The People’s Story

The People’s Story is housed in the Cannongate
Tolbooth, a former tax collecting house, court and prison.  

It is now a museum that focuses on the history of the
ordinary people of Edinburgh.

Oral history, reminiscence and written sources tell the
story of their lives, work and leisure from the late 18th
century to the present day.



The museum is filled with the sights, sounds and smells
of the past.

Feel the despair of the dungeon; the convivial
camaraderie of the ‘pub’; the declarations of the town
crier and the demands of political and social reformers.

Listen to the lively conversation of the tea room; the
gossip of the wash-house; and the bustle of the
cooper’s workshop.

The museum also has an outstanding collection of trade
union and friendly society banners and regalia.

These and other reconstructions are displayed alongside
old photographs, everyday objects from the past and
rare artefacts.  


Opening hours
Monday–Saturday 10am–5pm
Sundays during August only 12 noon-5pm

Admission
Free

Wheelchair accessible. Induction loop. Facilities available
for visually impaired. Nappy changing facilities.