Museum of Edinburgh (Huntly House) Tours and Activities
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Occupying a 16th-century house with a bright red and yellow facade, the Museum of Edinburgh (formerly Huntly House) tells the rich history of the city, from prehistoric times to the present day. Among the star exhibits is the collar and bowl of Greyfriars Bobby, a dog who kept watch at his master’s Edinburgh grave for 14 years.
The Basics
Many visitors arrive at the museum via hop-on hop-off bus tour and browse the exhibitions independently. Both permanent collections, devoted to Edinburgh’s history, and temporary exhibitions are housed inside, and are designed to be self-guided. The museum’s collections also feature examples of Scottish crafts, including glassware, silver pieces, and porcelain. Fans of the TV show Outlander may recognize the Museum of Edinburgh building. It, together with the surrounding Bakehouse Close, was used as a filming location during series three.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The Museum of Edinburgh is a must for history buffs and Outlander fans.
- Pair a visit to the Museum of Edinburgh with a trip to the complementary People’s Story Museum, a companion museum focusing on working-class Edinburgh life.
- The upper levels of the museum are not accessible to wheelchair users.
How to Get There
The Museum of Edinburgh is situated in the Old Town, just off the Royal Mile opposite Canongate Kirk. The nearest trains station is Edinburgh Waverley railway station, which is about 10 minutes away on foot.
When to Get There
The Museum of Edinburgh opens Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The museum is typically busiest during July and August, school vacations, and at weekends, though crowds are rare. Get there for opening to experience it at its quietest.
Highlights of the Collection
The museum contains many objects of note. Examine the National Covenant of 1638, which called for changes in Scotland’s governance and set in motion the events that would ultimately lead to the Scottish civil war. Perhaps the most crowd-pleasing display in the collection is the collar and water bowl of Greyfriars Bobby, a Skye terrier who famously waited by the grave of his master, an Edinburgh policeman, in Greyfriars Kirk for more than a decade after his death.
Address: Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DD, Scotland
Admission: Free but donations welcome
6 Tours and Activities to Experience Museum of Edinburgh (Huntly House)
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City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
1170
An Edinburgh bus tour is the perfect way to hear commentary on city sights and get a panoramic overview. This City Sightseeing tour of Edinburgh lets you hop on and off at several strategically placed stops as many times as you like. Board the open-top double-decker bus and travel the entire route, or stop at Edinburgh Castle, the National Museum and many more. Buses depart regularly and tickets are valid for 24 hours from first use.
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From
$22.66
From
$22.66
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
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Edinburgh City Tour
2
Edinburgh, the Capital city of Scotland & United Kingdom's second most popular tourist destination attraction, over 2.1 million visitors in 2018. We provide a first class service on every journey with full of excitement & memorable adventure all over the Edinburgh City, also you can make your own tour location and flexible time all over the day.
Tour will be our traditional black taxi within full Air-Conditioned & heating vehicle,free Wi-Fi on broad & complementary water bottle. Vehicle are fully insured and have full public liability insurance. Our driver are officially recognised by the City of Edinburgh Council. All tours are priced per vehicle which can hold up to 6 passengers. We assured fully safe & secure every tour with bespoke tour, also provide any pick up or drop off in Edinburgh based location,including Air-port transport.
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From
$544.71
per group
From
$544.71
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
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A Day in Medieval Edinburgh
Your tour will take you on a comfortable walk in the Old Town along the famed Royal Mile. Hear stories of the murderers, geniuses, body-snatchers, witch hunters, firebrand priests and philosophers. See the eerie site of witch burnings and the castle sitting high above the city on its volcanic rock, then it's down Victoria St and into the Grassmarket and up the "Candlemakers Row" to see the Greyfriars churchyard and a statue to Greyfriars "Bobby" before heading past the "Birthplace" of Harry Potter. After lunch, we continue on our walk with a visit to the High Kirk of St Giles a pre-reformation Cathedral. Further down see the former home of John Knox, the Calvanistic reformer, then it's on to the Canongate Kirk and graveyard, where Her Majesty the Queen worships when in Edinburgh. A little further down "The" Mile and sitting in the shadow of Edinburgh's extinct volcano, and across the road from the Scottish Parliament building sits Holyrood Palace & Abbey (12c).
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From
$71.87
From
$71.87
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
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Edinburgh, Inverness, Glasgow 3 Days Scotland Private Tour
The Highlands is the epitome of Scotland. Big skies, sparkling countryside, great food, friendly people and the Scottish Highlands. A natural playground that begs to be explored, with the finest and most romantic castles. Edinburgh is the inspiring capital of Scotland where hundreds of years of history unite an unforgettable world-class city. The magnificent architecture of the city is shifting from the enclosures of the medieval Old City to the grace of the new Georgian City. Above all, Edinburgh Castle stands with its magnificent splendour. Edinburgh is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a compact and lively town but home to the world's largest arts festival. Glasgow is true heaven with excellent food, drinks and unforgettable experiences as well. The lush and beautiful land is full of green areas, evergreen forestry of the Highlands with their sweeping mountains and deep “lochs”, and its compact wildlands, the islands with lots of beautiful beaches and vast views. Oh, what views!
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From
$1,426.50
Price varies by group size
From
$1,426.50
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More

Edinburgh, Inverness, Glasgow 3 Days Scotland Private Tour
The Highlands is the epitome of Scotland. Big skies, sparkling countryside, great food, friendly people and the Scottish Highlands. A natural playground that begs to be explored, with the finest and most romantic castles. Edinburgh is the inspiring capital of Scotland where hundreds of years of history unite an unforgettable world-class city. The magnificent architecture of the city is shifting from the enclosures of the medieval Old City to the grace of the new Georgian City. Above all, Edinburgh Castle stands with its magnificent splendour. Edinburgh is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a compact and lively town but home to the world's largest arts festival. Glasgow is true heaven with excellent food, drinks and unforgettable experiences as well. The lush and beautiful land is full of green areas, evergreen forestry of the Highlands with their sweeping mountains and deep “lochs”, and its compact wildlands, the islands with lots of beautiful beaches and vast views. Oh, what views!
…More
From
$1,426.50
Price varies by group size
From
$1,426.50
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More

Essential Walking Tour of Edinburgh's Old Town
What better way to acquaint yourself with the layout of Edinburgh's medieval Old Town than a private tour with your own experienced guide.
In 3 hours your guide will cover all of the highlights of the Old Town as well as the hidden gems that the unwary visitor misses.
Your guide will scratch under the surface of each location helping the visitor to understand why the city has such a gruesome history. Although many people think it is just about the Castle, it is much more than that. It is about the people who lived and died in the Old Town.
You will hear stories of body-snatchers, of witches and the religious zealots that sent them to their deaths. We will explain how Scotland went from independent country to becoming part of the United Kingdom and its impact on Edinburgh
The 18th century was a period that saw the rebirth of Edinburgh through learning and education. This period became known as the Scottish Enlightenment. Come on this tour to be entertained and enlightened.
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From
$136.19
Price varies by group size
From
$136.19
Price varies by group size
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Learn More
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