Discover Edinburgh’s fascinating history through the Museum of Edinburgh’s wide and varied collections. In exploring the Museum’s maze of 16th century buildings, you will see iconic items, beautiful objects and learn fascinating facts and gruesome tales.
This free museum is easy to locate on the historic Royal Mile and with a wide range of stories and objects, this museum has something for young and old, locals and visitors.
In addition to the permanent collections, there is a regular programme of special exhibitions hosted at the museum.
Entry to the museum is free.
Explore
Centuries of Edinburgh’s history are waiting to be discovered from the Old and New towns. Highlights including the National Covenant of 1638, which led to civil war and the collar and bowl of Greyfriars Bobby, the Skye terrier whose dogged devotion to his dead master touched the hearts of many and inspired numerous books and film adaptations. Also on display, from 12.00 to 2.00 are designer of the New Town James Craig’s iconic plans. First World War commander Earl Haig’s extensive collections are also on display.
The Museum also houses spectacular collections of decorative art which reveal a rich history of Scottish craftsmanship, from beautifully cut and engraved glass and intricately made silver from Edinburgh and Canongate, costume, longcase clocks, along with Scottish pottery and Scottish porcelain dating from the 1760s.
The Museum of Edinburgh is housed in Huntly House, one of the iconic and historic buildings on the Royal Mile, in the Canongate area, toward the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Scottish Parliament. It is well served by regular and city sightseeing buses.
Outlander at Museum of Edinburgh
Did you know that Huntly House, home to the Museum of Edinburgh, and Bakehouse Close feature in Season 3 of the popular TV series, Outlander?! Pay a visit today and walk in the steps of Jamie and Claire Fraser.
Family fun
Visit our family learning space in the Museum of Edinburgh. An activity space where you can explore the museum using our arty worksheets and detail detective quests. Enjoy our reading corner and explore our replica object area. Our baskets are full of exciting textures and art materials for you to explore.

Sensory Room
Welcome to our new family sensory room in the heart of the Museum of Edinburgh. A sanctuary space that fosters solace, creativity and exploration. For anyone individually or as a family group visiting the museum who would like a quiet space to relax, they are most welcome.
The room encourages using the senses and has a variety of picture books to read, fidget toys and sensory toys to explore and soft furnishings with textures to feel and experience. It's our mission to make our venues user-friendly for all visitors and create spaces that foster well-being.
The room is on the first floor of the museum just as you reach the top of the spiral staircase and turn left through the first door. Our fairy lights will lead you in.

Family Sensory Backpacks
Our vision is to mainstream the range of services for all autistic visitors, their families and carers, across all ages in the City of Edinburgh. Our sensory packs are now available for anyone visiting who is neurodivergent or has additional support needs (ASN). It's our mission to make our venues user-friendly for all. We have launched sensory backpacks in the Museum of Edinburgh for families to borrow and use during their visit. The pack contains:
- Ear Defenders
- A range of Fidget Toys
- Notepad and Drawing Pencil
- Emotion Cards
Please ask at reception desks to borrow the pack during your visit to the museum. The Museum of Edinburgh has two backpacks.

