Edinburgh, ScotlandIf you’re looking for something different to do during your stay in Scotland, don’t miss Edinburgh’s oldest attraction: Camera Obscura & World of Illusions. This unique tourist attraction has been entertaining visitors since 1853 and is considered the most fun in the UK according to TripAdvisor reviews.
The history of Camera Obscura dates back to 1788, when Thomas Short, an instrument maker, passed away, leaving behind a number of instruments displayed in a small building on Calton Hill. In 1827, his daughter Theresa Short returned from the West Indies and took possession of the instrument, which she named the “Great Telescope”.
This instrument, which operates using natural light, projects an image of the city onto a flat surface. Edinburgh’s first Camera Obscura was opened in 1835, and since then it has been continually improved and expanded to become the attraction it is today.
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions is divided into five floors of interactive attractions and optical games. Here’s an overview of each floor:
Start your visit by browsing the gift store, which offers a variety of unique items, such as books on the history of Edinburgh, puzzles, toys, jewelry and more.
The second floor is dedicated to illusions and optical games. Visitors can explore optical illusions, distorting mirrors, holograms and much more.
The magic gallery is filled with interactive experiences, such as plasma balls, a smoke machine, a color touch screen, colored shadows and a light show.
Floor 4 is dedicated to the Ames Room, a room created to deceive the eye by changing the proportions of objects, and to the Mirror Maze, a maze of distorting mirrors.
Floor 5 is dedicated to the camera obscura, which projects a real-time image of the city onto a flat surface. This floor also offers 360-degree panoramic views of Edinburgh from the terrace.
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