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Timekeeping at the tollbooth

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Canongate Tollbooth,  Edinburgh,  March 2016

The distinctive Canongate Tollbooth sits on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, in what used to be the separate burgh of Canongate, outside the city’s walls.  It was built in 1591 as the courthouse, burgh jail and meeting place of the town council.

In 1856 the burgh was incorporated into the city of Edinburgh and in 1875 the city architect Robert Morham took on the restoration and remodelling of the tower.  The clock that juts out over the Royal Mile, aiding anyone who has lost track of time as they enjoy the delights of the city, was not added until 1884.

The building now homes a pub and the People’s Story Museum.


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Copyright Debbie Smyth, 3 December 2017

Posted as part of Square Sky and Blue Sky

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