The Royal College of Surgeons was founded in 1505 to promote the highest standards of surgical practice, and remains one of the world’s leading institutions for the establishment of standards, and the teaching and development of surgical medicine. It has had a long and fascinating history as an institution, but what most people will know it for is its wonderful architecture, and the adjacent museum.

First the building: built in the first half of the 19th century, it was designed by William Henry Playfair (1790-1857), the foremost Scottish architect of the period. He delivered them the confident, classical Greek temple design we see today, with a bold Doric pediment forming the main street frontage. The two gates have impressive classical stone arches to the street, flanking the main facade.

The complex originally contained a meeting hall, Museum, Lecture Room and Library and, although the complex has since expanded, the original buildings are well preserved and even contain some of the furniture, purpose designed for the College by Playfair himself. The interiors are equally splendid, with the feel of a comfortable Stately Home.

The Museum, as others have described, is fascinating both to the student of medicine and to the public: and whilst it covers the development of surgery, from surgical instruments to anaesthesia and antiseptic practice, what most visitors remember is the Museum of Pathology, which contains examples of human anatomy and specimens from the 18th century to the present. The largest such museum in the UK, some may find the specimens a little gruesome (but fascinating). But the section on Burke and Hare, and the development of the character of Sherlock Holmes (based on a real surgeon), are equally fascinating and less chilling.

Overall, a great alternative to your average museum. Just don’t go before lunch.

Hey folks lets get straight to the point with this one…. admittedly there is a health care interest in this venue but the real clincher…for those fans of the fre…sorry…extraordinary people shows on the TV. The second room is an Aladdins cave of medical anomolies and well worth a visit… Private group evening viewings can be arranged though you have to pay extra for a member of security staff. Highly recommended

This is a moderate sized museum attached to the Royal College of Surgeons' of Edinburgh. There are two primary rooms. The first room takes you through the history of surgery in Scotland (for those of you who don't already know the first surgeons were butchers and edinburgh pioneered the way of surgery for the rest of the world). The second room exhibits the creation of Sherlock Holmes (again for those of you who don't already know....the character of Sherlock Holmes was based on a surgeon) and focuses on anatomy and pathology.
Up until now it sounds like just your regular museum....but I have yet to tell you about the greatest thing/things in this museum. In the second room there are series of jars sitting on shelves, and in these jars are crazily preserved human parts that show various health ailments such as an aortic anneuryism. It is a guaranteed jaw dropper.
Obviously this is a museum of great interest to the healthcare professional (and might I add that NHS staff recieve a discount on entry fees) but it is very easy for someone with no background in healthcare to follow and enjoy!