If you're looking to get a handle on the fascinating history of the Scots, start with the best museums in Edinburgh
It shouldn’t come as a great surprise to discover that Edinburgh houses a wealth of culture across its gorgeous streets. The Scottish capital is an excellent starting point for grappling with the Scots’ proud history and fearless future, with a few quirky extras thrown in for good measure. As any great capital should, Edinburgh’s museums do a grand job of shining a light on what makes the nation tick.
The best museums in Edinburgh are just another fabulous reason to add this tremendous city to the bucket list. Auld Reekie (Scots for ‘Old Smoky,’ an affectionate nickname for Edinburgh) is about enjoying the good things in life, but it is also about digging deep into history to understand who we are.
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This piece was updated by Arusa Qureshi, a writer based in Edinburgh. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.
What is it? A tribute to the lives of Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson.
Why go? Edinburgh is rightfully proud of its writing and publishing heritage, so of course it has a museum celebrating the lives of some of its leading literary lights. Accessed via the Makar’s Court – where famous quotes are inscribed in the flagstones – exhibits at the Writer’s Museum include Burns’s writing desk and Scott’s ‘Waverley’ printing press.
What is it? Scotland’s premier museum of natural and anthropological history.
Why go? The big daddy of Edinburgh museums is an eye-catching mix of old and new: the main hall of the National Museum of Scotland, a grand, airy space ringed by balconies across three storeys, dates from 1866, while the more modern sandstone section was opened in 1998. Its contents, too, are wide-ranging: from dinosaur skeletons, Egyptian sarcophagi and Tibetan prayer wheels in the old galleries to artefacts from Scottish history in the new wing.
What is it? A concert hall that is also home to one of the most important historic musical instrument collections in the world.
Why go? This Georgian venue, originally built by the Edinburgh Musical Society in 1762, underwent a £6.5 million renovation in 2017, bringing together the University of Edinburgh’s huge collection of musical instruments. St Cecilia’s Concert Room regularly hosts concerts and other public events, but the real gem is the Music Museum, which has more than 400 instruments from across the globe, from world-famous harpsichords to eighteenth-century guitars.
What is it? An impressive collection of childhood ephemera from throughout the ages.
Why go? An expansive exhibition of retro toys and games would be enticing enough for visitors of a certain vintage. But the Museum of Childhood is packed out every weekend because kids love it, too. Interactive exhibits, dress-up areas and frequent special events are on hand to engage young minds, leaving grown-ups to coo over Buzz Lightyear dolls and Andy Pandy puppets.
What is it? A chronicle of Scotland’s conflicts.
Why go? It can sometimes be easy to overlook the fact that Scotland’s castles – for all their undoubted picturesque charm – are, first and foremost, fortresses designed to withstand attack from enemy forces. The National War Museum, located within the walls of Edinburgh Castle, keeps the concept of conflict fresh in the mind, from old Jacobean battles to the great wars of the twentieth century.
What is it? A museum with commanding views across the Firth of Forth.
Why go? This hidden gem offers a fascinating insight into the construction of the bridges and a chance to learn more about the history of Queensferry and Dalmeny. The Queensferry Museum showcases everything from social history and folk traditions to civic engineering.
What is it? A museum packed with optical illusions, interactive exhibits and intriguing photography.
Why go? Just below Edinburgh Castle, you’ll find the oldest purpose-built attraction in the city, with six floors of exhibitions waiting to be explored. There are optical illusions on every floor, designed to make your brain hurt, plus puzzles, a mirror maze, and a vortex tunnel. The centrepiece, however, is still the Camera Obscura itself, which projects a ‘virtual’ tour of the city for visitors on the rooftop of the building.
What is it? Delve into the lives of ordinary Edinburgh folk over the years.
Why go? It’s all well and good remembering the generals, monarchs, politicians and other figures of note. But what about the average Joe? The People’s Story explores exactly that: the lives of the working classes throughout Scottish history. View photographs and objects and read first-hand accounts.
What is it? Discover the history of the Scottish capital.
Why go? It’s amazing we’ve got this far into a list relating to Scotland’s history and haven’t mentioned either Mel Gibson or Diana Gabaldon yet, so here goes. Yes, Huntly House – home to the Museum of Edinburgh – was featured in season three of the, ahem, ‘historic’ TV series Outlander. It’s also home to city plans, historical documents and the collar and bowl of Greyfriars Bobby. If you’re serious about the city, get involved.
What is it? A collection of artefacts and exhibitions exploring Edinburgh’s medical history.
Why go? The story of Burke and Hare is a popular example of Edinburgh’s grisly past: two graverobbers who graduated to murder when they realised that fresher corpses fetched higher prices from the unscrupulous doctors at the university medical school. The Surgeon’s Hall doesn’t shy away from such lurid details nor is it shy about exploring Edinburgh’s major role in the development of modern medicine.
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