Edinburgh Museums by Foot
Explore Edinburgh’s Historic and Cultural Treasures
Discover Edinburgh’s museums
The main hall in the National Museum (a classic bit of Victoriana)
With the exception of the moderately priced Georgian House, all of the Museums (and places of cultural interest) on this itinerary are FREE. I am not sure that you will be able to do all of them in one go. The ones not to miss are Greyfriars Kirkyard, the National Museum, the Museum on the Mound and the National Gallery.
The National Museum of Modern Art is nice enough but a bit “provincial”. If there is one to skip, it would be this one. Particularly as it is quite a bit away from the centre.
- Greyfriar’s Churchyard (5 out of 5 for me, must not miss. 4.5 on Tripadvisor)
Cross over the Meadows and carry straight on at the top. You will see Greyfriars Kirkyard beside the Greyfriar’s Bobby pub.
It is a real step back in time.
The National Covenant was signed here
“In 1638, the National Covenant was presented and signed in front of the pulpit. This was a document of great importance in the history of Scotland (an original copy is on displayed in our museum). This was a crucial development in a turbulent period in Scotland’s history, revolving around religious and civil freedom. For centuries, the idea of monarchs ruling by ‘divine right’ was the established norm; but reformers, though loyal to the monarch, could not accept the idea of his or her divine authority to govern. The Covenant was the resulting declaration of rights; the right of ordinary people to exercise their God-given consciences in matters of faith and life. By promoting the idea that no individual had privileged access to, or knowledge of, the divine, and by encouraging people to read the scriptures for themselves, it could be argued that the Reformation movement led eventually to the ideas of democratic rights that developed during the eighteenth-century Enlightenment.”
//greyfriarskirk.com/history/the-national-covenant/
2. The National Museum (4.7 on Tripadvisor)
3. The Museum on the Mound (4.4 on Tripadvisor)
Want to see what £1,000,000 looks like:
“A lovely little gem of a find. Give yourself an hour to get around it. Brilliant history about Scotlands financial and banking history as well as showing all the old notes and coinage. You can also see the old banking “technology” as well as new. Also you get to see what £1,000,000 looks like. Well worth the visit.”
4. The National Gallery (pre-contemporary) (4.5 on Tripadvisor)
If you do not have all that much time, and Dutch seascapes from the eighteenth century are not really of all that much interest to you, go straight to the Impressionists. If you have time, it is worth lingering.
“Interesting museum with beautiful painting. The building is beautiful inside and the paintings come into their own. Oddly enough, the highlight of the museum seems to be the Dutch masters. There are plenty of them; Rembrandt, Frans Hals, Johannes Vermeer, Jan Steen and a number of works by Rembrandt’s pupils.”
If you are tired after all this culture and feel that you have had enough after the National Gallery, just hop on the N° 9 bus to get back to the house. The Mound stop is right beside the National Gallery (going up the hill)
5. The National Portrait Gallery (4.6 on Tripadvisor)
This is a small museum that is worth it for the architecture alone (Neo-Gothic). Perhaps, though, if you do not have all that much time in Edinburgh, you could skop this one, charming as it is.
“A neo-Gothic palace dedicated to exploring various aspects of the Scottish story, this gallery is a hidden gem right at the heart of Edinburgh. Discover contemporary portraits of pop culture icons like Billy Connolly, Emeli Sandé and Tilda Swinton. You will spot recent pioneers in science, sport and the arts and sit alongside famous historical figures such as Mary Queen of Scots, Robert Burns and Charles Edward Stuart. The gallery is decorated in elaborate murals and sculptural embellishments inside and out – really, take time to look up at the Zodiac ceiling in the world-famous Great Hall. Seriously, it is like 2,000 golden stars and 47 constellations!”
6. The Georgian House (4.6 on Tripadvisor)
You can get back to the house with the 24 bus from here.
7. After the Georgian House, this is maybe the chance to take in Dean Village.
8. The Gallery of Modern Art (4.2 – 4.4 on Tripadvisor)
If you have the stamina, continue on to the Gallery of Modern Art:
Coming Back by Bus
If you do actually manage to get as far as the Gallery of Modern Art, you will be pretty tired, I imagine. Here is how to come back by bus.
Get the 19, the 37 or the 47 from Learmouth Terrace. Then:
The Jupiter Artland
Here is a pleasant place to visit if you are in a car.