Camera Obscura and World of Illusions

About the museum

The camera obscura on Edinburgh's Royal Mile goes back to Maria Short, who opened a popular observatory on Calton Hill in 1835 to show the Great Telescope of the instrument maker Thomas Short, whose daughter she claimed to be, and soon added a camera obscura. Under pressure from the council she had to close it in 1849, and in 1853 she moved the business to a seventeenth-century tenement on Castlehill, to which she added two floors, calling it Short's Observatory.

After her death the building was bought by the polymath Patrick Geddes, who renamed it the Outlook Tower and turned it into a centre of learning to widen the horizons of local residents. In 1977 David Hayes and his company Visitor Centres Ltd took over the running of the tower, and it has been a family business ever since.

Today the attraction, known as Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, fills five floors with more than 100 hands-on exhibits about light, perception and illusion, such as mirror rooms, a mirror maze and illusions unique to the building. At the top, a rooftop terrace gives panoramic views of the city, and a camera obscura show presents Edinburgh's landmarks in daylight, with a projection show after dark or in poor weather.

Highlights

• Camera obscura show presenting the landmarks of Edinburgh
• Rooftop terrace with panoramic views over Edinburgh
• Magic Gallery with optical illusions
• Light Fantastic and Bewilderworld on the lower floors
• Over 100 hands-on illusions and a mirror maze

Permanent exhibitions

• Rooftop Terrace and Camera Obscura show – On floor 6, a rooftop terrace with panoramic views of Edinburgh and the camera obscura show.
• Magic Gallery – On floor 5, a collection of optical illusions and hands-on interactive exhibits.
• Light Fantastic – On floor 4, interactive tricks and illusions, many unique to this attraction.

Founded

1835

Operated by

Visitor Centres Ltd

Admission & discounts

Prices shown are for 2026; the 2027 adult price is £25.95. Tickets can be bought in advance online or at the front desk subject to availability. Visitors with a valid ScotRail ticket can claim a free child entry for each paying adult when travelling before 11:00 or after 18:00.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The exhibition is in a listed six-storey building with 98 steps and no lift, so wheelchairs cannot be taken around the building; a wheelchair can be left in the foyer and visitors who can manage the stairs with a companion can still visit (two steps lead into the building). A handrail runs along one side of the staircase, seating is provided on every floor and walking stick stools can be borrowed. The toilets can only be reached by stairs. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are welcome. Sensory support includes ear defenders, sensory backpacks, a sensory map and a quiet space on floor 4. A virtual tour and an AccessAble guide are available online.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Baby changing facilities
• Kids’ birthday parties: not available

Over 100 interactive exhibits suit all ages, and seasonal trails run at Easter and Halloween. Pushchairs cannot be taken around the building, so buggies are left in a buggy park in the foyer, and baby carriers can be borrowed free of charge (3.5 kg to 14.5 kg). Baby changing facilities are in the toilets, and nappies are available on request. Breastfeeding is welcome throughout and a quiet space is on floor 4. The attraction does not offer private party rooms.

Getting there & parking

Edinburgh city centre has a Low Emission Zone. Taxis usually drop off at the door, but when Castlehill is closed for castle events they stop at the bottom of Castlehill on the Royal Mile. Nearest bike parking is at West Parliament Square and the Grassmarket.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Wi-Fi

Free wifi is available to all visitors; the access code is given at the admissions desk. There is no café, but snacks are sold in the gift shop and the ticket gives discounts at nearby cafés and restaurants. Items can be stored at the front desk for the duration of the visit, without liability.

Events & venue rental

The attraction has no private space or catering for children’s parties.

Plan your visit