 | THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH |
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St Cecilia's Hall, Cowgate, Edinburgh EH1 1NQ, U.K.
www.music.ed.ac.uk/euchmi/sch
The Raymond Russell Collection of Early Keyboard Instruments was assembled by Raymond Russell (1922-1964) and given to the University by his mother, Mrs Gilbert Russell, in 1964 after his death. The University has added further instruments, and the Rodger Mirrey Collection of Early Keyboard Instruments was donated in 2005. The Anne Macaulay Collection of Plucked String Instruments was donated to the University in 1977 and 1985.
The St Cecilia's Hall Museum of Instruments is a Fully Accredited Museum with the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA).
Edinburgh University Collection of Historic Musical Instruments was one of the first ten musuem collections in Scotland
recognised by the Scottish Executive as a Significant Collection.
| On display are some 50 of the world's most
important and best-preserved early keyboard instruments: harpsichords,
virginals, spinets, organs and fortepianos from the period of their
first construction to around 1840, many in playing order, and a new
display of harps, lutes, citterns and guitars. The auditorium at
St Cecilia's Hall which dates from 1763 is the oldest concert hall
in Scotland, and the second oldest in Britain.
Guided tours are given in opening hours. Postcards, publications, and recordings are on sale. Sound guides are available on request in the galleries - hear musicians talking about and playing the instruments ! The Museum is open to the public twice weekly:
The Museum is additionally open to the public for the period of the Edinburgh International and Fringe Festivals (7 August - 4 September 2010):
Visitors are welcome to join a free guided tour but can also make their own way round the displays. Numbers are limited to 20 for each guided tour. Tours (lasting approximately 50 minutes) are given as follows:
There is no charge for entry. Special visits outside these times, and party visits with guided tours Access: Enter from the Cowgate. The museum a ramp is provided at the entrance, assistance is available if required. Once past the entrance, there is a lift to the museum galleries. Car parking is available for visitors with mobility limitations. Please contact the museum staff in advance for directions. |
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See Information about Travelling to and from The University of Edinburgh with further maps.
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 | Photographs by Joe Rock |
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Link to the Reid Concert Hall Museum of Instruments - the John Donaldson Collection of Musical Instruments
Link to further information about the University's musical instruments collections
Link to other University of Edinburgh museums and galleries
The St Cecilia's Hall Museum of Instruments and the Reid Concert Hall Museum of Instruments operate along with the Talbot Rice Gallery under the umbrella of the Collections Division of Edinburgh University Libraries, Museums and Galleries. The name "Edinburgh University Collection of Historic Musical Instruments" refers to both the University's instrument museums considered together.
The purpose of the Collection is to promote the study of the history, construction and functions of instruments of music and all cognate matters, the furtherance of research and the propagation of knowledge of instrumental history.
Communications about the contents of these pages
All material on this website is
copyright.
© Edinburgh University Collection of Historic Musical Instruments, 2005-2008, 2009.
This page updated: 12.11.09
Web design - Paul Willis
