Visit Camera Obscura and World of Illusions in Edinburgh: tickets, prices, schedules

Are you going through Edinburgh during your stay in Scotland? So don’t miss visiting Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, one of the city’s most touristic attractions!

Capital of Scotland, Edinburgh is full of activities and visits. Between its many castles and museums, you will only have the embarrassment of choice to choose an activity during your stay. However, one of them stands out from others by its originality: Camera Obscura ' World of Illusions.

A true museum of illusion, this place gathers hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, since its opening. If you want to know more about this unusual place that has fascinated for over 160 years, follow the guide to visit Camera Obscura & World of Illusions!

History of Camera Obscura & World of Illusions

It all began when Thomas Short, an instrument manufacturer in Edinburgh, died in 1788. The man left behind many instruments which were exposed in a small construction in Calton Hill from his lifetime. His lease mentioning that no woman could inherit the building or its contents, he was left as such for several years after his death.

In 1827, Theresa Short, daughter of Thomas Short, returned from the West Indies and demanded her inheritance that she named the “great telescope”. Despite many times and the opposition of other parties interested in the acquisition of this object, it is gaining cause. She inherited the place before she settled next to the Calton Hill monument: it is here that she created the Popular Observatory Short.

A few years later, in 1851, the observatory was destroyed by the authorities. Theresa Short then decided to settle in Castlehill, before buying a town house. A year later, she erected it Short’s Observatory, Museum of Science and Art . A new place hosting many instruments, but also illusions and mysteries, including Camera Obscura.

In 1892 the museum was renamed Outlook par Patrick Geddes which transforms it into a museum and urban study center. His purpose? Demonstrate, but also popularize his philosophy and planning. After his death, the museum returns to the University of Edinburgh which renames him Camera Obscura ' World of Illusions.

Today and since that day, Camera Obscura & World of Illusions is a full symbol of the Scottish city.

What to see and do in Camera Obscura ' World of Illusions?

If you would like to visit Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, you should know that there are three major parts of this museum:

Camera Obscura

This is a guided tour of Edinburgh totally unusual! Based on an ancient Victorian technique (historical version of virtual reality), this attraction immerses you in another world. The images of the city scroll on the table, giving almost the impression of being able to touch the passers-by.

Due to its realism, Camera Obscura is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

World of Illusions

World of Illusions is a true museum of illusion! On the programme, five floors with more than 100 illusions. It is divided into four main parts:

• Magic Gallery : here, the subject is at the heart of electricity. This section gathers many illusions of optics, but also balls of plasma and a lot of other experiences more incredible than others.
• Light Fantastic : this is the largest gallery. It is also the most impressive! It brings together many illusions and activities, as well as towers related to light and shadow.
• Eye Spy Edinburgh : in this part you will find Camera Obscura and other objects such as thermal cameras or Eye Spy Edinburgh.
• Bewilderworld : if you like to deceive your senses, Bewilderworld is for you! Between its mirror labyrinth and its corridors that seem to extend to the infinite, you will no longer know what is real and what is not.

Rooftop

Finally, visiting Camera Obscura & World of Illusions is also going through... its roofs! From above you can enjoy a wonderful view of the city. Moreover, telescopes and twins are available to observe the surrounding area.

How to get to Camera Obscura & World of Illusions?

By car

The car is an option to visit Camera Obscura & World of Illusions. That said, because of lack of parking nearby, it is also not recommended. Indeed, the nearest one is a 10-minute walk away. This is Castle Terrace NCP that offers a reduced price if you are visiting Camera Obscura & World of Illusions. Count £10 (compared to £19.50 for normal price).

Here is Camera Obscura ' World of Illusions: Castlehill, Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 2ND, United Kingdom.

By bus

Bus 2, 41 and 47 provide the journey to the museum. You will descend to the stop George IV Bridge only three minutes' walk from Camera Obscura ' World of Illusions.

Plus, the City Sightseeing Tour bus stops at Royal Mile less than a minute from the Camera Obscura ' World of Illusions Museum.

By train

It is possible to take trains from all over Scotland to Edinburgh Waverley Station. Once at the station, you have 10 minutes to walk to the Camera Obscura ' World of Illusions.

Camera Obscura ' World of Illusions Timetables and Rates

HORARI

It is possible to visit Camera Obscura ' World of Illusions every day according to the following schedules:

• July and August : open every day from 9am to 10pm.
• September and October Monday to Friday + Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• November to March Monday to Thursday from 9.30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Sunday from 9.30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9.30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• April to June : Monday to Friday + Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. except during the Passover holiday where it is possible to visit Camera Obscura & World of Illusions every day from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Attention: Camera Obscura ' World of Illusions is not open on December 25 and January 1.

RATES

• Adults 16£
• Over 65 years and students £14
• Children 5-15 £12
• Free for children under 5 years