Best History Museum in Leith

"Huntly House, 142 Canongate, Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH8 8DD Open: Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10am - 5pm; Sunday: 12pm - 5pmFree to enter, donations welcome. Found in the iconic bright yellow Huntly House, The Museum of Edinburgh is a must-visit for anyone who wants to discover the story of our city. Take a look at the collar which once belonged to Greyfriar's Bobby, see James Craig's original plans of the New Town, get lost in a spectacular collection of silver and read the historically significant National Covenant."

"Explore Edinburgh’s history while you peruse historic rooms and iconic objects. The Museum also has a fun interactive Learning Space for children, with activities and replica objects, as well as online quizzes and games for after you visit. A must for any family, but in particular the ones with small children."

"Canongate Tolbooth, Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH8 8BNOpen Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 10am - 5pm; Sunday 12pm - 5pmFree to enter, donations welcome. The People's Story museum is located in the Canongate Tolbooth, which is a historic landmark in itself built in 1591. It provides visitors with a realistic and fascinating look at what life was like for Edinburgh citizens in days gone by."

"Sister to the Museum of Edinburgh and also set on the Royal Mile – this time in the 1591 Tolbooth building – this oral history museum delves into the lives of working people in the city, from the 18th century to the late 20th century. You’ll see recreations of a bookbinder’s workshop, a wartime kitchen complete with vintage packaging and a grisly jail cell."

"A post shared by This is Edinburgh (@thisisedinburgh) on Jul 11, 2017 at 5:52am PDT. The People’s Story Museum, as its name suggests, features the everyday lives of Edinburgh’s citizens — from their jobs to what they do for leisure. Opened in 1989, the museum is housed in a former prison that was operational since 1591."

"In a glass cabinet in Surgeons' Hall Museums is a small hide-bound pocketbook the colour of strong tea. The wallet is made from the skin of William Burke, one half of Edinburgh's infamous body-snatchers and killers, Burke and Hare, whose victims were sold to the city's school of anatomy to be dissected. It is artefacts like this – and glass jars filled with gangrenous fingers, cancerous lungs, dried and varnished hearts – that have made the museum, tucked behind the Royal College of Surgeons, a favourite of crime writers."

"Royal College of Surgeons on Nicholson Street, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.|© Duncan Hale-Sutton / Alamy Stock Photo. One for visitors with strong stomachs, the collections of the Surgeons’ Hall were started way back in 1699 and include all sorts of tortuous looking surgical and dental implements – the most perused exhibits are those relating to infamous Edinburgh grave robbers Burke and Hare. But it’s not all sensationalism – the museum also explores the city’s crucial role in the evolution of surgery and medicine."

"The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh was founded in 1505 and the city has been an important location for medical research ever since. The museum here was originally designed as a teaching museum for students, but it first opened to the public in 1832. There's a history of surgery, a dental collection, and a fascinating collection of pathological anatomy."

"Address: 43-45 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1SRVisitor guide:John Knox House. John Knox’s house in the middle of The Royal Mile is a historic building that was reputedly lived in by the Protestant reformer in the 16th-century. Although Knox only lived in the house for a short time it’s his association with the building that prevented it from being demolished in 1840 when many other derelict buildings were being torn down."

"The John Knox House dates back to 1470, making it one of the oldest buildings in Edinburgh, as well as the oldest on the Royal Mile. Today, it’s a beautifully maintained museum that showcases the house and those who lived here, with special attention paid to the Scottish Reformation. Although it’s not on every tourist’s trail, those who do their research will be well rewarded with a fascinating trip back through time."

"The stripped-down, low-fi, traditional art of storytelling has had something of a resurgence in Britain over the last decade or so, and…"

"Perhaps Edinburgh’s most visible landmark, the Castle perches on top of a rocky outcrop at the head of the Royal Mile, and includes ceremonial rooms, fortifications, dungeons and Scotland’s Honours or crown jewels. Inside, the National War Museum (nms.ac.uk) delves into the past 400 years of the country’s military history.Castlehill, 225 9846 (info)/ 668 8081 (bookings), edinburghcastle.gov.uk / nms.ac.uk/war Apr–Sep daily 9.30am–6pm; Oct–Mar daily 9.30am–5pm. £16 (£13; children £9.20; under 5s free)."

"Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, EH1 2NGOpen daily, 09:45 – 17:45. Entry to the museum is free. (Historic Environment Scotland charges for admission to Edinburgh Castle where the National War Museum is locate)."

"The Physicians' Gallery is a free public exhibition space which is part of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. Our exhibitions are based on the wealth of historical medical material which the College has collected over the last 300 years. ‘Moonstruck: 500 years of mental health’ is our new free exhibition– opening on 14 June 2019 and running until Spring 2020"

"Housed in a converted warehouse and serving a menu that’s about as far removed from stereotypical Scottish cooking as imaginable, Tapa has earned itself a loyal following among in-the-know residents in Leith. Its take on Spanish tapas dishes provides a break from the norm: there are melt-in-your-mouth ribs, and the chef’s mother offers her own recipe for venison stew that’s not to be missed."

"The lunch menu at Bell’s Diner has barely changed in 40 years, but why change a winning formula?. This cute little diner on the corner of St Stephen Street has been serving up gourmet burgers long before the likes of Byron got in on the act. Its steaks are also excellent and come with a choice of five sauces (go for the garlic butter), while the large hot fudge sundae pancakes are legendary in these parts."

"Their menu is filled to the brim with crepes, waffles, pancakes and chocolate fondue, all with what seems like an endless choice of toppings and combinations. From warm pancakes to fresh fruit, they pour chocolate on everything. And if that’s just not enough, you can wash it all down with a uniquely flavoured hot chocolate, like black pepper dark or mint white."

"How would you like to unwind and relax with a box of delicious handmade chocolates?. Coco of Bruntsfield specializes in fine organic chocolate in a range of delicious forms. You'll find some amazing, irresistible treats crafted by artisan chocolatiers here and in the sister store on Broughton Street."

"There’s gooey, melted chocolate written all over this place and with desserts such as ‘death by chocolate cake’ (in the photo) and ‘peanut and salted caramel fudge cheesecake’ on the menu you will satisfy even your wildest chocolate cravings."