Things to do in Edinburgh this Autumn

At Camera Obscura we are always looking for fun activities to do in Edinburgh and this month we have a couple of suggestions.

Sea Creatures is an amazing display sure to entertain the family. It takes place at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh from 21 September – 5^th October (10am-6pm). It provides a close up look at the organs and insides of some of the oceans most majestic creatures. Specimens which have been ethically sourced include a Baleen Whale, Whale Shark, Great White Shark, Dolphin, Seal, and Octopus just to name a few on display.

There will also be an educational exhibition that uses VR (virtual Reality) to fully immerse yourself in the underwater world. If you want to find out more or book tickets follow the link below;

https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Edinburgh/Royal-Highland-Centre/Sea-Creatures-Life-Beneath-The-Ocean-/13253913/

The Edinburgh Doors Open day event is an amazing way to see parts of the city that are not usually available for public viewing. The event runs from 29^th September – 30^th September and it is free of charge to join in at participating attractions and venues.

Now running for its 27^th year you can exploring Edinburgh in a whole new way with amazing access to exhibitions and walking tours. Previous building that have taken part in this event include Canongate Kirk, John Knox House, Parliament house just to name a few.

The Camera Obscura and World of Illusions Edinburgh is not included in the Open Day event, however there are 2 events we are really excited about:

We are excited to say that the Kirriemuir Camera Obscura will be open free of charge to the public along with Sir Patrick Geddes’ apartment in Ramsay Garden (just across the road from us).

Sir Patrick Geddes owned Camera Obscura and World of Illusions and he inspired how we run the attraction today. He was a fascinating man and had a huge impact on Edinburgh. If you want to find out more or visit Sir Patrick Geddes’ apartment follow the link down below:

http://www.doorsopendays.org.uk/places/edinburgh/sir-patrick-geddes-apartment-ramsay-gardens/

Written by Christine McCleary

Fresher’s Fun at Camera Obscura

We love welcoming students to experience all of our mind-boggling exhibits and to celebrate the start of a new term we’ve a special offer just for you!

Visit us during your Fresher’s Week and receive an entry ticket for only £9.50 (that’s a saving of over 40%)!

This special offer is valid from 5pm-8pm each evening, and all you have to do it show your student ID at our admissions desk.

We understand that starting university can be a stressful time, especially if you are moving away from home. But you couldn’t have picked a better location than Edinburgh, one of the friendliest cities in the world. Edinburgh has everything to offer; a big city lifestyle all within a small, walkable location; lots of green spaces and parks; some of the most historically significant buildings and collections in the world from Edinburgh Castle to the National Museum of Scotland; and of course Camera Obscura & World of Illusions!

We have over 100 interactive exhibits, including our Vortex Tunnel, Mirror Maze, Ames Room and the best 360 rooftop views of Edinburgh, Camera Obscura is a fun, hilarious, memorable visit, which will help you feel welcome in the city and give you a talking point for years to come. Situated right beside Edinburgh Castle and with the longest opening hours of any attraction in the city, we’ve exhibits and views to keep you entertained for hours.

Student Fresher’s discount
£9.50 entry, 5pm-8pm each evening with student ID

1-9 September, Heriot-Watt University
8-17 September, Queen Margaret University
8-14 September, Edinburgh University
9-16 September, Napier University

End of Festival Fireworks 2018

Image copied from – https://edinburghfestival.list.co.uk/festival/edinburgh-international-festival/

Well the festival is almost over and we cannot wait to see the end of festival fireworks! Read on to discover our top suggestions for the best viewing spots in the city.

The end of the Edinburgh International Festival is marked every year by a spectacular Fireworks Concert. The end of festival fireworks will take place on Monday August 27^th 2018. The 45-minute display of colour, explosions and music will light up the night sky and illuminate the city with a fantastic atmosphere. The concert itself starts at 9:00pm, with stirring accompanying music from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, but the real fun begins at 9:30pm with the fireworks!

You can find out more about the concert in Princes Street gardens at https://www.eif.co.uk/whats-on/virgin-money-fireworks-concert

Or you can but tickets here https://www.eif.co.uk/whats-on/2018/virginmoneyfireworks

Alternatively, there are a few locations across the city where you can get great views for free! This includes

• Arthur’s Seat
• Calton Hill
• Princes Street
• Waverley Bridge

Remember to wrap up warm, check the weather forecast and enjoy looking skywards. We hope you have a great time enjoying the firework display and celebrating Edinburgh’s magnificent festivals as much as we plan too!

