Spend a morning at the Surgeons’ Hall Museums, Edinburgh.
Set in the heart of Edinburgh, the Surgeons’ Hall Museum is an unmissable stop for any anatomist, and here’s why.
Getting there
Just a short 10 minute walk from Edinburgh’s Waverley train station, it could not be more conveniently located. Open 10am-5pm, seven days a week, we recommend getting there as they open!
We went mid-week and it was still pretty busy by 12pm.
Inside
Walking through the courtyard you will come to the entrance of the building, head up the stairs to Level 3 where you will find the ticket desk and shop. Also remember your student or NHS ID for a lovely little discount!
The Surgeons’ Hall Museums are a collection of several museums and learning spaces spread over several floors:
The History of Surgery Museum & Anatomy Theatre
The Anatomy Lab and Education Space
The Wohl Pathology Museum
The Dental Collection Techniques & Technology
The Body Voyager Gallery
Your ticket allows access to them all, and you can comfortably cover them in 1 visit.
From the ticket desk you can explore the History of Surgery Museum first, also on Level 3. This Museum showcases Anatomy since the beginning, with displays of the ancient tools and techniques used, as well as the transition to modern day anatomy teaching. With a range of interactive activities, this area sets the scene for the rest of the exhibits and is the perfect place to start. Next you will come to the Anatomy Theatre, with curved seating surrounding a plastic cadaver.
You will also have the chance to explore the current temporary exhibition, which you will find the details of here - https://museum.rcsed.ac.uk/the-collection/temporary-exhibtion. During our visit ‘A Fair Field And No Favour: The History of Women In Surgery’ was open, documenting the increasing representation of women in the traditionally male-dominated surgical field. A definite highlight was the new artwork ‘Eleven Surgeons’, by Scotland-based artist Kirstin Mackinnon, shining a light on the namesakes and recipients of the Hunter-Doig medal.
‘Eleven Surgeons’, by Kirstin Mackinnon
Next, go all the way to Level 5, where you will find the Dental Collection and the Body Voyager Gallery. The Body Voyager Gallery is a modernised take on human anatomy, displaying the technological and surgical advances that are changing the face of medicine forever. Have the chance to try out your manual dexterity at a replica Da Vinci surgical system and measure how much of a tremor your hands have, whilst learning how the pioneers of these novel techniques are challenging the norm to create a new world of surgery.
After leaving the Body Voyager Gallery, have a walk around the Dental Collection, featuring tools and tricks of the trade dating back hundreds of years. A replica dental chair & dentist’s office from the 19th century also sits in the corner.
And finally, head downstairs to Level 4 to find the Wohl Pathology Museum. Spread over two levels, this is one of the ‘largest collections of pathological anatomy in the world’. You can see it all - from aortic coarctations to tibial sarcomas, as well as a section dedicated to medical developments in war zones and the unusual pathologies you might encounter there. Honestly this Museum alone made the whole visit worth it.
Lunch
Walking from the Surgeons’ Hall Museums back to the station you will come across a number of lunch spots, as well as crossing over the Royal Mile which hosts dozens of quick eats & restaurants.
Our recommendations:
Ikigai Ramen - 4 minute walk - enjoy a sit down with delicious hearty food or small plates to share, a range of cocktails and bottomless green tea. Also featured previously on BBC ‘Britain’s Top Takeaways’.
https://www.ikigairamenuk.co.uk/ - menu below
The Pie Maker - 4 min walk - for an on-the-go traditional pie, this is the place. Freshly baked throughout the day and with reasonably priced tea and coffee, we would recommend!
https://www.thepiemaker.co.uk/ - menu below
Have a wonderful day and let us know where you want to see us go next!
