Edinburgh Pub Guide: The Canons' Gait

Canons' Gait Viewed Across Canongate

The lower reaches of the Royal Mile are more properly known as Canongate. Here you can find a number of Edinburgh's most interesting pubs, and the Canons' Gate is certainly amongst them.

The Bar Interior, Looking Towards the Door Canons' Gait Interior

David I founded a monastery at Holyrood in 1128 and the road followed by the Canons as they moved between the monastery and the walls of Edinburgh further up the hill became the Canons' Way or Canons' Gait.

Lamp Outside Pub

Information Panel Outside Pub

For many centuries the area known as Canongate remained a separate burgh, outside Edinburgh's city walls. This made it a much more spacious and desirable place to live for the great and the good of the city: though at times it could also make it a dangerous place to live. The area was sacked repeatedly, most comprehensively by Richard II in 1380.

This history is remembered in the name of The Canons' Gait. The building housing the pub is located on the site of Plainstanes Close, so called because it was paved like Canongate itself. In the 1500s Mary Queen of Scots' french tailor Jaques de Soulis lived here.

The pub itself is on two levels. A large and friendly lounge occupies the street level, and there is a function room downstairs.

Address: 232 Canongate, EH8 8DQ
Telephone: 0131 556 4481
Opening hours, normal: 12.00 noon to 11.00pm
Opening hours, Friday: 12.00 noon to 12.00 midnight
Opening hours, Saturday: 12.00noon to 7.00pm
Opening hours, Sunday: 12.30pm to 11.00pm
Real ales: Guest beers
Whisky choice:
Cocktails:
Hot drinks:
Food:
Food service times: 12.00 noon to 3.00pm
Music:
Policy on children's access:
Disabled access:
Clientele:
Outdoor seating:
Other attractions:
Features in: Good Beer Guide 2002; CAMRA's Edinburgh & SE Scotland Real Ale Guide (2004)
If there is anything above that needs updating, please let us know.