Camera Obscura – Fun in Edinburgh

\We enter Camera Obscura – my nine-year-old is gone. What? I look around and find him.  He has RACED into the exhibition area and is jumping up and down with excitement.

We are told we have a show in 10 minutes and to head to the roof.

This is a historic building and so there are only stairs to the 6th floor.  But the view alone is worth the steps. Just so much to see.  I suggest you get there early and take time to enjoy the view. We then head into the camera room. The heart of Camera Obscura. Adults stand on the outside, children sit.

The Camera Obscura show is an educational and highly amusing time with a grab member of staff who engaged us all as he took us to see the city and learn about its history.

From inside this small Victorian rooftop chamber, you see live moving live images of Edinburgh projected onto a viewing table (e learn that it is made of wood) through a giant periscope. The kids love how you can pick people up on your hands, squash them; drop them, have fun with them and even make the traffic climb over paper bridges. 

We hear stories of Edinburgh, past and present, in an engaging, interesting and informative way. I’m glad we did this at the start of the day as we learned so much.   In this age of high technology, a simple array of mirror, lenses, and daylight can produce this incredible panorama. 

If you do anything in Edinburgh, I suggest you experience the Camera Obscura – it is like stepping back in time!

We then head down to the next floor.  The fun continues.

There is so much to do and so many things to play with an experience for both adult and child. Make sure you read the signs as there are tricky things to do that sometimes you miss otherwise.

Next thing I know Explorason has ripped off his shirt and is standing before the heat camera, and we had a really great time. There is also a dark room with lights like dots the makes you feel like you are walking in space with a million stars.

To me, the walking in lights was the highlight.

Even as we leave and go to the bathroom it is fun.  Fun toilet seats make the end to our visit memorable.

Attraction Name: Camera Obscura

Location:  549 Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2ND

Telephone:  0131 226 3709

Website: http://www.camera-obscura.co.uk

Date visited: May 2014

Child-friendly: Yes  

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