Image by Light Over Scotland 

How to survive Edinburgh’s festivals – Camera Obscura’s top tips

As August draws closer we’re getting ready to survive the festival madness that descends on Edinburgh. As home to the biggest and best festivals in the world, it can be a little overwhelming, so where do you start? Don’t panic, we’re here to give you some top tips while visiting Edinburgh and Camera Obscura & World of Illusions.

1. Wear sensible/comfy shoes

Sounds obvious, but there is a lot of walking to be done in Edinburgh and at Camera Obscura. We have six floors with the most spectacular rooftop views as well as over 100 interactive exhibitions you won’t want to miss.

2. Arrive early

With so much to do, you’ll want to get started as early as possible to fit it all in. Camera Obscura has the longest opening hours of any attraction in the city open 9am-9pm every day. So arrive early or later in the evening to beat the queues and have a fantastic time!

3. Remember your ticket is valid all-day

Yes, really! Pop-in, leave for some lunch, take in a show, then come back for twinkling evening views and mind-boggling fun. An average visit takes 1.5-2 hours.

4. Edinburgh is open for business everyday

The city that never sleeps, during the festival anyway! We’re open 7 days a week until 9pm.

5. Allow time and be prepared

Edinburgh is the perfect size for walking around, with so much to discover from an extinct volcano to an underground street! However, during August the city’s population doubles, that’s over 1 million people. Do a bit of research before you start out, making sure you know where you’re going and allow plenty of time to get there, navigating crowds. Camera Obscura is situated at the top of Castlehill, right beside Edinburgh Castle, and it can get very busy.

What’s on in Edinburgh this July

With our current heatwave you may be looking for things to do in Edinburgh. Here’s a few upcoming events happening in early July which that we are looking forward too at Camera Obscura.

Scottish Ale festival – something to quench your thirst

This event is taking place at The Edinburgh Corn Exchange and is a dog friendly event.

It is taking place on

Thursday 5th – Saturday 7th July

12:00 – 22:30 Thursday & Friday

12:00 – 21:30 Saturday

Admission £6

Find out more at https://sraf.camra.org.uk/

Tiny Tales: Rhyme time Journey – something for the little ones!

Storytelling Bothy, Edinburgh

Join Eric Brennan and a host of fluffy creatures on a fun filled trip to meet lots of favourite nursery rhyme characters. Interactive songs and rhymes guaranteed to make you smile.

Start Date: 03 July 2018 10:00

End Date: 03 July 2018 12:15

Full Price – £5.00

Free Adult Ticket – £0.00

Adult Without Child – £5.00

(2-5yrs | Please remember to select a free adult ticket as well as a ticket for your child)

Book Now at http://www.tracscotland.org/scottish-storytelling-centre/centre-events/9479/tiny-tales-rhymetime-journey

Alternatively, if you are nearby or in the city centre why not say hi to us at Camera Obscura we would love to see you. We are now open 9am -10pm!

Written by Christine McCleary

Dugs Welcome

At Camera Obscura we love man’s best friend – dogs!

We can’t get enough of those puppy dog eyes and wagging tails which is why Camera Obscura is a dog friendly attraction! They are part of the family after all.

You can take your furry friend around the whole attraction and even enjoy a Camera Obscura show together. All we do is double check that the rest of the audience is comfortable with a dog in the room.

We have 98 steps in total within in the attraction and will provide dogs with water at any point of their visit so they don’t get dehydrated. Don’t worry about accidents either, we are happy to help. It is worth it to know that the whole family (dog included) can have a fun day out.

If you are travelling to Edinburgh and have a dog we recommend you check out these websites and articles which list dog friendly attractions and restaurants in the city:

Dugs Welcome – https://www.dugswelcome.com/days-out/days-out-scotland/edinburgh-camera-obscura/

Edinburgh Evening News – https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/our-region/edinburgh/12-of-the-most-dog-friendly-places-in-edinburgh-1-4695576

Four Square – https://foursquare.com/top-places/edinburgh/best-places-dog-friendly

Written by Christine McCleary

What’s been happening this June

June has already been an eventful month in the city with Edinburgh Pride and the Edinburgh Cycling Festival.

Our rainbow flag was flying for the Edinburgh Pride March to help show support and we were delighted to be near all the events and festivities taking place.

