St Cecilia’s Hall
Address: 50 Niddry Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1LG
St Cecilia’s Hall is a music museum that houses the University of Edinburgh’s remarkable collection of musical instruments. With around 500 items on display, some dating back to the 16th century, the museum offers a fascinating journey through the history of music. The collection spans all instrument families and showcases pieces from various historical periods. You can learn about the evolution of design, with multiple versions of each instrument over time. The museum also features some rare, unusual and striking instruments.
The instruments in the collection are historic and rare, and most are protected behind glass. However, you can download an interactive app onto your phone or tablet, allowing you to explore selected instruments and hear the sounds they make. This helps to bring the collection to life. Additionally, an engaging audio tour is available, giving further information and insight. The Concert Hall within St Cecilia’s also hosts a widely varied programme of concerts throughout the year.
5 things to do at St Cecilia’s Hall
- Take in the architecture of St Cecilia’s Hall, a historic Georgian building and concert hall dating from 1763.
- Explore the musical instrument collection with around 500 historic instruments, including rare and unique items, dating from the 16th century onwards.
- Enhance your visit with the audio guide, offering insightful stories and historical context about the instruments on display.
- Download the museum’s app to hear what selected instruments sounded like and discover more about their history and evolution.
- Attend a concert or event. Check for performances or events in the beautiful concert hall, the oldest purpose-built concert hall in Scotland.
