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- Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
Historical Background
The Camera Obscura is housed in a 17th century tenement tower next to Edinburgh Castle in the city's Old Town. In the middle of the 19th century a lady entrepreneur, Maria Short, bought the building and added two more storeys, including a rooftop terrace and the Camera Obscura. The attraction opened in 1853 as Short's Observatory, Museum of Science and Art. Sir Patrick Geddes, town planner and biologist ran the attraction between 1892 and 1930, renaming it the Outlook Tower. He installed innovative exhibitions on Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain, Europe and the World. Edinburgh University ran the building from 1950 to 1977 when it was taken over by the current owners. In continuous use since 1853 the Camera Obscura is Edinburgh's oldest purpose built attraction.
The Camera Obscura today
There are currently five elements to the visit. The nineteenth century camera obscura is still a highlight, offering a fascinating bird's eye view of the city through a giant Victorian Camera Obscura. A guide tells you a story of Edinburgh's historic past in a 15 minute presentation. The panoramic rooftop terrace gives visitors unrivalled 360 degree views with free telescopes giving close-ups of the city and beyond. There are also three floors of optical exhibitions including the Magic Gallery of Illusions, an interactive exhibition including giant kaleidoscopes, the world's biggest plasmadome and a morphing machine; the Light Fantastic, the largest display of 3D holograms in Europe and 'Edinburgh Vision', a display of images ranging from 3D cityscapes of Victorian Edinburgh to live viewcams of the city today. All the information is translated into French, German, Italian, Spanish and Japanese and some of the staff speak these languages. A visit to the Camera Obscura & World of Illusions takes approximately one hour.
The Camera Obscura is housed in a 17th century tenement tower next to Edinburgh Castle in the city's Old Town. In the middle of the 19th century a lady entrepreneur, Maria Short, bought the building and added two more storeys, including a rooftop terrace and the Camera Obscura. The attraction opened in 1853 as Short's Observatory, Museum of Science and Art. Sir Patrick Geddes, town planner and biologist ran the attraction between 1892 and 1930, renaming it the Outlook Tower. He installed innovative exhibitions on Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain, Europe and the World. Edinburgh University ran the building from 1950 to 1977 when it was taken over by the current owners. In continuous use since 1853 the Camera Obscura is Edinburgh's oldest purpose built attraction.
The Camera Obscura today
There are currently five elements to the visit. The nineteenth century camera obscura is still a highlight, offering a fascinating bird's eye view of the city through a giant Victorian Camera Obscura. A guide tells you a story of Edinburgh's historic past in a 15 minute presentation. The panoramic rooftop terrace gives visitors unrivalled 360 degree views with free telescopes giving close-ups of the city and beyond. There are also three floors of optical exhibitions including the Magic Gallery of Illusions, an interactive exhibition including giant kaleidoscopes, the world's biggest plasmadome and a morphing machine; the Light Fantastic, the largest display of 3D holograms in Europe and 'Edinburgh Vision', a display of images ranging from 3D cityscapes of Victorian Edinburgh to live viewcams of the city today. All the information is translated into French, German, Italian, Spanish and Japanese and some of the staff speak these languages. A visit to the Camera Obscura & World of Illusions takes approximately one hour.
0131 226 3709
OPENING TIMES
July: 09:00-22:00 (open every day)
August: 09:00-22:00 (open every day)
September-October: 09:30-20:00 (21:00 Sat; open every day)
November-June: 09:30-19:00 Mon-Thurs, 09:30-20:00 Fri & Sun, 09:30-21:00 Sat (closed 25th December)
Extended opening hours during School Holidays - 09:00-22:00 every day
July: 09:00-22:00 (open every day)
August: 09:00-22:00 (open every day)
September-October: 09:30-20:00 (21:00 Sat; open every day)
November-June: 09:30-19:00 Mon-Thurs, 09:30-20:00 Fri & Sun, 09:30-21:00 Sat (closed 25th December)
Extended opening hours during School Holidays - 09:00-22:00 every day
Credit Cards Accepted
ADMISSION PRICES 2020
Adult 16 years+: £16.50
Senior/Student (with ID): £14.50
Child 5-15 years: £12.50
Group (10 or more):
Adult: £14.50
Senior/Student: £13.50
Language School: £13.50
Child: £10.50
Child Edinburgh Primary Schools: £6.25
Adult 16 years+: £16.50
Senior/Student (with ID): £14.50
Child 5-15 years: £12.50
Group (10 or more):
Adult: £14.50
Senior/Student: £13.50
Language School: £13.50
Child: £10.50
Child Edinburgh Primary Schools: £6.25
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