Surgeons' Hall Museums
About This Museum
What truly sets the Surgeons' Hall Museums apart is its deep, and sometimes macabre, connection to the history of medicine itself. Housed in a purpose-built classical edifice, its collections were originally assembled for the education of 18th-century surgeons. You'll find everything from intricate anatomical wax models used for teaching to preserved specimens that tell poignant stories of early surgical practice. It’s a place that manages to be both academically rigorous and profoundly human.
Collection Highlights
Don't miss the intricate wax models by Dr. Josephinum, which are as beautiful as they are instructive, or the jar containing the skeletal hand of renowned resurrectionist William Burke. The pathology collection offers a sobering look at diseases and treatments from a bygone era.
Visitor Information
Give yourself a good couple of hours to take it all in; some displays are not for the faint of heart, but it's an utterly fascinating experience. It's right in the heart of Edinburgh's Southside, making it an easy stop on any city tour.
Architecture & Building
A stately, Greek Revival building of golden sandstone, designed by William Henry Playfair specifically for the Royal College of Surgeons.
Contact & Location
Address: Surgeons' Hall Museums, Nicolson Street, Pleasance, Southside, City of Edinburgh, Alba / Scotland, EH8 9DW, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 131 527 1711
Website: Visit Website
