Camera Obscura and World of Illusions

Camera Obscura and World of Illusions Winner of VisitScotland's Best Visitor Attraction Experience 2023/24🥇
Illusions & stunning views! Britain's most fun attraction and fun for all ages.
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Visit Camera Obscura and World of Illusions where seeing is not believing! With five floors and over 100 interactive, hands-on exhibits, we have something to entertain all ages. Tour Edinburgh’s streets without moving. Test your brain against mind-bending illusions. Take spectacular city scape photographs from our Rooftop Terrace. It’s all part of the Camera Obscura & World of Illusions experience

. You'll need at least two hours to discover it all! A swirling light vortex; a maze of mirrors; a chance to swap noses with a friend; see yourself grow, shrink and stretch; play eye-spy with our city viewcams; and mess with your mind with brilliant visual effects. Situated just a stone’s throw from Edinburgh Castle, at the top of Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile, come and discover the first ever purpose built visitor attraction in Edinburgh, in operation since 1853, and see history and modern marvels together under one roof. Feel free to leave us a message...we want to hear from you!

Are you lookin' at me? 👀
30/09/2023

Are you lookin' at me? 👀

It's back! 💍💕 Our AutoWed is now available for you to have the marriage ceremony you've been waiting for - vending machi...
29/09/2023

It's back! 💍💕 Our AutoWed is now available for you to have the marriage ceremony you've been waiting for - vending machine style! We're open every day, ready for you to make that special commitment.

Hands up who likes to plan fantastically fun days out 🙋 Tickets to visit us are now on sale up until 31 August 2024! How...
26/09/2023

Hands up who likes to plan fantastically fun days out 🙋 Tickets to visit us are now on sale up until 31 August 2024! How very organised is that?! Plan your visit today.

We are delighted to have won two Thistle Awards: Best Visitor Attraction and Innovation in Tourism!🏆 We’re very proud of...
25/09/2023

We are delighted to have won two Thistle Awards: Best Visitor Attraction and Innovation in Tourism!🏆 We’re very proud of our team for putting so much into making our attraction a fantastic and innovative visit for all ages. We would like to congratulate everyone who was nominated for an award😄

You know what time it is, it's Selfie Sunday 📸  Whether pulling faces or striking a pose, we love seeing all the fun you...
24/09/2023

You know what time it is, it's Selfie Sunday 📸 Whether pulling faces or striking a pose, we love seeing all the fun you had with us 😋 Here are some of our favourite selfies from this week!

🎃 Only 2 weeks to go till the launch of our Haunting Halloween Hunt! From 6-31 October join us for all things ghoulish a...
22/09/2023

🎃 Only 2 weeks to go till the launch of our Haunting Halloween Hunt! From 6-31 October join us for all things ghoulish and spine tingling, creepy and spooky. Fun for all the family! Book your visit today. 👻 https://camera-obscura.co.uk/Halloween

🥳 Well done! Our team successfully completed the Edinburgh Kiltwalk yesterday, a full 21 miles in the rain! They're rais...
18/09/2023

🥳 Well done! Our team successfully completed the Edinburgh Kiltwalk yesterday, a full 21 miles in the rain! They're raising money for Calums Cabin and there's still time to donate here https://www.justgiving.com/page/camera-obscura

It's Selfie Sunday - that lovely time of the week when we show off some of our favourite snaps from you guys 📸 And what ...
17/09/2023

It's Selfie Sunday - that lovely time of the week when we show off some of our favourite snaps from you guys 📸 And what a fun week we've had 😄 Keep sharing your pics with us!

STUDENTS!📖See the whole of Edinburgh from one place in our Camera Obscura show - it's the best way to get to know your n...
12/09/2023

STUDENTS!📖
See the whole of Edinburgh from one place in our Camera Obscura show - it's the best way to get to know your new home and have fun with your new pals. Student discount available!🎟
https://www.camera-obscura.co.uk/

We’re lighting up blue tonight in support of Leukodystrophy Awareness Month! Leukodystrophies are rare, genetic disorder...
10/09/2023

We’re lighting up blue tonight in support of Leukodystrophy Awareness Month! Leukodystrophies are rare, genetic disorders affecting the brain and spinal cord. Alex TLC are the only charity in the UK that supports people affected by and their families/carers, so please show them some support💙

We're open from 9am every day this week☀️ See you soon!
05/09/2023

We're open from 9am every day this week☀️ See you soon!

