Surgeons' Hall Museum

Surgeons' Hall Museum Home to the largest & most historic collection of surgical pathology in the world.
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Surgeons' Hall Museum was developed as a teaching museum for students of medicine, its fascinating collections, including bone and tissue specimens, artefacts and works of art, have also been open to the public since 1832, making it Scotland’s oldest museum. Please note photography is prohibited in the museum in accordance with the Human Tissue (2006) Scotland Act.

This watercolour painting of a human and animal skull resting on some books was painted by J Murray in 1883. Also restin...
02/09/2026

This watercolour painting of a human and animal skull resting on some books was painted by J Murray in 1883. Also resting on the books are a tooth, a vertebra and the bones of a finger.

If you can see it - You can be it : Visibility & Representation in Surgery is an event for students interested in explor...
01/09/2026

If you can see it - You can be it : Visibility & Representation in Surgery is an event for students interested in exploring a career in surgery.

Join us at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh for an exciting afternoon of surgical speakers, many of which are from traditionally underrepresented groups in surgery.

The event will address some of the “myths” and concerns many face when considering surgical careers including, maternity/childcare/caring, sexism, racism, disability, and surgical culture.

Alongside hearing from our speakers, you’ll learn about available support, career advice and have the opportunity to network with surgeons from a wide range of surgical specialties.

The event will take place on the campus of the with free access to Surgeons’ Hall Museums on the day of the event.

You can attend in person: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/if-you-can-see-it-you-can-be-it-visibility-representation-in-surgery-tickets-1988552606376?aff=oddtdtcreator
or online: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/if-you-can-see-it-you-can-be-it-visibility-representation-in-surgery-tickets-1988552606376?aff=oddtdtcreator

James Young Simpson used these stethoscopes at his practice. One is made of turned rosewood and the other of carved ivor...
31/08/2026

James Young Simpson used these stethoscopes at his practice. One is made of turned rosewood and the other of carved ivory. The large, flat end was placed against the ear and the other end against the patient's skin.

28/08/2026

In this episode Dr Theeba Krishnamoorthy discusses early South Asian women in medicine and their links to Edinburgh. Researching women from her profession, she uncovered an overlooked legacy of pioneering doctors whose lives crossed continents, cultures and barriers.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts!
https://shows.acast.com/beyond-the-knife/episodes/south-asian-medical-women

This hairball comes from the stomach of a donkey. The donkey was quite old and had been unwell for some time without any...
27/08/2026

This hairball comes from the stomach of a donkey. The donkey was quite old and had been unwell for some time without any obvious explanation. On post mortem examination 3 hairballs were found. This one measures 6.5cm in diameter.

For this week we are looking for two words you would find in our Wohl Pathology gallery. Can you solve the anagram?
26/08/2026

For this week we are looking for two words you would find in our Wohl Pathology gallery. Can you solve the anagram?

This knife was carried by a young thatcher. The handwritten label reads:'This knife was carried in a back pocket and was...
24/08/2026

This knife was carried by a young thatcher. The handwritten label reads:

'This knife was carried in a back pocket and was driven into the gluteal region by a bundle of withes thrown over the shoulder. A gluteal aneurism resulted on which Mr Syme operated.'

The team have been hard at work in rehearsals over the past couple of weeks and can't wait to bring In Her Hand to life ...
20/08/2026

The team have been hard at work in rehearsals over the past couple of weeks and can't wait to bring In Her Hand to life at the Edinburgh Fringe. We're thrilled to share that our entire run is completely sold out!

For this week, we are looking for a name you would come across in our current temporary exhibition Edinburgh: City of ...
19/08/2026

For this week, we are looking for a name you would come across in our current temporary exhibition Edinburgh: City of Medicine.

This kind of dilator appears in textbooks from the 16th century onwards. It uses a squeezing action at the handles to pr...
17/08/2026

This kind of dilator appears in textbooks from the 16th century onwards. It uses a squeezing action at the handles to produce a strong, but limited, action at the end of the arms. Surgeons often used dilators in operations to remove a bladder stone

Address

Royal College Of Surgeons Of Edinburgh, Nicolson Street
Edinburgh
EH89DW

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+ 44 131 527 1711

Website

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