History Collections
The Edinburgh Museums and Galleries’ history collections trace the life of the City from 13th century pot fragments, through James Craig’s 1766 plans for the New Town and Robert Burns’ writing desk, to items from the 21st century campaign for a Scottish Parliament.
The collections feature well-known objects like the National Covenant and Greyfriars Bobby’s collar, as well as thousands of objects from ordinary people’s daily lives. These range from tram tokens to teddy bears.
Growing up through the ages is explored through our Museum of Childhood collections, which include toys and games as well as school, health and hobby objects. Objects relating to some of Scotland’s greatest writers – Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson – are included in the Writers’ Museum collection.
Queensferry, Leith and Newhaven are just three of the historic locations important to Edinburgh for which we hold collections. From photographs of the Forth Rail Bridge to maritime items and colourful costume, our objects capture the past of these places.
The Childhood collections cover childhood in Britain from the 18th to 21st centuries, as well as objects from other countries.
- School Days
- Games
- Childrens' Clothes
- Books
- Home Life
These collections show the people of Edinburgh coming together to campaign, protest, celebrate and change their city.
- The Demon Drink
- Rainbow City
- For King and Country
- Turbulent Times: Politics and Religion
- Receiving Royalty
- The Athens of the North
Our ‘at home’ collections contain objects that you, your parents, grandparents and older generations may have used in the home.
These quirky collections give us a glimpse behind closed doors to see Edinburgh characters making history through good works and devilish deeds.
- Greyfriars Bobby
- Rakes and Rogues
The making of beer, biscuits and books is only part of the story of working life in Edinburgh.
- The City of Print
- Raise the Banners High
- Spit and Polish
- The Prosperous City
Collections relating to the once busy seaport of Leith.
- The Burgh of Leith
- From Sea to Shore
This collection tells of the working and social life of the close-knit former fishing community of Newhaven.
- Fishing
- Fishwives
- Fishwife Choirs
The Queensferry collections relate to daily life in the former Royal Burgh of Queensferry and neighbouring Dalmeny.
- The Queens' Ferry
- The Forth Bridge
- The Forth Road Bridge
- The Ferry Fair and Burry Man
- A History of the Collections
The Writers’ rich collections include books, manuscripts, portraits and fascinating personal items relating to Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson.
- Robert Burns
- Robert Louis Stevenson
- Sir Walter Scott
Calton Hill boasts an outstanding collection of monuments and buildings, telling the story of space, time and the enlightenment.
- Charles Piazzi Smythe
- Clocks
- Cooke Telescope
- Thomas Henderson
- Time Ball
- Transit Telescope
- Parliament Cairn
These collections span the prehistoric to post-medieval periods. They are rich in Roman material from the fort at Cramond and medieval remains from Edinburgh and its port of Leith.