The Museum of Edinburgh Access Guide
Click on the link below to download our comprehensive access guide and find out how you can get to and around the Museum of Edinburgh.
Museum of Edinburgh BSL Tour
For all accessibility enquiries please contact the venue on:
+ 44 (0) 131 529 4143
museumsandgalleries@edinburgh.gov.uk
Beautiful collection of artifacts in a quirky museum that is well away from the busy, touristy end of the Royal Mile. Keith, Tripadvisor
Exhibitions
-
Nurture Through Nature with Children’s Books
A Museum of Edinburgh exhibition
Sat 26 Apr to Sun 7 Sep 2025
Events
-
Family Activity Area in Museum of Edinburgh
Free Family Activity Space in the Heart of the Museum
Thu 12 Dec 2024 to Thu 31 Dec 2026 -
Sensory Room in The Museum of Edinburgh
A Quiet Space for anyone who needs it
Tue 25 Feb 2025 to Fri 31 Dec 2027 -
BSL Interpreted Tour of Museum of Edinburgh
BSL Tour to Celebrate Edinburgh900: City of Ideas
Thursday 20 March 2025, 6:00pm -
Expressing the Elements: Poetry Workshop for adults
Poetry workshop to complement the exhibition 'Four Seasons in Faith: Worship in Edinburgh Throughout the Year'
Sunday 23 March 2025, 2:00pm -
Braxton's 'Threads of the Universe’: Wellbeing Sessions in the Museum Courtyard
Somatic Yogic Movement, Breathwork & Meditation to accompany the 'Nurture through Nature with Children’s Books' exhibition at the Museum of Edinburgh
Saturday 5 April 2025, 10:15am -
Reviving the Ancient: Experience a modern Heathen Blòt and learn about this ancient religious practice
MoE special event to complement the exhibition 'Four Seasons in Faith: Worship in Edinburgh Throughout the Year'
Saturday 5 April 2025, 2:00pm -
Leili and the Blue Balloon: Bahá’í-inspired Storytelling for Children
Children's storytelling session to complement the exhibition 'Four Seasons in Faith: Worship in Edinburgh Throughout the Year'
Friday 11 April 2025, 2:00pm -
Introduction to Iconography
A talk to complement the exhibition 'Four Seasons in Faith: Worship in Edinburgh Throughout the Year'
Saturday 12 April 2025, 11:00am -
Icons on Ammo Boxes
A talk to complement the exhibition 'Four Seasons in Faith: Worship in Edinburgh Throughout the Year'
Saturday 12 April 2025, 2:00pm -
Rakhi Bracelet Making
Creative workshop to complement the exhibition 'Four Seasons in Faith: Worship in Edinburgh Throughout the Year'
Sunday 13 April 2025, 2:00pm -
Body art: Henna sessions
MoE special event to complement the exhibition 'Four Seasons in Faith: Worship in Edinburgh Throughout the Year'
Sunday 13 April 2025, 2:00pm -
The Art & Craft of Lacemaking
Drop in Lacemaking Taster at Museum of Edinburgh
Thursday 24 April 2025, 1:00pm -
Wild Food: What to forage in spring
Family Nature Foraging Workshop in association with the 'Nurture through Nature with Children’s Books' exhibition at the Museum of Edinburgh
Sunday 27 April 2025, 2:00pm -
Braxton's 'Threads of the Universe’: Wellbeing Sessions in the Museum Courtyard
Somatic Yogic Movement, Breathwork & Meditation to accompany the 'Nurture through Nature with Children’s Books' exhibition at the Museum of Edinburgh
Saturday 3 May 2025, 10:15am -
Finding Nature in the City: An Introduction to Urban Forest Bathing in the Museum Courtyard
Exploring Mindfulness in Nature to accompany the 'Nurture through Nature with Children’s Books' exhibition at Museum of Edinburgh
Saturday 24 May 2025, 10:00am -
Remembering the Gardens of Childhood
Family Nature Workshop in association with the ‘Nurture through Nature with Children’s Books’ exhibition at the Museum of Edinburgh
Sunday 1 June 2025, 2:00pm -
Braxton's 'Threads of the Universe’: Wellbeing Sessions in the Museum Courtyard
Somatic Yogic Movement, Breathwork & Meditation to accompany the 'Nurture through Nature with Children’s Books' exhibition at the Museum of Edinburgh
Saturday 7 June 2025, 10:15am -
The Art & Craft of Lacemaking
Drop in Lacemaking Taster at Museum of Edinburgh
Saturday 7 June 2025, 1:00pm -
Finding Nature in the City: An Introduction to Urban Forest Bathing in the Museum Courtyard
Exploring Mindfulness in Nature to accompany the 'Nurture through Nature with Children’s Books' exhibition at Museum of Edinburgh
Saturday 14 June 2025, 10:00am -
Characters from Nature
Family Folklore Workshop in association with ‘Nurture through Nature with Children’s Books’ at Museum of Edinburgh
Saturday 26 July 2025, 10:30am -
Characters from Nature
Family Folklore Workshop in association with ‘Nurture through Nature with Children’s Books’ at Museum of Edinburgh
Saturday 26 July 2025, 1:30pm -
Stop Animation Folklore Character Workshop
Adult Creative Workshop in association with ‘Nurture through Nature with Children’s Books’ at Museum of Edinburgh
Sunday 27 July 2025, 10:30am -
Dandelions and Other Lost Words: Family Storytelling
Family Storytelling session in association with the 'Nurture through Nature with Children’s Books' exhibition at the Museum of Edinburgh
Saturday 9 August 2025, 2:00pm -
Dandelions and Other Lost Words: Family Storytelling
Family Storytelling session in association with the 'Nurture through Nature with Children’s Books' exhibition at the Museum of Edinburgh
Saturday 9 August 2025, 3:00pm -
Off the Beaten Path: A Storytelling Journey into Childhood’s Imagined Worlds
Family Storytelling session in association with the 'Nurture through Nature with Children’s Books' exhibition at the Museum of Edinburgh
Saturday 16 August 2025, 2:00pm -
Off the Beaten Path: A Storytelling Journey into Childhood’s Imagined Worlds
Family Storytelling session in association with the 'Nurture through Nature with Children’s Books' exhibition at the Museum of Edinburgh
Saturday 16 August 2025, 3:00pm -
Braxton's 'Threads of the Universe’: Wellbeing Sessions in the Museum Courtyard
Somatic Yogic Movement, Breathwork & Meditation to accompany the 'Nurture through Nature with Children’s Books' exhibition at the Museum of Edinburgh
Saturday 23 August 2025, 10:15am -
Braxton's 'Threads of the Universe’: Wellbeing Sessions in the Museum Courtyard
Somatic Yogic Movement, Breathwork & Meditation to accompany the 'Nurture through Nature with Children’s Books' exhibition at the Museum of Edinburgh
Saturday 6 September 2025, 10:15am -
Finding Nature in the City: An Introduction to Urban Forest Bathing in the Museum Courtyard
Exploring Mindfulness in Nature to accompany the 'Nurture through Nature with Children’s Books' exhibition at Museum of Edinburgh
Sunday 7 September 2025, 10:00am