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.
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 19 Apr to Mon 8 Sep 2025
Events
-
Family Activity Area in Museum of Edinburgh
Free Family Activity Space in the Heart of the Museum
Wed 14 Dec 2022 to Tue 24 Dec 2024 -
BSL Interpreted Tour of Museum of Edinburgh
BSL Tour to Celebrate Edinburgh900: City of Ideas
Thursday 20 March 2025, 6:00pm -
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 -
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 12 April 2025, 10:00am -
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
Saturday 19 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 -
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 -
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 July 2025, 10:15am -
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