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Camera obscura is the natural optical phenomenon that occurs when an image of a scene at the other side of a screen is projected through a small hole in that screen as a reversed and inverted image on a surface opposite to the opening.
In Edinburgh, it is the name of one of the most entertaining museums I have ever been to!
Camera Obscura is a museum encompassing five floors of optical experiences.
Working our way from the bottom of the building to the top, we first experienced the Magic Gallery. Here, we made our way through a mirror maze and then into the giant spinning kaleidoscope. I must admit, walking through a spinning, lighted tunnel was extremely difficult but fascinating. Although the surface your feet is touching does not move, only the tunnel around you, your mind is tricked to the point that you think that you are spinning. Being that I am subject to vertigo, I almost fell to the ground when I walked into the tunnel. I had to close my eyes and feel my way to the end holding the handrail. My son on the other hand, went back five times!
Other floors explore Electricity, Moving Pictures, Optical Illusions and Moving Light and Lenses. There are so many things to do here, boredom would never be an issue and it is an amazing place to bring children. Not wanting to ruin a visit for anyone, I won’t describe many things as I feel that you should be surprised by all there is to do and see. However, here were a couple of our favorite things.
The rooftop Camera Obscura show utilizes a Victorian rooftop chamber and giant periscope which projects live moving images of Edinburgh onto a viewing table. Because we had visited during the evening hours we could not experience the full extent of how the camera works as in the daytime and we were offered a discount on our tickets and an invitation to return the next day. When we arrived on the rooftop, however, one of the very friendly employees asked us to duck into the chamber to try and see what we could. Because the Christmas market was being held just off of Princes street, there actually was quite a bit of light. Though it wasn’t like seeing the city during the day, it did give us an understanding as to how the camera operates. Amazing that such a simple array of mirrors, lenses and light can capture so much and at such a great distance.
Camera Obscura is a fun way to spend a few hours in Edinburgh and should not be missed. You won’t be sorry!
Camera Obscura
- http://www.camera-obscura.co.uk/
- Address: 549 Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2ND, UK
- Hours: July-August, 0900-2100, September-October, 0930-1930, November-March, 1000-1800, April-June, 0930-1900, Closed December 25
- Admission: Adults, £15.00, Students (with ID) £13.00, Senior, £13.00, Children 5-15, £9.00, Children under 5 years, free