9 of the Best Museums in Edinburgh and How To Visit
With its rich history, charming architecture, and fairy-tale setting, it'll come as little surprise that Edinburgh has a thriving cultural scene that's showcased in its museums. And seeing as the capital of Scotland has its fair share of rainy days—about 130 annually—its myriad museums are the ideal place to shelter from a shower.
In Auld Reekie, you'll find everything from collections of medical curiosities and literary memorabilia to world-class artwork and cutting-edge immersive exhibitions. And best of all, the majority of them are completely free to visit, so you'll have more cash to spend on tartan and tatties. Ready yourself for a strong dram of culture—here are the best museums in Edinburgh.
1. National Museum of Scotland
Admire thousands of fascinating objects from British history at the National Museum of Scotland.
You don't need to spend long inside the National Museum of Scotland to see why it's the most popular UK attraction outside of London. Objects in the thousands-strong collection range from a whale skull and T. Rex bones to Lewis chess pieces and a taxidermied Dolly the Sheep, the first mammal ever to be cloned.
You can download a free audio guide to its highlights from the website; however, if you're short on time and want to head straight to the highlights, a private kickstart tour that covers the museum and other Edinburgh gems gives you more bang for your buck when it comes to sightseeing.
Don’t miss: The casket of Mary Queen of Scots.
2. Scottish National Gallery
The Scottish National Gallery’s collection is a who’s-who of art, making it a must-visit Edinburgh museum.
When it comes to roundups of Edinburgh art galleries, the Scottish National Gallery nearly always takes the top spot. The 120,000-strong collection displays masterpieces from some of art’s biggest names, including Vermeer, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Picasso, Monet, Hockney, and Warhol. It also focuses on historic photography, with a collection featuring 55,000 works.
Scottish National Gallery visits can last anywhere from 20 minutes to half a day, so head straight to the highlights on a private tour that lets you customize your Edinburgh adventure.
Don't miss: The 13th-century The Virgin and the Child Enthroned by Lorenzo Monaco.
3. Surgeons’ Halls Museum
The medical artifacts inside the Surgeons’ Halls Museum won’t appeal to the faint of heart.
Boasting one of the largest collections of pathological curiosities in the world, the Surgeons’ Halls Museum is an Edinburgh exhibition with a difference. Housed in a grand historic building, the museum traces advancements in medical technology through exhibits such as a 19th-century dentist’s office complete with instruments, human remains, and a letter from Arthur Conan Doyle.
If exploring this unique museum gets you in the mood for more medical history, opt for a walking tour that delves deeper into Edinburgh’s surgical heritage.
Don’t miss: The interactive dissection table in the Anatomy Theatre.
4. National War Museum
The National War Museum is often called the Edinburgh Castle museum due to its notable location.
Reigning supreme over the capital’s picture-perfect Old Town, Edinburgh Castle is one of Western Europe’s most significant historic sites. But this fortress isn’t just a pretty face—it’s also home to the National War Museum, which exhibits artifacts used by Scottish armies over the centuries, including chemical warfare suits and Highland swords.
The city’s most notable attraction draws millions of visitors every year, so spend less time waiting and more time discovering hundreds of years of history with a skip-the-line ticket and tour package.
Don’t miss: The famous 19th-century war painting The Thin Red Line by Robert Gibb.
5. Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
The huge contemporary collection of the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art is spread across several sites.
Comprising two galleries and two sculpture parks, the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art showcases various media that define the modern era of art. But this museum doesn’t confine its contemporary masterpieces to the indoors; sculptures and installations are scattered throughout the lush green grounds that surround the Modern One and Modern Two museums. Even better, it’s one of many free museums in Edinburgh and serves famously yummy scones in its café.
Don’t miss: The Reclining Figure sculpture by Henry Moore.
6. Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
Colorful photo opportunities abound at the kid-friendly Camera Obscura and World of Illusions.
One of the top family-friendly museums in Edinburgh, the Camera Obscura and World of Illusions boasts five floors and 100 interactive illusion exhibits, topped off with some of Edinburgh’s best views from its panoramic viewing terrace. Bonus: It’s smack-dab in the center of the Royal Mile, so it’s easy to add on to your exploration of the historic center.
For a day out that kids are guaranteed to love, combine these activity-packed attractions with a Harry Potter™ tour of Edinburgh.
Don’t miss: The Vortex Tunnel, the kaleidoscopic colors of which make for excellent photos.
7. Dynamic Earth
The immersive Dynamic Earth museum takes you back to the birth of the Earth.
Dynamic Earth is an Edinburgh science museum that traces the history of the Earth from its stunning location at the foot of the Salisbury Crags, a series of rugged cliffs in Holyrood Park. Galleries are dedicated to everything from the polar ice caps to the deep sea, while the technologically advanced digital dome of the Planetarium is the ultimate place to watch a film.
If Dynamic Earth whets your appetite for the wild, you can set out afterward to the top of Arthur’s Seat on a hiking tour that guides you to the top of the city’s famous peak.
Don’t miss: The Deep Time Machine that lets you witness the Big Bang firsthand.
8. Writers’ Museum
Bookish types will love the Writers’ Museum, tucked away in a cobbled close.
Nestled in a charming 17th-century townhouse in Lady Stair’s Close, the Writers’ Museum is indisputably one of the prettiest hidden museums in Edinburgh. It’s dedicated to three Scottish literary giants: Robert Louis Stevenson, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Burns, who each had a profound impact on British literature.
Highlights of this book lover’s nook include an antique printing press and a chair sat on by Robert Burns, who is celebrated annually on Burns Night. You can learn more about other local literary legends on a literary pub tour that explores the life and works of great Scottish writers.
Don’t miss: A first edition of Scott’s novel Waverly, which Edinburgh’s main railway station is named after.
9. Museum of Edinburgh
The Museum of Edinburgh is a must-visit exhibition for history buffs.
It’s easy to see why the Museum of Edinburgh—known to locals as Huntly House—is rated as one of the best history museums in Edinburgh. Exhibits are scattered throughout the labyrinthine interior of a 16th-century house on the Royal Mile, and feature decorative arts such as 18th-century porcelain, the National Covenant of 1638, and the original blueprints for the New Town.
If the museum sparks your interest in Edinburgh’s past, there’s no better way to learn about the city’s history than on a walking tour led by a local historian.
Don’t miss: The collar and bowl of Greyfriar’s Bobby, the loyal terrier memorialized in Greyfriars Kirk.
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