In the heart of the Old Town, you will find St Cecilias Hall Concert Room and Music Museum on Niddry Street, which exists today as part of the University of Edinburgh.
It is the oldest concert hall in Scotland, and along with being one of the citys many free museums, it hosts concerts and events throughout the year.
Inside you will find a world-class selection of old and new instruments from around the world, with displays devoted to keyboards, strings, brasswind, woodwind and percussion.
The Collection & What to See
The star of the building is the elliptical Georgian concert room upstairs, opened in 1763 and still used for recitals today, its shallow dome designed to carry sound from performers to a small, intimate audience. The galleries around it hold hundreds of historic instruments, including harpsichords, clavichords and early pianos that are among the most important surviving examples anywhere.
Because it belongs to the University, the collection is genuinely scholarly, yet the labelling is friendly and many pieces are shown in a way that helps you imagine how they once sounded.
Location & Visiting
Niddry Street runs off the Royal Mile near the Cowgate, so the museum is a couple of minutes from the Tron Kirk and South Bridge. Admission is free, but opening days are limited compared with the bigger museums, so check the University pages before setting out. Catching a live recital in the concert room is the best possible way to experience the place.
Who It Suits
Music lovers, anyone curious about how instruments evolved, and visitors who enjoy quiet, uncrowded corners of the Old Town. It is small, so it pairs well with a longer Royal Mile walk.
Practical Tips
- Admission is free, but check the opening days as they are more limited than most museums.
- If you can, time your visit to a concert in the historic upstairs room.
- It is tucked down Niddry Street, so watch for the sign just off the Royal Mile.
- Combine it with the Museum of Childhood and John Knox House further up the Mile.
- The instrument galleries are compact, so around an hour is plenty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is St Cecilias Hall free to visit?
Yes, the music museum is free. Opening days are more limited than the larger museums, so check the University of Edinburgh pages before you go.
What can you see at St Cecilias Hall?
Scotlands oldest concert hall plus galleries of historic keyboards, strings, brass, woodwind and percussion instruments, many of international importance.
Can you attend a concert there?
Yes. The Georgian concert room still hosts recitals and events through the year, which is the finest way to hear the room as it was meant to sound.
