Museum of Edinburgh

The Museum of Edinburgh occupies Huntly House, a 16th-century building at 142 Canongate on the lower Royal Mile, close to the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Scottish Parliament. The building itself is a highlight, with timber-framed gables, low ceilings and a series of small rooms arranged around a staircase, and it gives a sense of how residents of the old burgh of Canongate once lived. The museum tells the history of Edinburgh from prehistoric times to the modern day through objects, paintings, furniture, silver, glass and pottery. One of its most notable items is a copy of the National Covenant of 1638, and the museum also holds the collar and bowl linked to Greyfriars Bobby, the famous Skye terrier. Displays on the city's trades, such as pottery, glass-making and silversmithing, help explain its development. Entry is free, and the museum is run by Edinburgh Museums and Galleries, which publishes current opening hours on its website. A visit takes about 45 minutes to an hour, which makes it an easy addition to a walk down the Royal Mile. The museum is quiet most of the time, and the small rooms can feel crowded only when school groups visit. Weekday mornings are the calmest. The building has narrow stairs and low doorways, so access can be limited. A small shop sells local gifts. Visitors should check the opening hours before going, as they can change seasonally.