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small church in front of Canon Court was once a school
(before being enlarged) which was the first school attended
by Robert Louis Stevenson in about 1852. There is a
small plaque to this effect on the front wall of the
building.
According to historical records, Canonmills is an area
once owned by the canons of the Abbey of Holyrood where
mills once stood, used in the processing of grain on
behalf of the canons of the Abbey, who imposed a canon
law that all baxters (bakers) must bring their grain
to this site. (There is a plaque on the wall of the
garage opposite with some details of the name ‘baxtersland’,
also associated with this area).
Close by to Canon Court is the Royal Botanical Gardens
of Edinburgh, which is a few minutes walk to the right
of our entrance. The Water of Leith has a waterside
walk to the burgh of Leith in one direction, and to
the adjoining historic area of Stockbridge the other
way. To walk to Princes Street or to explore the historic
New Town, we recommend guests cross Canonmills, and
walk up the hill towards the Centre of the City, which
takes around 15 minutes.
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