Museum of Edinburgh

What's On

Now

Oct

Nov

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Jan

Imagine if… Celebrating 30 years of Edinburgh's World Heritage Site

Marking 30 years since UNESCO listed Edinburgh's Old and New Towns, with artworks by a Primary 4 class from Granton Primary School made with artist Stephanie Walker after visiting the museum and the Old Town.

Now showing10 Oct – 10 Jan 2027Free

Permanent Collections

The Courtyard: architectural fragments and the Saughton sundial

A walled garden off Bakehouse Close holding carved stone rescued from lost Edinburgh buildings (the Netherbow Port, Trinity College Church, the Wrightshouses) and a sundial inscribed 'TAK TENT OF TIME ERE TIME BE TINT'.

Permanent collectionFree

Scottish Decorative Arts: silver, glass, clocks and porcelain

Cut and engraved glass, intricately worked silver, long-case clocks, costume and 18th-century porcelain, tracing the craftsmanship of Edinburgh and Scottish makers across three centuries.

Permanent collectionFree

The Making of Edinburgh: the National Covenant and the New Town

An original 1638 National Covenant, James Craig's winning plans for the New Town, and a model of the medieval Old Town: the documents and drawings that shaped the city on both sides of the Nor Loch.

Permanent collectionFree

Greyfriars Bobby: the collar and bowl

The brass-tagged leather collar given to Edinburgh's most famous Skye terrier by the Lord Provost in 1867, displayed with his feeding bowl: the real objects behind the city's best-known story of loyalty.

Permanent collectionFree

Nearby

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Dynamic Earth

Children4 min walk

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Museum of Childhood

ChildrenFree5 min walk

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Collective

ArchitectureFree6 min walk

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Dovecot Studios

DesignFree6 min walk

Visitor Information

Is Museum of Edinburgh free to visit?

Yes, general admission to Museum of Edinburgh is free. Free entry for all; donations welcome. Groups of 10 or more should book ahead by emailing museumsandgalleries@edinburgh.gov.uk.. Some special exhibitions may charge a separate ticket, so check the museum's website before visiting.

What are the opening hours of Museum of Edinburgh?

Museum of Edinburgh is open Open daily 10:00-17:00, seven days a week. Last entry 16:30. Free entry, no booking needed.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.

Where is Museum of Edinburgh?

Museum of Edinburgh is located at 142-146 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DD, United Kingdom, in the Old Town area of Edinburgh. The nearest stations are Edinburgh Waverley (rail, approx. 10 min walk), St Andrew Square (tram) and Canongate / Royal Mile (Lothian Bus 35).

What can I see at Museum of Edinburgh?

A maze of 16th-century rooms on the Royal Mile holding the city's own story, and Greyfriars Bobby's collar. Current highlights include The Courtyard: architectural fragments and the Saughton sundial, Scottish Decorative Arts: silver, glass, clocks and porcelain and The Making of Edinburgh: the National Covenant and the New Town.

Do I need to book Museum of Edinburgh in advance?

Museum of Edinburgh is free to enter and most days you can walk in. Free entry for all; donations welcome. Groups of 10 or more should book ahead by emailing museumsandgalleries@edinburgh.gov.uk.. For special exhibitions, weekends, and school holidays, booking a timed slot can help you skip queues. Check the museum's website for current requirements.

When is the best time to visit Museum of Edinburgh?

Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.

Is Museum of Edinburgh accessible?

The main entrance has one step; due to the historic building there is no lift or ramp and upper levels are reached by stairs only. Level access from the entrance to the information desk, ground-floor toilets and courtyard. Some areas have low lighting. Sensory packs and a quiet sanctuary space are available; a British Sign Language tour of the museum is offered.