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.  

 

Details

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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. 

3 images showing an art area in Museum of Edinburgh

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. 

Sensory room corner showing wooden shelves with books and baskets of toys and accessories

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.

An orange backpack with various sensory toys, including ear defenders, fidget toys, a notepad and pencil and emotion cards

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

Museum of Edinburgh BSL Tour

BSL Tour of the Museum of Edinburgh

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

Museum of Edinburgh is a 4 star museum. 

Exhibitions

Events