Canongate

A walk down Canongate is interesting because one sees so much of older, 17th century Edinburgh. Actually that isn't strictly speaking true, since until 1856 it was actually a separate burgh from Edinburgh. The brass studs in the road mark where there was a gate in the city walls - Netherbow port. Canongate was outside

The Scottish Storytelling Centre (a rather horrid plain building) has a sign from the long demolished gate dating from 1606 as well as the gate's bell

The Worlds End pub also marks this distinction between being in and out of Edinburgh

This is Chessels Court with mansion flats behind dating to 1748

Old Playhouse Close, as yes there was a theatre here in the 18th century

St Johns Street

Lodge Canongate Kilwinning, believed to contain the worlds oldest purpose built masonic meeting room.

The rather smart HQ of St John Scotland

This  (and above) is a Shoemakers sign - the strange looking knife under the crown is for cutting leather

This is Moray House, built in the early 17th century. Cromwell and Charles I and II were supposed to have visited it

Possibly the stand out building down this road is the Old Canongate Tolbooth which dates from 1591 although the clock is a 19th century addition

Sugarhouse Close, where, yes, sugar was refined

Canongate Kirk, the church for the burgh which opened in 1691. There is a fine and large graveyard behind it 

Most illustrious of those buried here is economist Adam Smith. There is even a path cut in the grass just so you can visit it without having to search for it.

Memorial to Robert Burns girlfriend "Clarinda"

Statue of poet Robert Fergusson who died early even by dissolute poet standards - 24.

The Mercat Cross, where public proclamations were made

Opposite is the 16th century Huntly House (now the Museum of Edinburgh)

Its also called the speaking house as there are five Latin mottos on its front. It was originally built as three smallish houses

Bakehouse Close - need I say what used to be here?

Dunbar Close Garden - a feast of topiary. Would be nice to see it in summer

Panmure House, once home to Adam Smith

Reids Court, now with an 18th century villa

Now we hit "heavy" industry - the remains of the old breweries who were tucked just behind Canongate, all now flats. Craigwell Brewery below and Blair Brewery beneath that

Right at the end of Canongate you reach Holyrood Palace. I toyed with going in but I had limited time and there was a £25 price tag

Opposite is the notorious eyesore of the Scottish Parliament, renowned for having gone no less than ten times over budget. And looks so awful for an awful lot of money

Next to Holyrood there is a nice physic garden, actually the first botanic gardens of Edinburgh - now moved to beyond Stockbridge

Russell House - like much else in Canongate used for a gift shop at street level but actually another late seventeenth century house.

The very charming Whitehorse Close

Queensbury House, part of the Scottish Parliament complex, but rather more venerable, dating from 1681

And finally a rather imposing Victorian primary school.