On Canongate on the right, the People’s Story Museum is a museum housed in the historic Canongate Tolbooth. Their collection tells the story of the people of Edinburgh from the late 18th century to the present day through oral history, reminiscence and written sources. The museum also houses Britain’s largest collection of reform flags and banners. These 144 items include banners in support of political reform, trade unions and the anti-apartheid movement.

The Edinburgh Museum in Huntly House, opposite The People’s Story, contains an original copy of the National Covenant of 1638. This document reaffirmed Reformed faith and Presbyterian discipline and denounced the attempt by King Charles I and William Laud, archbishop of Canterbury, to force the Scottish church to conform to English liturgical practice and church governance. This museum also contains the collar and feeding bowl once used by Greyfriars Bobby, of whom more later.