Wide shot Edinburgh Tolbooth Tavern Clock Royal Mile Scotland

The Old Tolbooth was the main municipal building in the city of Edinburgh, Scotland for more than 400 years. The medieval structure, which was located at the west end of the Luckenbooths on the High Street in the Old Town, was first established in the 14th century by royal charter. Over the years it served a variety of purposes such as housing the Burgh Council, early meetings of the Estates of Scotland and the Court of Session. The Tolbooth was also the burgh's main gaol where public execution and torture were routinely conducted. In 1817 the building, which had been rebuilt and renovated several times, was demolished. Famous inmates held in the Old Tolbooth Thomas Aikenhead Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquis of Argyll Robert Balfour, 5th Lord Balfour of Burleigh Deacon Brodie James Douglas, 4th Earl of Morton John Fian James Graham, 1st Marquis of Montrose Alexander Home, 3rd Lord Home Archibald Johnston, Lord Warriston Alexander Peden Captain John Porteous Agnes Sampson Major Weir