Museums within 5 miles of Edinburgh

In its landmark building, occupying more than half of Chambers Street, the National Museum of Scotland was formerly two different museums – the Royal Museum, built in 1861, and the more modern Museum of Scotland, completed in 1998. The facilities were…

Sitting atop the volcanic Castle Rock, Edinburgh Castle dominates the city skyline and is the most popular paid visitor attraction in Scotland. Events at the castle include regular re-enactments of events from its history, occasional concerts by…

This Royal Mile museum contains a collection of toys, clothes and memorabilia from the last century, spread over three floors. Sound recordings bring to life the atmosphere of a playground, and a large section of the ground floor is a dedicated toy shop.

The University's collection of anatomical teaching models, death masks, and the remains of infamous bodysnatchers Burke and Hare. Open to the public for free on selected open days only – usually the last Saturday of each month.

Europe's longest artificial ski slope is the perfect place to learn or hone skiing and snowboarding skills. Mountain bikers can take the chairlift before enjoying the new 600 metre downhill mountain bike trail. The centre also houses a competitively…

Situated in a series of interconnected 16th- and 17th-century buildings on the Royal Mile, the Museum of Edinburgh depicts the city's origins, history and legends. Among notable artefacts is the National Covenant and the feeding bowl and collar…

Just off the Royal Mile in a courtyard paved with inscriptions from some of Scotland’s literary greats, the museum is dedicated to three of Scotland’s finest writers – Robert Louis Stevenson, Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott – and includes a rich…

Just off the Royal Mile in Trinity Apse, the only surviving fragment of the 15th century Trinity College Church and Hospital, the centre provides an opportunity to make rubbings from a variety of replica monumental brasses, such as figures of medieval…

Located in Edinburgh’s New Town, this elegant late-18th century Georgian town house is typical of the area’s architectural style, and contains a fine collection of furniture, porcelain, silver and pictures from the period. Features include a 'below…

Completed in 1620, Gladstone’s Land at the top of the Royal Mile is a typical example of a medieval Old Town tenement. Visitors can step back in time to bustling and turbulent 17th-century Edinburgh, explore Thomas Gladstone’s home and to discover the…

This museum on the Royal Mile, containing many decorations and paintings from the 500 years since it was first built, is reputed to be the home of 16th-century Protestant reformer John Knox. The building is occasionally used by the adjacent Scottish…

The museum inside this fire station tells the story of the oldest fire brigade in the UK, formed in 1824. See genuine artefacts including horse-drawn fire engines and early motor models.