Camera Obscura and World of Illusions

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Enjoy the fascinating Camera Obscura Show, fantastic views of Edinburgh, and three galleries packed full of an amazing range of optical experiences which have been amusing visitors of all ages and nationalities since 1853!

The Camera Obscura
This show is a fascinating and highly amusing way to see the city and learn about its history. This unique experience has delighted and intrigued people for over 150 years. It is a 'must' on any visit to Edinburgh. From inside this mysterious Victorian rooftop chamber, you see live moving images of Edinburgh projected onto a viewing table through a giant periscope. Pick people up on your hands, squash them to a pulp and even make the traffic climb over paper bridges. Our friendly guide will entertain you while telling stories of Edinburgh, past and present, in an engaging and informative way. Visitors are truly amazed at how, in this age of high technology, a simple array of mirror, lenses and daylight can produce this incredible panorama. Experiencing the Camera Obscura is like stepping back in time!

Rooftop views from the Tower
Whilst there dont miss the breathtaking views of the city and its surrounding areas. They have a fabulous vantage point, looking over Edinburgh's Old and New Towns as well as Edinburgh Castle. Powerful, free telescopes allow you to see the city close up or see far into the distance. Viewing panels help you identify the many sights and inform you about Edinburgh's history. It is an ideal spot for taking photos. Located at the top of the Royal Mile, the attraction offers the finest 360 degree city views from its rooftop terrace Enjoy spectacular rooftop panoramas.

Magic Gallery
Enter a world of head-spinning optical illusions. Have lots of fun with bendy mirrors, big lenses, shadow walls and colourful giant kaleidoscopes. Spot the hidden magic eye pictures, grab the disappearing sweets, swap heads with a friend and lots more!
Everyone loves the "Magic Gallery". It is simple, interactive fun, very hands-on and like nothing you will see elsewhere.

The Electric Room
A futuristic room showing how electricity can travel and be used to entertain us. The electric room is inspired by the "amazing electric boy" and 'galvanic shock machine', exhibited here by our founder Maria Short in the nineteenth century. Victorians believed that electric shocks were good for your health. It is possible you will get a small shock in the electric room, but don't worry - it can't hurt you!

Mirrors, Lights and Lenses
Shake hands with yourself, confuse your mind with mirrors that play tricks on your dominant eye or use our true mirror to see yourself how others see you. In the 'mind over matter' exhibit be amazed as you lose control of your right hand, or is it your left? This, combined with big lenses, bendy mirrors and our giant kaleidoscope is bound to leave you laughing and giggling if not a little disorientated.

Moving Pictures
Discover some amusing 19th century optical toys - and the origin of motion pictures in our magic gallery. These optical curiosities are similar to a movie cartoon consisting of a series of still images, each showing a slightly different phase of a movement and presented to us in rapid succession.

Optical Illusions
In the fascinating World of Illusions you will find an extraordinary collection of mind bending optical illusions and visual oddities. Here nothing is as it seems.
You will come across some classic optical illusions that trick the eye and mesmerise you, some over a hundred years old. Others are by artists such as M.C Escher, Salvador Dali, Octavio Ocampo, and many more.
It is hard to appreciate just how your mind is tricked into believing something that is not there. Try to find out if images are still or moving, straight or tilting.
Some of the pictures at first glance seem 'normal', but look again and you will see some surprising things. See if you can spot the hidden images in our magic eye pictures, or find the hidden people and animals in our landscapes.
Magic eye pictures offer a whole new dimension of illusions behind what often seems a random pattern there are remarkable 3D hidden images.

Light Fantastic
This fantastic exhibition is the one of the largest hologram exhibitions in Europe. Inside you will find an array of captivating holograms or 3D pictures. Watch them appear, change and disappear before your eyes.

Edinburgh Vision
Discover old, new, live and unique pictures of Edinburgh.  Also on this floor, explore an infinity corridor of light, go ape in the magic morphing machine, make your own coloured shadows and lots more.

The Camera Obscura and world of illusions is great, innovative and educational fun for people of any age.

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Opening Hours:

July & August
Monday - Sunday 09:30 - 19:30
September and October
Monday - Sunday 09:30 - 18:00
November - March
Monday - Sunday 10:00 - 17:00
April - June
Monday - Sunday 09:30 - 19:00 

Admission:

STANDARD ADMISSION PRICES    
Adult: £8.50
Student (with ID): £6.75
Senior: £6.75
Child (5 - 15 years): £5.75
under 5's go free 

GROUP ADMISSION PRICES    
Adult: £6.75
Senior/Student: £5.75
Language School: £5.75
Child (5 - 15 years): £4.60