What to see in the Museums
Reid Concert Hall Museum of Instruments
See Wind, Bowed String and Percussion Instruments from all periods and places, with an emphasis on European instruments
On display are nearly 1000 items including stringed, woodwind, brass and percussion instruments from Britain, Europe and from other continents. The instrumental history of the Orchestra, the Wind Band, Theatre, Dance, Popular Music, Brass Bands, etc is exemplified by the instruments on display, which include many beautiful examples of the instrument-maker's art over the past 400 years.
Current exhibition: The Frank Tomes Collection extended to 31 May 2013
The museum retains a Victorian atmosphere, and gives a feeling of discovery as one explores its crowded 1859 showcases.
Sound guides are available on request in the galleries - hear musicians talking about and playing the instruments !
Catalogues, technical drawings and other publications are on sale.
The Reid Concert Hall Museum of Instruments is a Fully Accredited Museum with Arts Council England, in partnership with Museums Galleries Scotland.
Edinburgh University Collection of Historic Musical Instruments is a Recognised Collection of National Significance to Scotland.- See How to Find us
- See Museum opening times
St Cecilia's Hall Museum of Instruments
(The Raymond Russell and the Rodger Mirrey Collections of Early Keyboard Instruments and the Anne Macaulay Collection of Plucked String Instruments)
On display are some 50 of the world's most important and best-preserved early keyboard instruments: harpsichords, virginals, spinets, organs and fortepianos from the period of their first construction to around 1840, many in playing order, and a display of harps, lutes, citterns and guitars. The auditorium at St Cecilia's Hall which dates from 1763 is the oldest concert hall in Scotland, and the second oldest in Britain.
2013 is the 250th anniversary of the opening of St Cecilia's Hall
Current exhibition: Sir Nicholas Shackleton and his Collection to June 2013
Audio guides are available on request in the galleries - hear the sounds of many of the instruments you see on your visit
Postcards, publications, and recordings are on sale.
The St Cecilia's Hall Museum of Instruments is a Fully Accredited Museum with Arts Council England, in partnership with Museums Galleries Scotland.
Edinburgh University Collection of Historic Musical Instruments is a Recognised Collection of National Significance to Scotland.- See How to Find us
- See Museum opening times
This article was published on 19 March 2013