Recently we spent a couple days being tourists in our own city, getting to know some of the attractions Edinburgh has to offer. One of our first stops was the Camera Obscura and World of Illusions.
Located on the Royal Mile near the castle and the Scotch Whisky Experience, the Camera Obscura is one of Edinburgh’s top tourist attractions.
When you buy your ticket you also get assigned a time to go see a demonstration of the actual camera obscura on the top floor, which lasts about 15 minutes. You can also go out on the balconies of the top floor for some excellent views of the city and the Royal Mile. In general I’d recommend this as a rainy-day attraction, but the camera obscura and the view are both better on a sunny day.
After you’ve admired the view, it’s time to start down to the four floors of the World of Illusions. Child me would have found this to be the funnest museum in the history of museums; adult me still thinks it’s a pretty good time.
To do the Camera Obscura right, you have to go with someone fun. There are a lot of hands-on exhibits, and you’re going to have to get a little goofy to get the most out of them.
[Edited to add: apparently the illusion in the above photo is just too strong, and people are missing the fact that it is not, in fact, a bowl of candy, but rather a very tempting hologram. Fingers are real.]
We also recommend bringing a camera, as there are many happy vacation photos to be taken inside. Who needs a picture of themselves in front of the Eifel Tower when you can have one of you as an old person?
At £11.95 per adult admission (as of September 2013), you’ll want to make sure you have a couple hours to hang out and get your money’s worth from the Camera Obscura and World of Illusions. A ticket conveniently allows you to leave and come back on the same day, so you don’t have to choose between breaking for lunch and spending some extra quality time in the hall of holograms.
The gift shop contains a well-curated mix of illusions and oddities (including Irn Bru flavored rock candy). I think more than a few friends will be receiving birthday gifts found here.
Who should go? We’d recommend the Camera Obscura and World of Illusions to anyone looking for an afternoon of goofy fun.
Who should skip it? Visitors with limited time in Edinburgh who would rather stick to more historical/cultural sites; sticks in the mud.
That first pic is horrifying AND hilarious! The bald head makes it.
I should have taken a picture from the back – I bet he looks like a melon.