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.

02/06/2026



Genesis is delighted to be working with Surgeons' Hall Museum to present "IN HER HAND" at this years as part of their Women In Surgery project celebrating the pioneering role of women in surgical history.

Written by Jordanna O'Neill and Christopher Silver, In Her Hand is a powerful new play inspired by the extraordinary true
stories of the Scottish Women’s Hospitals. Drawn from
real journals and archive material held by the Royal
College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, this witty and moving
drama follows two women on the Balkan front whose
courage, quick thinking, and humour forge an unlikely
and unbreakable friendship.

Go Home and Sit Still? Aye Right!

Ticket includes Surgeons’ Hall Museum entry.

24 - 29 August | theSpace @ Surgeons' Hall | 15.05

Book tickets: https://tickets.thespaceuk.com/event/911:5356/

This is a set of Roman surgical instruments. Of the set at least three appear to probes; being long thin instruments wit...
01/06/2026

This is a set of Roman surgical instruments. Of the set at least three appear to probes; being long thin instruments with a broadened flattened head. One of the items is a small bowl with a spout let into one side and may be for blood letting.

29/05/2026

In this episode, we’re joined by anatomist and human remains conservator Cat Irving as she explores the long and often bizarre history of gonorrhoea, from early diagnoses and eye-watering treatments to the strange phenomenon of “smurf syndrome.”

Listen wherever you get your podcasts!
https://shows.acast.com/beyond-the-knife/episodes/a-history-of-gonorrhoea

This wooden Stethoscope came from Ward 24 of the old Glasgow Royal Infirmary; one of the wards in which Lister commenced...
28/05/2026

This wooden Stethoscope came from Ward 24 of the old Glasgow Royal Infirmary; one of the wards in which Lister commenced antiseptic practice of surgery. Although binaural stethoscopes were available in Lister’s time it was not uncommon to see simple models such as this one in use.

This saw was made by J Gardner & Son, Edinburgh. It was designed to saw through tissue, ligaments and bone.
25/05/2026

This saw was made by J Gardner & Son, Edinburgh. It was designed to saw through tissue, ligaments and bone.

The Schimmelbusch Mask was invented by Curt Schimmelbusch in 1890 to aid the delivery of liquid anaesthetic such as chlo...
22/05/2026

The Schimmelbusch Mask was invented by Curt Schimmelbusch in 1890 to aid the delivery of liquid anaesthetic such as chloroform. The wire frame was filled with several layers of gauze and placed over the patients mouth and the anaesthetic was dripped on.

A case of trephining instruments by Alexander Still, Edinburgh, formerly the property of Robert Liston (1794-1847). The ...
21/05/2026

A case of trephining instruments by Alexander Still, Edinburgh, formerly the property of Robert Liston (1794-1847). The instruments are all steel, some with ebony handles. The trephines have brass shafts.

This complete set of upper and lower ivory dentures are believed to be from the 18th century. They are held together by ...
18/05/2026

This complete set of upper and lower ivory dentures are believed to be from the 18th century. They are held together by steel springs and swivels. Dentures like these would usually begin to blacken within a year due to saliva. As they broke down they would start to smell.

Three pairs of ‘Lion tooth’ bone forceps, designed by Sir William Fergusson, Serjeant Surgeon to Queen Victoria. The for...
15/05/2026

Three pairs of ‘Lion tooth’ bone forceps, designed by Sir William Fergusson, Serjeant Surgeon to Queen Victoria. The forceps were designed for the removal of the maxilla, they also help the surgeon to grip relatively small segments of bone to hold them firmly.

This wooden mouth gag (or prop) from the 19th century, would have been inserted in a gap between the teeth & screwed so ...
14/05/2026

This wooden mouth gag (or prop) from the 19th century, would have been inserted in a gap between the teeth & screwed so that the patient opened their mouth. With the gag in place the mouth stayed open, this was particularly useful if the patient had a condition such as lockjaw.

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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