Museum of Edinburgh

2467 Reviews

Star Travel Rating

5/5

Review type

Things to do

Location

Date of travel

2013

Product name

Product country

Product city

Travelled with

Husband

Reasons for trip

What an enjoyable visit we had to this amazing museum. I call it amazing because it has a maze of rooms crammed with collections illustrating the historical and cultural life in Edinburgh, presented in a variety of ways.

It is on Canongate on the famous Royal Mile in Edinburgh's old town that the Museum of Edinburgh can be found.

Walking down Canongate the brightly painted museum caught my eye. My first impression was that it would be a small museum, it looked as if the museum was housed in a standard size shop. Stepping inside I realised how wrong I was, the museum extends to a large adjoining building, there is also an exterior courtyard with seating and old fashioned lamp posts.

The Museum is accessed via the Museum shop which is full of appealing goods. Steps from the shop lead to the first floor where the museum begins, there is a warren of rooms to explore, each one detailing different aspects of Edinburgh's history and culture.

I learnt the bright ochre exterior walls and red paintwork which had attracted my attention are the colours it would have been painted in the past. Inside is equally as vibrant. Looking up to the roof, the beams are covered with Latin transcripts in gold. The writings which are also on the outside of the building are of sayngs from Edinburgh's past such as the cries of the Royal Mile tradesmen.

The museum illustrates Edinburgh's past in a variety of ways to suit everyone. For example for those who like details and maps, there are architectural drawings of James Craig's plans in 1766 for the building of Edinburgh New Town, as well as details of various trades and professions in Edinburgh through the ages. For those that like visual displays, there is a host of silverware, ceramics, art, absolutely everything, including a preserved wooden sewer pipe and various curiosities. For children there is The Learning Space, providing hands on materials, arts, crafts, dressing up clothes, fun activities.

Entry to the museum is free (donations are accepted). However, for an additional £4 you can watch a 15 minute programme on Edinburgh's past, in a darkened room with a large screen embedded on the floor. You either sit or stand and look down at the screen where maps and pictures of Edinburgh and its life are shown and verbally described.

Edinburgh's Royal Mile. has a huge variety of shops, cafes and museums and is just a short walk from Waverley Station.

Silver Travel Advisor

Join the club

Become a member to receive exclusive benefits

Our community is the heart of Silver Travel Advisor, we love nothing more than sharing ideas, inspiration, hints and tips between us.

Come feel the love on a Princess cruise. You’ll enjoy the MedallionClass experience others simply can’t, and it’s exclusively for everyone. Visit incredible destinations and be involved in the best experiences around each one of them.

Experience more with Princess and connect effortlessly with the world around you, spend time away with loved ones, take a moment for yourself, and fall in love with your holiday of a lifetime, every time.

With over 20 years of experience, Wendy Wu Tours has mastered the art of creating exceptional, fully inclusive tours which showcase the very best of each destination.

Each tour is led by a world-class guide, who will highlight the very best of their homeland, and includes authentic cultural experiences so you are not just seeing the sights, but truly immersing yourself in local life.

Say hello to ease at sea. Ambassador’s purpose is simple: they want to inspire every guest to experience authentic cruising, effortlessly and sustainably. Passionate about protecting our oceans and destinations, their ships comply with the highest industry emission standards and there is no single-use plastic on board.

On your voyage, you will receive the warmest of welcomes from the Ambassador community as you sail upon the friendliest ships afloat.

This is a global co-operative co-owned by local partners using real local experts and guides, which supports local communities, environments and wildlife. It offers travellers quirky places to stay, activity holidays and learning experiences. Not In The Guidebooks gets travellers off the beaten track into local culture with day experiences and longer, immersive adventures.

From wild wellness breaks in Wales to painting in Portugal, sustainable adventures in Mauritius to food safaris in Brazil, this is immersive, exciting travel.

Seabourn’s five intimate ships carry guests to the heart of great cities, exclusive yacht harbours and secluded coves around the world, while two new purpose-built expedition ships will combine exhilarating adventures in remote destinations with the sophisticated amenities of the world’s finest resorts at sea.

From the luxury of all suite accommodations to complimentary fine wines and spirits, and a no tipping policy, Seabourn exemplifies the definition of travelling well.