Surgeons' Hall Museums

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Edinburgh: City of Medicine — 300 Years of Edinburgh Medical School

Made with the University of Edinburgh's Anatomical Museum for the medical school's 1726-2026 tercentenary: a Shetland blood horn, Charles Darwin's class card and the cranial cast of William Burke. Runs to Easter 2027.

Now showingFrom 3 Apr£10

Blood and Guts: The Twists and Turns of Edinburgh's Medical History

A 70-minute guided walk through the Old Town (chloroform tea parties, pioneering women, grave robbing and Burke and Hare) with museum entry included. Weekends at 14:00 to 29 November 2026; age 10+.

Now showing21 Sept – 29 Nov

Permanent Collections

The History of Surgery Gallery

Edinburgh's part in modern surgery from 1505, through James Syme, Joseph Lister and James Young Simpson, plus the Burke and Hare case and an interactive Anatomy Theatre restaging Scotland's first public dissection of 1702.

Permanent collection£10

Body Voyager

An interactive gallery on computerised and robotic surgery, split into head, torso and limbs, with instruments from Intuitive Surgical and Stryker tracing the jump from early robotic tools to today's systems.

Permanent collection£10

Wohl Pathology Gallery

One of the world's largest collections of human pathological anatomy, redisplayed in 2015 over two floors of Playfair's building: conservation and medical history below, surgical specialties above in 1800s-style cases.

Permanent collection£10

The Dental Collection

One of the most comprehensive dental collections in the UK, built on the bequest of Glasgow dentist and historian John Menzies Campbell: rare instruments, models, prints and paintings from the earliest days of dentistry to now.

Permanent collection£10

Nearby

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Dovecot Studios

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Talbot Rice Gallery

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National Museum of Scotland

HistoryFree4 min walk

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Museum of Childhood

ChildrenFree5 min walk

Visitor Information

How much does Surgeons' Hall Museums cost?

Standard adult admission to Surgeons' Hall Museums is £10. Adults £10; students, NHS staff, over-60s and disabled visitors £6.50; children 5-15 £5.50; under-5s free. Family tickets £17-£25. Annual pass £26 (£15 concession). No pre-booking for standard visits — tickets are bought at Level 3 Museum Reception.. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.

What are the opening hours of Surgeons' Hall Museums?

Surgeons' Hall Museums is open Open daily 10:00-17:00, last entry 16:30. Closed from 17:00 on 23 December 2026 until 4 January 2027, reopening Tuesday 5 January 2027.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.

Where is Surgeons' Hall Museums?

Surgeons' Hall Museums is located at Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Nicolson Street, Edinburgh EH8 9DW, Scotland, in the Southside / Nicolson Street area of Edinburgh. The nearest stations are Surgeons' Hall, Nicolson Street (Lothian Buses 3, 5, 7, 8, 14, 29, 30, 31, 37, 49), Edinburgh Waverley rail station (10 minutes on foot) and Newington Road (Lothian Buses).

What can I see at Surgeons' Hall Museums?

Five centuries of surgery behind Playfair's columns: pathology jars, Burke's skin, and Scotland's oldest museum collection. Current highlights include The History of Surgery Gallery, Body Voyager and Edinburgh: City of Medicine — 300 Years of Edinburgh Medical School.

Do I need to book Surgeons' Hall Museums in advance?

Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends, school holidays, and special exhibitions. Tickets are normally on the museum's website, and a pre-booked timed slot helps you avoid queues at the entrance.

When is the best time to visit Surgeons' Hall Museums?

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.