Surgeons' Hall Museum, Edinburgh

The Royal College of Surgeons - Surgeons Hall

The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh was founded in 1505, with the Museum collections growing from 1699 after 'natural and artificial curiosities' were publically sought. In the 1800s, the Museum had expanded to include the remarkable collections of Sir Charles Bell and John Barclay. Initially established as a medical teaching resource, access for all is now a priority and visitors can explore The Pathology Museum, The History of Surgery Museum upper and lower (floors) and the Dental Museum.

latest news

Women in Warfare: From Troy to the Trenches

The conference Women in Warfare: From Troy to the Trenches will be held from 12th to 14th June 2013 at The university of Edin...read more >>

Dr Neil MacGillivray and Professor Ewen Cameron research claims JYS used spin to promte chloroform

SIR James Young Simpson, one of Scotland’s most famous doctors, over-spun religious objections to his ground-breaking use of ...read more >>

Women in Warfare Exhibition will be launched on 13th June

We are delighted to announce that we will be working with The Centre for The Study of Modern Conflict at Edinburgh University...read more >>

Planning your visit

The Museum is open from 12- 4pm, Monday - Friday, with special weekend opening from 31st March - 28th October. The Pathology Museum may occasionally be closed for surgical exams. For all closures and special openings, please see opening hours and admissions.

Admission charge: £5/£3 concession.

Upcoming closures: Due to surgical exams the Pathology Museum will be closed on 6th September. The History of Surgery Museum will be open at the reduced charge of £4/2

What's on at the Museum, view our upcoming events>>

more news >>

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related websites

Scotland and Medicine

Scotland and Medicine Human Race

Scotland and Medicine in Print

Anatomy Acts

Library and Special Collections

The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh

object of the month

Gorlin Goltz syndrome Find out more >>

events at surgeons' hall museums

May 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th from 1-3pm: Beautiful Books

18th May: The Heritage Society Launch with Denise Mina

16th May 2013, 6-8pm: Dissecting Edinburgh Event

20th May, 2:30-4pm: Enhancing the Human Body

Highlights tours every Wednesday at 2pm - no need to book

current & upcoming exhibitions

Women in Warfare: June 2013. We are delighted to announce that we will be working with The Centre for The Study of Modern Conflict at Edinburgh University to present an exhibition on Women in Warfare. This exhibition will coincide with the Women in Warfare: From Troy to the Trenches conference at Edinburgh University and will feature new objects and interpretation from the Museum's military surgery collection.

permanent exhibitions

Surgeons' Hall Pathology Museum >>

Housed in the upper floor of the William Playfair building, the Pathology Museum has one of the largest collections of pathological anatomy in the United Kingdom and provides valuable material for the study of human disease.

Conan Doyle & Joseph Bell: The Real Sherlock Holmes >>

The exhibition focuses on Conan Doyle's relationship to Joseph Bell, who later became President of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

Surgeons Hall Museum: History of Surgery >>

The Museum covers the History of Surgery and Edinburgh’s special contribution to surgical practice in modern times.

Dental collection >>

The Dental Collection is one of the finest in the UK and demonstrates the development of dentistry from its earliest days to modern times.

The History of Surgery (upper gallery)

The upper gallery houses three exhibtions; Skin Deep: The Restoration of Form and Function, Sight for Scotland: 100 years of the Scottish Ophthalmology Club and The Development of Sports and Exercise Medicine.

more about permanent exhibitions >>