Camera Obscura

Camera Obscura on the Royal Mile is a five-floor building housing over 100 interactive installations spread across different themes throughout each level. Alongside a mirror maze and vortex effects, visitors find optical illusions and light experiments at many different points within the space.

The site was founded in 1835 and originally stood elsewhere in the city before moving to its current location on Castlehill. This relocation made it one of Edinburgh's longest-running visitor destinations.

The name comes from the optical device that scientists have studied for centuries to understand how light behaves. Visitors can observe how this principle shapes the way people experience and think about vision in the displays throughout the building.

The location sits on Castlehill in the city center, easily reached on foot from other attractions. Plan for roughly ninety minutes to explore all levels and experience the different installations throughout the building.

The rooftop features a working chamber with mirror and lens systems from the 1850s that projects live moving images of the city onto a viewing table. Visitors can watch the streets and people reflected in real-time on this surface, exactly as it happened centuries ago.

Location: City of Edinburgh

Location: Edinburgh

Inception: 1835

Opening Hours: 08:00-22:00

Phone: +441312263709

Website: https://camera-obscura.co.uk

GPS coordinates: 55.94903,-3.19560

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:45