In two weeks, on Sun 17 Sept, our team will be walking 21 miles in the Edinburgh Kiltwalk to raise funds for Calums Cabi...
03/09/2023

In two weeks, on Sun 17 Sept, our team will be walking 21 miles in the Edinburgh Kiltwalk to raise funds for Calums Cabin. If you would like to show your support, you can donate here https://www.justgiving.com/page/camera-obscura

Calum's Cabin offer support for families facing childhood cancer; including holidays, homes from home & mindfulness. 🧡

Help Camera Obscura raise money to support Calums Cabin

End of summer blues? Maybe you're just cold 🥶Share your pictures from our thermal camera in the comments below...
02/09/2023

End of summer blues? Maybe you're just cold 🥶
Share your pictures from our thermal camera in the comments below...

Fun fact: our Infinity Corridor uses 6431 lights💡
30/08/2023

Fun fact: our Infinity Corridor uses 6431 lights💡

Goodbye Fringe (and goodbye summer☹️)
28/08/2023

Goodbye Fringe (and goodbye summer☹️)

Alexa play 'She's A Rainbow' 🌈🎶
27/08/2023

Alexa play 'She's A Rainbow' 🌈🎶

Only a few days left to claim our night owl discount🦉GET 20% OFF a visit after 7:45pm when you book online! Castlehill g...
25/08/2023

Only a few days left to claim our night owl discount🦉
GET 20% OFF a visit after 7:45pm when you book online! Castlehill gets busier during the Fringe festival, so we're rolling out night owl discounts until 3rd September. Please allow extra time to arrive😄
https://www.camera-obscura.co.uk/book-tickets

It's Selfie Sunday time 📸 We had so much fun with you this week, it was hard to choose our favourite of your snaps 😍 Kee...
20/08/2023

It's Selfie Sunday time 📸 We had so much fun with you this week, it was hard to choose our favourite of your snaps 😍 Keep sharing them with us!

Our team are taking part in the Edinburgh KiltWalk in September and will walk 21 miles through the city!🥾 This is on beh...
17/08/2023

Our team are taking part in the Edinburgh KiltWalk in September and will walk 21 miles through the city!🥾 This is on behalf of our charity partner, Calums Cabin who support families with children facing cancer. Please donate to our fundraising page here or share it for us!🧡 (We took this photo of a window in one of Calum's holiday homes, it represents all of his favourite things like football, monopoly, golf, music, Scotland)
https://www.justgiving.com/page/camera-obscura

🦉NIGHT OWL DISCOUNT🦉We're offering 20% off your visit to Camera Obscura after 7:45pm when you book online! Castlehill ge...
15/08/2023

🦉NIGHT OWL DISCOUNT🦉
We're offering 20% off your visit to Camera Obscura after 7:45pm when you book online! Castlehill gets busier during the Edinburgh Military Tattoo evening performances, so from now until 3rd September we're rolling out night owl discounts. Please allow extra time to arrive😄
https://www.camera-obscura.co.uk/book-tickets

When you've been enjoying the festival fun a bit too much and you need to have a word with yourself 👀
12/08/2023

When you've been enjoying the festival fun a bit too much and you need to have a word with yourself 👀

The sun is out, the sky is blue, and we're open 8am-10pm all weekend🌤 If you're an early bird, come and enjoy a peaceful...
11/08/2023

The sun is out, the sky is blue, and we're open 8am-10pm all weekend🌤 If you're an early bird, come and enjoy a peaceful moment on our rooftop terrace with 20% off tickets before 9am when you book online🐦
https://www.camera-obscura.co.uk/book-tickets
📸: Robbie Sarreal

It's August, that wonderfully vibrant time of year again for us here in Edinburgh! Today we are celebrating with Selfie ...
06/08/2023

It's August, that wonderfully vibrant time of year again for us here in Edinburgh! Today we are celebrating with Selfie Sunday 📸 Keep sending your snaps our way 😍

It's tattoo time!🎇 The Edinburgh Military Tattoo takes place just nextdoor to us, most evenings in August. Castlehill ma...
04/08/2023

It's tattoo time!🎇 The Edinburgh Military Tattoo takes place just nextdoor to us, most evenings in August. Castlehill may be harder to get to but don't give up! We're open until 10pm and our staff will be waiting to show you the way, or you can show your ticket to get past the barriers.
This stunning photo of our tower: Tom Duffin - Weephotos of Edinburgh

Have you seen our big bright tram yet? Hop on at the airport and  jump off at Princes Street to make your way up to us. ...
03/08/2023

Have you seen our big bright tram yet? Hop on at the airport and jump off at Princes Street to make your way up to us. It's full of illusions on the inside too👀 Remember we're offering 20% off a visit before 9am when you book online!
https://www.camera-obscura.co.uk/

