Camera Obscura

Camera Obscura & World of Illusions occupies Outlook Tower on Castlehill, at the top of Edinburgh's Royal Mile, just steps from Edinburgh Castle. It is not an astronomical observatory in the modern sense, but a historic optical attraction built around a genuine camera obscura.

About Camera Obscura

The original attraction was founded by entrepreneur Maria Theresa Short in 1835 and was first exhibited on Calton Hill before moving to its current home. Outlook Tower has operated as a museum since the late 1890s and today combines the working camera obscura with five floors of interactive illusions and exhibits.

History

Maria Theresa Short's 1835 camera obscura predates purpose-built astronomical observatories elsewhere in the city, and its long survival on Castlehill makes it one of Edinburgh's oldest continuously operating visitor attractions.

Location & getting there

Outlook Tower stands on Castlehill in Edinburgh's Old Town, on the historic Royal Mile between the Castle and St Giles' Cathedral, making it an easy stop on foot for anyone exploring the city centre.

Visiting Camera Obscura

The attraction is open daily, though exact hours shift with the season, so it's worth checking the official website before setting off. From the rooftop terrace, visitors get one of the best panoramic views over Edinburgh's skyline, day or night.

See your named star from here

Camera Obscura isn't set up for astronomical viewing, but its rooftop terrace offers genuinely dark, open sky on a clear Edinburgh night. If you've named a star through Star Register, you can look up its coordinates in our star catalogue and try to spot it from up here, or from anywhere else with a clear view.