Museum of Edinburgh

About the museum

The Museum of Edinburgh occupies Huntly House at 142–146 Canongate, a complex of linked houses from the late sixteenth century whose yellow exterior is a landmark on the Royal Mile. In 1647 it was bought by the Incorporation of Hammermen, the guild of metalworkers, who extended it to plans by the architect Robert Mylne. When the building was threatened with demolition, the city bought it in 1924 and turned it into a museum, which long went by the name Huntly House Museum.

The rooms form a maze of low-ceilinged interiors arranged along the story of the city from its beginnings to the present. Highlights include the National Covenant of 1638, the collar and bowl of the dog Greyfriars Bobby, James Craig's original plans for the New Town and the personal collection of Field Marshal Earl Haig, including a reconstruction of his headquarters on the Western Front. Decorative art shows Scottish craftsmanship in cut and engraved glass, silver from Edinburgh and the Canongate, costume, long-case clocks and Scottish pottery and porcelain from the 1760s onwards.

At the back, a quiet courtyard off Bakehouse Close holds architectural fragments, some more than 500 years old, from lost Edinburgh buildings such as the Netherbow Port and Trinity College Church, along with a sandstone sundial and a volunteer-tended garden. The museum is part of the City of Edinburgh Council's museums and galleries and belongs to a collection of about 220,000 Edinburgh-related items, four parts of which are Recognised Collections of National Significance.

Highlights

• National Covenant of 1638
• Collar and bowl of Greyfriars Bobby
• James Craig's original plans for Edinburgh's New Town
• Earl Haig's personal collection and a reconstruction of his Western Front headquarters
• Scottish glass, silver, clocks, pottery and porcelain
• Courtyard with architectural fragments from lost Edinburgh buildings

Permanent exhibitions

• Edinburgh's story – A series of historic rooms tells the story of the city, with the National Covenant of 1638, Greyfriars Bobby's collar and bowl, plans for the New Town and Earl Haig's collection.
• Decorative arts – Scottish glass, silver, costume, long-case clocks, pottery and porcelain show the craftsmanship of Edinburgh and the Canongate.
• Courtyard – A quiet courtyard with architectural fragments from lost Edinburgh buildings, a sandstone sundial and a volunteer-tended garden.

Operated by

City of Edinburgh Council (Culture Edinburgh)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

The museum is free to visit.

Accessibility

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

The main entrance has one step. Because of the historic building there is no lift and no ramp, and the upper levels can be reached by stairs only. There is level access from the entrance to the information desk, the ground-floor toilets and the courtyard. Some areas have low lighting. A British Sign Language guide to the museum is available online, sensory packs can be borrowed by neurodivergent visitors or people with additional support needs, and a quiet sensory room is open to individuals and families.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

A family learning space offers worksheets and detective quests for exploring the museum, a reading corner and an area with replica objects, with baskets of textures and art materials to handle. Sensory packs can be borrowed.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on the right-hand side of the Canongate as you walk down the Royal Mile towards Holyrood Palace, opposite the People's Story Museum. There is no bicycle parking at the museum, but racks are nearby.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The Museum of Edinburgh is listed among the venues that Culture Edinburgh offers for hire.

Plan your visit