Royal Observatory

The Royal Observatory sits on a hilltop overlooking Edinburgh and houses modern research facilities alongside historic telescopes and astronomical instruments. The site combines research spaces, visitor areas, and offices that together form an active center for astronomy.

The facility moved from Calton Hill to Blackford Hill in 1896 following a donation of land by a Scottish nobleman. This relocation allowed the observatory to expand and become a major research center.

The Crawford Collection in the observatory library holds first editions of foundational astronomical texts by some of history's greatest observers and mathematicians. These volumes show how early thinkers shaped our understanding of the night sky.

The site combines a public visitor center with active research areas, so parts are open to tourists while other sections remain reserved for scientific staff. Clear signage and staff help visitors understand which areas they can explore.

In 1913 the observatory was bombed by suffragettes, damaging floors and stone walls but injuring no one. This event remains visible in the building's marks today, telling an unexpected chapter from the site's past.

Location: City of Edinburgh

Location: Edinburgh

Location: Edinburgh Airport

Inception: 1896

Website: https://roe.ac.uk

GPS coordinates: 55.92319,-3.18788

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:56