How much does The People's Story Museum cost?

Nothing. The People's Story Museum is free to visit.

Museum

The People's Story Museum

Old Town, Edinburgh

Hours

Wed to Sun: 10:00 to 17:00
Mon, Tue: Closed

Winter opening hours as read on 11 November 2026, Wednesday to Sunday. Last entry 16:30. Closed Sunday 15 November.

Source: cultureedinburgh.com, checked 11 Nov 2026.

The Tolbooth building on the Canongate that houses The People's Story — Photo: Roy Luck / Flickr (CC BY 4.0)

A free museum in Canongate Tolbooth on the lives of working people in Edinburgh from the 18th century on, with recreated scenes such as a bookbinder's workshop and a wartime kitchen.

Cost Free

Time needed 1 hour

Free Rainy day

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View on the interactive map Google Maps directions

What's on near The People's Story Museum

Upcoming events within a ten-minute walk of The People's Story Museum, from the weekly Edinburgh events calendar.

Festival

Edinburgh Science Festival 2027

3 Apr to 18 Apr 2027 Venues across Edinburgh, Old Town

Science festival held 3 to 18 April 2027 across the city.

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Stay nearby Hotels near Venues across Edinburgh, 3 to 5 April

Festival

Edinburgh International Children's Festival 2027

29 May to 6 Jun 2027 Venues across Edinburgh, Old Town

Performing arts festival for children, 29 May to 6 June 2027.

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Stay nearby Hotels near Venues across Edinburgh, 29 to 31 May

Festival

Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival 2027

16 Jul to 25 Jul 2027 Venues across Edinburgh, Old Town

Jazz and blues festival, 16 to 25 July 2027.

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Stay nearby Hotels near Venues across Edinburgh, 16 to 18 July

Festival

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2027

6 Aug to 30 Aug 2027 Venues across Edinburgh, Old Town

The Fringe's 80th edition runs 6 to 30 August 2027 at venues across the city.

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Stay nearby Hotels near Venues across Edinburgh, 6 to 8 August

Film

Edinburgh International Film Festival 2027

12 Aug to 18 Aug 2027 Venues across Edinburgh, Old Town

Film festival, 12 to 18 August 2027.

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Stay nearby Hotels near Venues across Edinburgh, 13 to 15 August

Smaller local events nearby

Imagine if... Celebrating 30 years of Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site Exhibition
On now, until 10 Jan 2027 · Museum of Edinburgh, Canongate
Exhibition at Museum of Edinburgh, Canongate.
Free · Map · Source: Culture Edinburgh
Fresh History: Objects recently added to the City’s collection Exhibition
On now, until 31 Mar 2027 · Museum of Edinburgh, Canongate
Exhibition at Museum of Edinburgh, Canongate.
Free · Map · Source: Culture Edinburgh

See every upcoming event in Edinburgh

Nearby

Museum of Edinburgh Museum · 1 min walk A free museum on the Royal Mile with permanent collections and special exhibitions on the city's history. Canongate Kirk Church · 1 min walk The parish church of the Canongate on the lower Royal Mile. Dunbars Close Garden Park · 1 min walk A garden laid out in the style of a 17th-century garden, entered along a narrow cobbled close off the Canongate. Scottish Poetry Library Museum · 1 min walk Scotland's national poetry library, with free spaces for work and study. Scottish Parliament Landmark · 4 min walk The home of Scottish democracy at the foot of the Royal Mile. Dynamic Earth Museum · 4 min walk A science centre and planetarium that tells the story of the planet from its beginning.

Around Old Town

Castle, Royal Mile and the closes

The Old Town runs down a ridge from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood. It sits within a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the museums, closes and kirks here are mostly a short walk from each other.

Old Town has 32 places on the Roam Edinburgh map: 17 museums, 5 bars, 3 landmarks, 3 churches and cathedrals, 1 shop, 1 park or garden, 1 market and 1 pub. Read the Old Town guide.

Scottish Storytelling Centre and John Knox House Museum · 4 min walk
Museum of Childhood Museum · 5 min walk
Whistle Binkies Nightlife · 6 min walk
St Cecilia's Hall Museum · 6 min walk
The Royal Mile Landmark · 6 min walk
The Jazz Bar Nightlife · 7 min walk
City Art Centre Museum · 7 min walk
Fruitmarket Museum · 8 min walk

Good to know

What are the opening hours of The People's Story Museum?: Wed to Sun 10:00 to 17:00; Closed Mon, Tue. Winter opening hours as read on 11 November 2026, Wednesday to Sunday. Last entry 16:30. Closed Sunday 15 November.
How much does The People's Story Museum cost?: Nothing. The People's Story Museum is free to visit.
How long do you need at The People's Story Museum?: Plan for 1 hour.

Stay near The People's Story Museum

Browse live availability and compare prices around Old Town.

See hotels near The People's Story Museum on Booking.comPrices are for the night of Saturday 14 November. You can change the dates on Booking.com. If you book, Roam Edinburgh earns a small commission from Stay22 at no extra cost to you.