Yogi the miniature schnauzer living his best life!🐾
01/08/2023

Yogi the miniature schnauzer living his best life!🐾

Happy Sunday everyone ... Selfie Sunday that is! 📸 We had so much fun with you this week,  it was hard to choose our fav...
30/07/2023

Happy Sunday everyone ... Selfie Sunday that is! 📸 We had so much fun with you this week, it was hard to choose our favourite of your snaps 😍

Don't lose your head(s) in our Perpetual Portrait exhibit!👾 We're currently open 8am-10pm every day, please remember to ...
25/07/2023

Don't lose your head(s) in our Perpetual Portrait exhibit!👾
We're currently open 8am-10pm every day, please remember to pre-book to avoid disappointment😄

Woohoo, Selfie Sunday time is here! 📸 We had so much fun with our visitors this week, it was hard to choose our favourit...
23/07/2023

Woohoo, Selfie Sunday time is here! 📸 We had so much fun with our visitors this week, it was hard to choose our favourite of your snaps 😍

We hope everyone is having an electric day⚡️
20/07/2023

We hope everyone is having an electric day⚡️

🐦EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS🐦Starting Saturday we're open every day from 8am-10pm, and you can get 20% off a visit before 9am w...
18/07/2023

🐦EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS🐦
Starting Saturday we're open every day from 8am-10pm, and you can get 20% off a visit before 9am when you pre-book online! The early bird (you) catches the worm (a fun filled morning)🪱
https://www.camera-obscura.co.uk/book-tickets

Look what it is! It's Selfie Sunday 📸 Here are some of our favourite smiley selfie snaps you've shared with us this week...
16/07/2023

Look what it is! It's Selfie Sunday 📸 Here are some of our favourite smiley selfie snaps you've shared with us this week 😍

Please help us support our charity partner Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home!💚 We collect donations here at Camera Obscura or y...
11/07/2023

Please help us support our charity partner Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home!💚 We collect donations here at Camera Obscura or you can help via their website: https://edch.org.uk/
If you're not able to donate, please share our post to find forever homes for the animals the EDCH looks after🐶🐱

It is our favourite time of the week: Selfie Sunday 📸 Here are some of our favourite selfie snaps, we love to see them k...
09/07/2023

It is our favourite time of the week: Selfie Sunday 📸 Here are some of our favourite selfie snaps, we love to see them keep sharing them with us! 😍

The Electric Room ⚡️- Sarah   Kids in Museums
07/07/2023

The Electric Room ⚡️- Sarah Kids in Museums

Sarah here for  ! I played around with the settings on the Sony DSLR camera in the vortex tunnel and here are a few phot...
07/07/2023

Sarah here for ! I played around with the settings on the Sony DSLR camera in the vortex tunnel and here are a few photos I captured 😵‍💫 Kids in Museums

Hi I’m Sarah (right), I’m 16 years old, and I’ll be taking over Camera Obscura’s social media for the day! Just a couple...
07/07/2023

Hi I’m Sarah (right), I’m 16 years old, and I’ll be taking over Camera Obscura’s social media for the day! Just a couple of things about me, I am in the national girls choir of Scotland and I'm also part of the U18’s Great Britain Cycling Team for track sprint🚴‍♀️ Kids in Museums

Address

Castlehill, The Royal Mile
Edinburgh
EH12ND

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 8pm
Tuesday 9am - 8pm
Wednesday 9am - 8pm
Thursday 9am - 8pm
Friday 9am - 9pm
Saturday 9am - 10pm
Sunday 9am - 9pm

Telephone

0131 226 3709

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Camera Obscura & World of Illusions

Camera Obscura & World of Illusions is the oldest visitor attraction in Edinburgh. Based the Old Town area, on the Castlehill section of the Royal Mile it’s close to Edinburgh Castle. Founded by entrepreneur Maria Theresa Short in 1835 and a key site in Patrick Geddes’s development of regional planning. This visitor attraction is now home to over 100 interactive exhibits, including the original Camera Obscura, and is based over five floors including a rooftop terrace with panoramic views of Edinburgh.

Nearby museums


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As part of our Sustainability Awareness Week at Edinburgh College we are turning off the lights on the Granton Gas Holder from Sunday 9th - Saturday 15th Oct.

The exception will be on Thursday 13th Oct when we are delighted to partner with Make 2nds Count to illuminate the Gas Holder as part of their 'Shine a Light on Secondaries' campaign.

The campaign is designed to “Shine a Light” on Secondary Breast Cancer day, which is often overlooked amidst the wider narrative around Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October).

