St Cecilia’s Hall Concert Room & Music Museum
With a National Art Pass you get
St Cecilia’s Hall Concert Room & Music Museum is home to the University of Edinburgh's internationally renowned collection of historic musical instruments.
This hidden gem in Edinburgh's Old Town offers a unique blend of musical history and interactive experiences. Built in 1763, St Cecilia’s is the oldest purpose-built concert hall in Scotland. Today the building also encompasses a modern entrance, visible conservation studio, four museum galleries and an education room, and is a must-visit for music enthusiasts.
Explore the instruments collection
Focussing on instruments that are no longer in regular current use, displays cover the period from the 16th to the 20th century. The diverse collection includes pianos, harpsichords, spinets, violins, guitars, cellos, flutes, and clarinets. Though rare or antique, many of the instruments are still playable.
Attend a concert
Enjoy live performances in the historic concert hall, featuring a variety of musical genres. The concert room itself is a beautiful and historic space, featuring original features and acoustics. It is the only place in the world where it is possible to hear 18th-century music in an 18th-century concert hall played on 18th-century instruments.
Events
As well as concerts, St Cecilia’s Hall Concert Room & Music Museum regularly host talks about the history of music. A variety of guided tours that focus on the development of musical instruments are also available on selected days.
Children’s tour
Kids can have fun whilst learning about the history of musical instruments on the museum’s children’s tour. The Discovery Trail and hands-on interactive ‘discover drawers’ give budding young musicians the chance to see how instruments work.
Visitor information
Address
50 Niddry Street, Cowgate, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH1 1LG
01316 502600
Opening times
Opening Hours:
Monday – Closed
Tuesday – 10:00 – 17:00
Wednesday – 10:00 – 17:00
Thursday -10:00 – 17:00
Friday – 10:00 – 17:00
Saturday – 10:00 – 17:00
Sunday – Closed
Last entry is at 16:30 daily.
Closed in late December and early January, see website for details.
Exclusions and safety measures
20% discount offered in our gift shop for National Art Pass holders applies to St Cecilia's Hall stock only.
The museum is free to enter and booking is not necessary.
Visitor information
The more you see, the more we do.
The National Art Pass lets you enjoy free entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, while raising money to support them.