THE 10 BEST Edinburgh Specialty Museums
Specialty Museums in Edinburgh
Category types
24 places sorted by traveler favorites
Speciality Museums • Natural History Museums
Speciality Museums • Science Museums
Southside & Holyrood
Speciality Museums • Science Museums
Southside & Holyrood
Speciality Museums
Old Town
Speciality Museums • History Museums
Old Town
Speciality Museums
Old Town
Speciality Museums • Historic Sites
Old Town
Speciality Museums • Children's Museums
Speciality Museums
Princes Street and Gardens
Speciality Museums • Architectural Buildings
New Town
Speciality Museums
Southside & Holyrood
Speciality Museums
Speciality Museums • Theatre & Performances
Old Town
What travelers are saying
- littlerae0fsunshineMaitland, Australia174 contributionsVisited after getting tickets on line. Lots of people as Edinburgh Castle was closed due to the visit by King Charles III. And it was raining heavily, so not good at all. Very good to see how homey it was & why the Queen was so upset to see it scuttled. You can visit everywhere on board & but their own freshly made Fudge - but it's very expensive! They have a great gift shop & being inside a shopping centre, there are cafes & eateries. Great place for the history but not on a wet day.Written August 11, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- DunelmArtsAberdeen, UK1,094 contributionsMy main reason for visiting the museum was the "Beyond the Little Black Dress" exhibition, which was excellent. This exhibition had an admission charge, but the rest of the museum is free, although donations are welcomed. Pick up a floor plan at the entrance which wil help you navigate the various collections. The areas with the interactive exhibits for children can get quite crowded, but other parts of the museum are relatively quiet.Written August 10, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Finn C6 contributionsBianca, our guide, was superb. Learnt lots about chocolate but that's not why I was there, was all about the sampling and making. Sampled 10+ chocolates overall and made bars into different shapes with the molds. Had a great time, would come backWritten August 4, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jason E193 contributionsFirst of all it’s great value, very cheap for 3 adults and 1 child. There is soo much to see and do, you would need to give yourself 2 hours. There is a great workshop where you assemble a full adult real skeleton. Plenty of interactive attractions. Thousands of body parts and organs stored in jars as well as hundreds of modern and old surgical instruments and devices. This is not for the faint hearted or squeamish. Highly recommended.Written August 3, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- DanielEnfield, UK44 contributionsGreat planetarium if a little expensive, we went to a live show which was very well presented and entertaining however the prices for admission are a little steep.Written August 11, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jason E193 contributionsA lovely little gem of a find. Give yourself an hour to get around it. Brilliant history about Scotlands financial and banking history as well as showing all the old notes and coinage. You can also see the old banking “technology” as well as new. Also you get to see what £1,000,000 looks like. Well worth the visit.Written August 3, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- brad120Jacksonville, AR108 contributionsThis museum was an unexpected pleasure. Even if you have little interest in the authors that are honored here, the building itself it worth seeing. The staff provided very helpful information. It was a delightful way to spend an hour.Written May 31, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- JensdhaSaint Louis, MO57 contributionsInteresting collection of various parts of Edinburgh’s history. One of the individual’s working there was so informative and took the time to show us some architectural items about the building itself as well.
Bonus, it is free!Written May 29, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Sarah LLincoln, UK51 contributionsWe really enjoyed this small museum. The personal stories and the way it is set out, setting the scene on different situations, you could imagine how it was.Written July 7, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Patrick G4 contributionsExceeded expectations. Spent about an hour but if you are really into music, could take much longer. Fascinating collection of instruments we've never seen before. As others have said, the staff were incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable.Written August 1, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Nicole3 contributionsCute museum for a bit of nostalgia! It showcases childhood memories and artefacts over the decades. Only a small place but it is free to visit.Written July 28, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Geo-CraigEdinburgh, UK4 contributionsJust back from last game of the season at Gorgie Suite.
Yet another excellent day!
Mr Wilson never disappoints with his quick wit and one liners, brilliant entertainment no matter what team you are supporting!
The food is always top quality and served with military precision from Graeme’s army of waiting staff.
I’ve been many times this season and despite some poor performances on the pitch we always leave with a laugh!
Thanks Again to the team of unsung heroes who mostly work behind the scenes to ensure our day out goes smoothly
Looking forward to next season already
HHGHWritten May 27, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - greatretirement2017Sydney, Australia3 contributionswell worth a visit to see one of the original lodges, give them a call to see when it is convenient, within easy walking distance of the Edinburgh CastleWritten September 28, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Malgorzata12,108 contributionsWhen you visit Edinburgh and the Royal Mile, your attention is drawn to narrow, perpendicular streets, called closes. Lady Stair's Close is a close in Edinburgh, just off the Royal Mile, close to the entrance to Gladstone's Land. Lady Stair's Close is the location of a 17th-century townhouse called Lady Stairs House built in 1622 for Sir William Gray of Pittendrum. Originally, it was originally called Lady Gray's House after the widow of the first proprietor. Later it was then bought by Elizabeth Dundas, Lady Stair, hence its present name.Today Lady Stair’s House is home to the Writers’ Museum. It is a picturesque piece of Old Edinburgh. The house is charming, has a romantic looking spire and a carved stone lintel with the date 1622 above the entrance. Wonderful.Written September 14, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Adrian S1 contributionHad a bit time to kill, so went to The Wee Museum of Memory in Ocean Terminal and it certainly does what it says on the tin, as so many memories came flooding back. Hundreds, if not thousands of household products from back in my mum's and Nana's era.... and you can pick them up too!
I then went to their shop on ground level called 'Away for the Messages' and it has beautiful old photos and items related to shopping, from the days when your mum sent you for a 'forpit o tatties' with half a crown wrapped in the shopping list.
Russell was so lovely, welcoming and friendly. So glad I went and I'll be back and I highly recommend.Written August 11, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Edinburgh
- These places are best for specialty museums in Edinburgh:
- Royal Yacht Britannia
- National Museum of Scotland
- Dynamic Earth
- Surgeons' Hall Museums
- Museum of Childhood
- These are the best places for kid-friendly specialty museums in Edinburgh:See more specialty museums for kids in Edinburgh on Tripadvisor
- These are the best places for couples seeking specialty museums in Edinburgh:
- Royal Yacht Britannia
- National Museum of Scotland
- The Chocolatarium
- Surgeons' Hall Museums
- Dynamic Earth
- These are the best places for groups seeking specialty museums in Edinburgh:See more specialty museums for groups in Edinburgh on Tripadvisor
- These are the best places for budget-friendly specialty museums in Edinburgh:
- Royal Yacht Britannia
- National Museum of Scotland
- The Chocolatarium
- Surgeons' Hall Museums
- Museum On The Mound
- These are the best hidden gems for specialty museums in Edinburgh:See more hidden gem specialty museums in Edinburgh on Tripadvisor
- These are the best places for adventurous specialty museums in Edinburgh:See more adventurous specialty museums in Edinburgh on Tripadvisor























