You can find out more about the campaign here - https://www.make2ndscount.co.uk/education/breast-cancer-awareness-month-2022/

Other venues to look out for who will be lighting up on Thursday:
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
St Andrew's House
Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Perth & Kinross Council’s Perth Bridge and St. Pauls Square
Dalkeith Country Park
The Caird Hall
The Balmoral, a Rocco Forte Hotel



21CC Group Ltd - Events, Production, Fireworks, Hire & Sales Pyro & FX
The City of Edinburgh Council
💡 Breast Cancer Awareness Month runs for the duration of October but did you know that only one day (yes one day!) of that month is officially marked as Secondary Breast Cancer Awareness Day.

In order to raise as much awareness around this day and , we’ve partnered with 23 incredible venues across the UK, all of whom will be lighting up their venues on the 13th of October in our charity colours to literally shine a light on secondary breast cancer.

Huge thanks to the following venues for your support with this campaign:

Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, Edinburgh
Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Glasgow
Granton Gas Tower, Edinburgh
Nottingham Council House
The Blackpool Tower
St Helen’s Bridge, Merseyside

Tomorrow we’ll be sharing news on more venues taking part.
Thank you to our friends at Camera Obscura and World of Illusions for their generous and awesome donation to our raffle, entry for two adults and two children. The lucky winners will get to venture through five floors filled with over 100 illusions. A brilliant prize and fun for all ages!
I spy with my little eye… The Daily Record featured us & some of our friends (we see you, Camera Obscura and World of Illusions 👀) in their article on spooky adventures to enjoy during half term!

Read the article here! 👉https://bit.ly/3SEY4vp
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions with Sarah Lucille
On Thursday 13th October we’ll be launching our Shine a Light on Secondaries campaign.

We’re incredibly proud to be partnering with a number of wonderful venues around the UK who will be lighting up their buildings and shining brightly in the charity’s colours; pink, purple and teal as part of a national campaign.

is a campaign designed to “Shine a Light” on Secondary Breast Cancer day, which is often overlooked amidst the wider narrative around Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October).

If you would like to show your support to Make 2nds Count and by joining our campaign, then please get in touch with us via our webpage or socials.

Venues who will be lighting up include:

Scotland

Camera Obscura and World of Illusions | St Andrew's House | Queen Elizabeth Hospital | Perth & Kinross Council’s Perth Bridge and St. Pauls Square | Granton Gas Tower | Dalkeith Country Park | The Caird Hall | The Balmoral, a Rocco Forte Hotel

England

Nottingham Council House | C4Di Hull @ The Dock ~ Penshaw Monument - National Trust | Mersey Gateway | Yorkshire Steel Buildings | The Blackpool Tower | The Radio City Tower | St Helen’s Bridge

Northern Ireland

Magee Campus

Wales

Big Pit Head Gear, Blaenavon
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5 star family-friendly attraction, Camera Obscura and World of Illusions looking magnificent against Edinburgh’s night sky 🌟

📸: lauraplaminek
😆
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
The soft click of the camera, a flash of light and a moment in time is captured forever. Celebrating yesterday’s world photography, here’s a picture of Edinburgh from Calton hill - dating all the way back to the 1840s! The image is captured with a camera obscura using the daguerreotype process. 📸

Interested to know more about analog photography and visual illusions? Camera Obscura and World of Illusions and the world of illusions is just a 20 mins walk from Nira Caledonia !
Our EdinMe summer programme draws to a close next week, so of course we've been squeezing in lots of last trips – including Camera Obscura and World of Illusions and National Museums Scotland to see Luke Jerram's 90ft inflatable E.coli sculpture as part of Edinburgh Art Festival 🦠.
Come for a nice day out ....a time traveling daughter and a headless wife !!!!!!
Here's who's lighting up in orange over 21 & 22 July to celebrate our birthday.

Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
EICC
The Scottish Government
Edinburgh College
Prestonfield House

Thank you so much for supporting us and we hope you can see our beautiful orange light up the Edinburgh skyline 🧡
Is it worth it pls, as nearly £60 to come 🤔
👏 Pleased to see that ScotRail will restore their timetable to May 2022 levels from Wednesday 20 July after ASLEF members voted to accept the improved pay offer.

🪙 ScotRail are also running their "Quid a Kid" scheme again this summer, where up to four children aged 5-15 can travel for £1 with a full-paying adult.

🧒 The child's ticket also guarantees free entry to some of Scotland's top attractions, including Edinburgh Zoo, Deep Sea World and Camera Obscura and World of Illusions.

Read more about the Quid a Kid scheme here 👉 https://www.scotrail.co.uk/tickets/kids-for-a-quid

Find out which venues are taking part in the Kids Go Free deal here 👇 https://www.scotrail.co.uk/offers/kids-go-free-deals
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