Introduction to Canon Gate: Canon gate is the section of the avenue after passing the intersection of St. Mary Street. The pedestrians on the street gradually become sparse. Along the way, you pass downhill past the School of Education of the University of Edinburgh (Moray House) and the Museum of Social History (Canongate Tolbooth). It was originally the Old Friar's Gate Prison, the Kirk of the Canongate and the New Scottish Parliament Buildings.
Before 1856, Friarsgate was not only the name of a street, but also the name of an independent town outside the surrounding city walls.