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Photo: Angry candy, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Mainstream, arthouse and alternative films, with an Edwardian interior.
The Cameo is a cinema in Tollcross, Edinburgh, Scotland that has a long tradition of showing art house films, becoming an important venue for the Edinburgh International Film Festival. It opened on 8 January 1914, making it one of the oldest cinemas in Scotland still in use. It showed silent films until 1930. It retains many original architectural and design features and became a Category B listed status by Historic Scotland in 2006. Since 1992 it has had three screens. The Cameo was independent until 2003, when it was taken over by a chain.
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Reopened in August 2026 after 4 years of refurbishment.
Mostly mainstream movies.
The city's main concert hall, capacity 2200, and home to the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. It was completed in 1914, funded by Andrew Usher the whisky distiller and blender.
Iconic fortress perched magnificently on a volcanic rock above the city. The castle has been continuously used for 1100 years and is kept in excellent condition; it's still the ceremonial headquarters of the army in Scotland. Highlights include the Great Hall, the Honours of Scotland (the Scottish Crown Jewels), the War Museum and the 12th century St Margaret's Chapel. The One O'Clock Gun is fired each day from Mills Mount battery. Audio guides available. It's mobbed with tourists and in summer often sells out, book online well in advance.
World of Illusions
Over 150 years old, the Camera Obscura projects light from the top of the tower onto a large dish in a dark room below, displaying a panorama of the city. The effect still works on overcast days or at night but is best in sunlight, when you can use a sheet of paper to "pick up" people seen in the streets and have them scurry in your hand. The tower also houses a gallery of optical illusions that wouldn't be out of place in Blackpool.
Large collection of anatomical specimens and life and death masks. Best known is the skeleton of William Burke, hanged in 1829 after he and William Hare killed at least 16 people to sell the bodies for dissection. Limited opening as the area is in continual use for teaching, booking essential.