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THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH

(4329) Double-manual harpsichord (Jean Goermans/Pascal Taskin, Paris, 1764/83-84)

St Cecilia's Hall Museum of Instruments

(The Raymond Russell and the Rodger Mirrey Collections of Early Keyboard Instruments and the Anne Macaulay Collection of Plucked String Instruments)

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 is a Recognised Collection of National Significance to Scotland.

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WHAT YOU CAN SEE AT THE MUSEUM, OPENING TIMES and MAP

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 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.

Audio guides are available on request in the galleries - hear the sounds of many of the instruments you see on your visit

Postcards, publications, and recordings are on sale.

The Museum is open to the public twice weekly:

  • Saturday 14:00 - 17:00
  • Wednesday 14:00 - 17:00
Except in the weeks of Christmas and New Year: closed 24 December 2011, open 4 January 2012.

The Museum is additionally open to the public for the period of the Edinburgh International and Fringe Festivals (8 August - 3 September 2011):

  • Monday to Saturday 10:30 - 12:30

There is no charge for entry.

Special visits outside these times, and group 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 can available by prior arrangement for visitors with registered disability badges. Please contact the museum staff in advance.

Exterior view of St Cecilia's Hall
The entrance to St Cecilia's Hall (there is now a new building to the right, not shown here)

Newman Gallery

The Newman Gallery (Image: Douglas Robertson)

1812 Gallery

The 1812 Gallery (Image: Douglas Robertson)

Map

See Information about Travelling to and from The University of Edinburgh with further maps.

(4341)
  • (4341) Double-manual harpsichord (Burkat Shudi, London, 1766)
  • (4347) Grand pianoforte (Ignatz Heinrich, Ölmutz, Bohemia, c 1825)
(4347)
    
(4330)
  • (4330) Double-manual harpsichord (Jacob Kirckman, London, 1755)
  • (4320) Double-manual harpsichord (Francis Coston, London, c 1725)
(4320)
    
(4345)
  • (4345) Enharmonic virginal (Francesco Poggio, 1620; Italy, c 1620)
  • (4342) Square piano (Andrew Rochead, Edinburgh, c 1815)
(4342)
Photographs by Joe Rock

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 The Friends of St. Cecilia's Hall and Museum, and publications relating to early keyboard instruments

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 Libraries and Collections Division of Edinburgh University Information Services. 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.

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All material on this website is copyright.
© Edinburgh University Collection of Historic Musical Instruments, 2005-2010, 2011.

This page updated: 8.3.11