Overview

Surgeon's Hall has recently re-opened after a major re-development and the museum is extremely acccessible. Surgeon's Hall consists of 3 museums, the History of Surgery Museum, the Wohl Pathology Museum and the Dental Collection, which are all included in the admission price. During my visit I saw the History of Surgery Museum and the Wohl Pathology Museum, so I am unable to comment on the Dental Collection.

Transport & Parking

There are several buses that stop close by.

Access

Surgeon's Hall is set back from the road and is in its own small garden. There is step free access from the pavement to the museum, and there is a path through the garden, see photo. There are automatic entrance doors, which had a push button. Inside there are stairs and a lift which takes you up to the museum entrance on the third floor. Both the History of Surgery Museum and the Wohl Pathology Museum had step free access. Although the upper floor of the Pathology Museum has narrow doorways and this might not be suitable for some wheelchair users. Both exhibtions are laid out like a traditional museum with cabinets, exhibites and information boards. Some of the objects are easier to view than others. Photos are not allowed inside the museum.

Toilets

There is an accessible toilet in the basement, but I didn't use it when i visited.

Staff

Staff were friendly and welcoming at receiption desk. We had no other contact with staff as we went round the museum.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

Surgeon's Hall tells the history of medicine, especially surgery and pathology, while I find this topic fascinating, it may be too graphic for some people, particuarly the jars of specimens in the Pathology Museum. I was suprised that some fetuses and children's remains were on the shelves along side other human remains, as where I volunteer at Barts Pathology Museum, infants and fetuses are in a restricted location as some people find this deeply distressing, so just be aware of that when you visit if that might be an issue for you. I loved the museum it's full of fascinating history and highlights who important Edinburgh was in the development of medical sciences. I would be very happy to return.

Photos