Surgeons' Hall Pathology Museum

Housed in the upper floor of the bulding which William Playfair designed, the Pathology Museum has one of the largest collections of pathological anatomy in the United Kingdom and provides valuable material for the study of human disease. Visitors have access to the lower floor during opening hours. Access to the upper gallery of the Pathology Museum is restricted to guided tours and educational groups, which are availablie by appointment only. Please see our guided tour and education sections for more information.

History of Surgery (lower gallery)

The History of Surgery explores Edinburgh's special contribution to surgical practice in modern times. This gallery traces the key dates in Scotland’s surgical advances and focuses on key figures such as Syme and pre-anaesthesia surgery, Simpson and the discovery of chloroform as an anaesthetic; and Lister and the breakthrough discovery of antiseptic.

History of Surgery (upper gallery)

The Upper Gallery of The History of Surgery Museum was undated in 2010 with the 'Skin Deep' exhibition. This exhibtion charts the history of facial surgery from ancient to modern times, exploring the procedures and psychologies involved. The gallery also contains a section on sports medicine where visitors can test their own skill at key-hole surgery with the use of a laparoscopic training unit.

Dental Collection

The Dental Collection is one of the finest in the UK and demonstrates the development of dentistry from its earliest days to modern times. It includes many rare artefacts from world cultures and has especially important domestic instruments and items.

The core of the collection was bequested to the College by John Menzies Campbell, a Glasgow dentist and significant dental historian. The collection includes dental instruments, artefacts, prints, paintings, engravings and models.

Other objects, images and artworks trace surgery's fascinating history from Roman times to the present including the breakthrough discoveries of antisepsis and anaesthesia, the curious development of false teeth, and the chilling Burke and Hare murders. 'Sport, Surgery and the Well Being' highlights the benefits of sports and exercise medicine and gives you the chance to test your skill as a surgeon on the keyhole surgery training unit.