Edinburgh

Canongate

The final part of the Royal Mile runs through the old burgh of Canongate, the way of the canons, which was located outside the Edinburgh city wall and entered through the Netherbow Port. This leads to the Abbey Strand and the gates of the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Branching off the Abbey Strand to the south is Horse Wynd, which heads towards the Queen’s Drive and Holyrood Park.

This burgh was formed in 1128 and remained separate to Edinburgh until 1636. It was a slum area even into the 1960s and has been subjected to restoration programme, which is ongoing, particularly at the lower end, near the new Parliament building.

At the eastern end of Canongate, marked by a circle of cobbles in the middles of the road, is the site of the Old Girth Cross. This was the point where proclamations were made and executions took place including that of Lady Warriston in 1600. She was beheaded by guillotine for conspiring to murder her abusive husband.

At the foot of Canongate lies Abbey Strand, which leads to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. From Abbey Strand the Horse Wynd leads south towards Holyrood Park and Arthur's Seat, passing the new Scottish Parliament Building, while Abbey Hill leads north and then west onto Calton Road.

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