written 3 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anita
Scunthorpe, UK1,533 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
This houses a small museum, that we didn't go in to see, but I love the old building. As the name suggests, this was one of the old toll booths.
Written 29 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PrestonGuild
United Kingdom56,035 contributions
Dec 2017 • Family
We spent some time here on the walking tour.
The building and its clock tower stands out.
It was built at at time when Cannongate was separate from Edinburgh.
At one time, part of the building was used as a jail.
The building and its clock tower stands out.
It was built at at time when Cannongate was separate from Edinburgh.
At one time, part of the building was used as a jail.
Written 16 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Douglas T
Los Altos, CA1,688 contributions
Sept 2018 • Couples
Other than to note that this is a distinctive and beautiful building and now houses a museum dedicated to the common folk of Edinburgh, not much to say here. I would refer all to the input of Lowell Montgomery on TripAdvisor a couple of years ago as to history. Lots of places like this on the Royal Mile but this is a nice one. We cut through the Wind here to get to the train station.
Written 5 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Halkidis
Southwest Finland, Finland4,680 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
This building from 1591 is now occupied by People's Story Museum. Good location in Royal Mile, short walk away from Holyrood Palace and right next to Canongate Kirk(Church). Known for it's clock tower, so worth of pic, when you pass by
Written 10 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dominika D
138 contributions
Feb 2018 • Friends
Stop for a while when you are walking around the Royal Mile. It looks the best in the late afternoon/night, but take a photo of it even when it's the middle of the day :)
Written 22 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ronald_jelle
The Hague, The Netherlands2,622 contributions
Jan 2018 • Family
We passed this building on our way to the queens gallery, it stands out and looks nicer than the surrounding buildings, however.... besides the clock it has no special features.
We didn't go in, so I can't comment on that.
We didn't go in, so I can't comment on that.
Written 8 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What is the subject of the stained glass feature in the tollbooth tavern
Written 18 February 2019
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