Museum of Edinburgh
Photo: From geograph.org.uk — CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Discover Edinburgh’s rich history through diverse collections in a historic 16th-century building on the Royal Mile.
Planning your visit
The Museum of Edinburgh occupies Huntly House, a sixteenth-century merchant's building on the Canongate stretch of the Royal Mile — a warren of low rooms, uneven floors and narrow stairs that is itself the most informative exhibit about how the old town was built.
The collections cover the city's history: silver and glass produced by Edinburgh craftsmen, pottery, shop signs, and the National Covenant of 1638, the document signed in protest against royal interference in the Scottish church which precipitated decades of conflict.
The most-visited object is a dog's collar and bowl belonging to Greyfriars Bobby, the terrier said to have kept vigil at his master's grave for fourteen years — a story that has been questioned by historians but remains firmly attached to the city.
Admission is free. It sits opposite the People's Story museum in the Canongate Tolbooth. Allow an hour. Bookable options include private guided tours. Current availability is shown below.
Before you book
Where is Museum of Edinburgh?
Museum of Edinburgh is in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. The map on this page marks its exact location.
How long should I allow for Museum of Edinburgh?
Allow an hour. That is the time the collection itself takes at an unhurried pace, before any queue.
Do I need to book Museum of Edinburgh in advance?
Private tours are arranged for a set date and time, so they need booking in advance.