We were also lucky enough to have a bird’s eye of the Edinburgh Cycle festival including HSBC’S Let’s Ride Edinburgh, that took place in the city on the 24/06/18. It was beautiful weather for the cyclist’s making it the perfect day to be out on your bike.

With the warm weather looking to continue remember that our Camera Obscura works best during clear sunny days so we look forward to you coming in to enjoy our rooftop views and of course our Camera Obscura show!

 

Media and Filming at Camera Obscura

We’ve had a busy time over the past couple of months welcoming lots of film and media enquiries to the site. We love to welcome journalists, vloggers, bloggers and photographers to the attraction to capture all the exciting exhibits and most often our stunning views of Edinburgh, which make Camera Obscura and World of Illusions a popular request with the media.

Recent activity includes being featured on BBC One Scotland from the Sky, BBC One Bargain Hunt, Mini Travellers blog, Avengers Infinity War, being part of Edinburgh’s City of Superheroes, welcoming the Glasgow2018 mascot, Wide Days blog, Instgrammer visits from #UncoverEdinburgh, Scottish Field Magazine and the family from Super Toys Universe to take a vlog. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see all the most recent activity.

The history of the attraction sparks the imagination of lots of content creation, being Edinburgh’s oldest purpose build visitor attraction, operating since 1853. The Camera Obscura itself is a scientific marvel, and has been delighting visitors with its live projections of Edinburgh for over 150 years.

Our five floors of illusions leave the mind boggling and there are certainly lots of photo and filming opportunities around the site. From bright coloured electric globes and kaleidoscopes, the shrinking room, mirror maze, vortex tunnel and severed head, getting photographs to show a fun-filled experience or highlight science and illusion are in abundance.

We always try to be accommodating and welcome media to the site. We recommend this is out of hours, first thing in the morning before we open works best for us. If you are interested in capturing content of the Camera Obscura Show please be aware that this is weather dependent (and unfortunately we can’t control the weather!).

To get in touch and arrange a media visit please contact Claire Riddoch, Marketing Manager on claire@camera-obscura.co.uk or call 0131 226 3709

More information about Camera Obscura and World of Illusions can be found on our website camera-obscura.co.uk

Facebook /camobscura
Twitter @camobscura
Instagram @camobscura1

May Bank Holiday Weekend

At Camera Obscura we are enjoying the warm weather this weekend and thinking of things to do in Edinburgh on Bank holiday Monday.

If you are a in the city centre why not take the time and check out the Lego model display at the National Museum of Scotland  – https://www.nms.ac.uk/national-museum-of-scotland/whats-on/build-it-a-museum-made-from-lego/

It has an amazing Lego display of the National Museum built by renowned Lego brick artist Warren.

If the weather changes this afternoon (we never have faith in the Scottish sunshine) why not see a film?

If you have the kids, have already watched, ‘Avengers; Infinity War’ and want something else to see that’s not too expensive, why not check out Odeon Kids – http://www.odeon.co.uk/kids/

These early morning movies show slightly older films but at a much cheaper price. It is a great way to catch up on films you may have missed without being as expensive.

The Vue cinema does a similar experience called Mini- Mornings. Find out what’s showing at https://www.myvue.com/offers/mini-mornings

Alternatively, if the sun is shining and you’re looking for something to do, why not say hello to us at Camera Obscura. Our Camera Obscura “show” works best during sunny days and we would love to see you.

Written by Christine McCleary

Celebrating a Super weekend!

Edinburgh Evening News Superhero Weekend

At Camera Obscura and World of Illusions we have had fantastic fun helping supporting the City of Superheroes activity in Edinburgh city centre, helping celebrate the new Marvel film Avengers: Infinity War.

Did you know that our Rooftop Terrace was used by the film crew to capture the best scenic views of the city to use in the movie? See if you can spot some of Edinburgh’s most iconic landmarks while watching the film.

During the weekend of 27-29 April we dressed up and had fun with some amazing local superheroes, big and small! Including Super mum and her children pictured below.

Even Super Cameron the bear felt brave with his cape and mask and dared to go through our Vortex Tunnel. It takes super human strength go through this marvel in one go, but he succeeded.

For all those that took part in the celebrations you may have hung up your capes, but the adventure is just beginning because Camera Obscura will be announcing the winners of our Infinity Stone Scavenger Hunt. We will be contact the lucky winners via email to confirm their prizes of £20 Amazon Vouchers or free Cineworld tickets.

Written by Christine McCleary