Science, Technology & Medicine Tours

General Science Tour

From Charles Darwin to Higgs’ Boson this tour will allow you to explore some of the places associated with major scientific and medical discoveries and personalities of the last five centuries, as well as some that are less famous, but deserve to be more widely known.

Explore the General Science tour map.

History of Geology

Edinburgh has a long association with the science of geology. Perhaps the most famous Edinburgh geologist is James Hutton, whose name will forever be associated with the idea of ‘deep time’. However, Edinburgh was also home to many other colourful characters and events in the history of this ‘sublime science’. You can learn about some of them here.

Explore the History of Geology tour map.

Statue to James Clerk Maxwell by Alexander Stoddart, George Street, Edinburgh, unveiled 2008.

History of Physics

Some of the most important figures in the history of physics have called Edinburgh their home, from John Napier in the 16th century to Peter Higgs in the 21st. This tour will guide you through the fascinating stories of their lives and work.

Explore the History of Physics tour map.

History of Astronomy

Edinburgh’s rich history of astronomy has left a lasting legacy across the city. From iconic buildings to notable scientists, this tour visits some of the most significant sites of Edinburgh’s astronomical past.

Explore the History of Astronomy tour map.

History of Medicine

Edinburgh is well known for its role in the history of medicine, with many notable figures having trained in the city. In this tour you will find out about some of the most important and intriguing of these people and their work.

Explore the History of Medicine tour map.

History of Edinburgh’s Hospitals
Edinburgh’s history of medicine is often told with relation to the medical education provided by the University and the Royal College of Physicians. However, Edinburgh’s medical history is not complete without its varying hospitals and medical centres. This tour takes you from the medieval mariners’ hospital in Leith to the ground-breaking psychiatric hospital in Craigleith.

Explore the History of Edinburgh’s Hospitals tour map.

History of Public Health
This tour will offer a glimpse into the public health issues that arose in the Old Town of Edinburgh, from overcrowding, poverty, and civic negligence, and review some of the innovative measures developed in the 19th century by city administrators, public health officials, social reformers, and philanthropists to remedy them.

Explore the History of Public Health tour map

History of Genetics and Biotechnology

The most famous product of research in genetics and biotechnology in Edinburgh is Dolly the Sheep, the first mammal to be successfully cloned from a somatic (body) cell in 1996. However, as you will learn in this tour, the history of genetics and biotechnology in Edinburgh has its roots in the early decades of the twentieth century.

Explore the History of Genetics and Biotechnology tour map.

Scottish Enlightenment

Explore key moments from the Scottish Enlightenment, a period of unprecedented scientific and intellectual creativity in the 18th and early 19th century. Discover some of Edinburgh’s most famous scientific thinkers and philosphers, and how their work intersected and fed into emerging ideas and methods for understanding the world.

Explore the Scottish Enlightenment tour map.

Women in STEM Art Trail
This trail uses street art to celebrate nine amazing women who have passionately contributed to the world of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).

	General Science Tour From Charles Darwin to Higgs’ Boson this tour will allow you to explore some of the places associated with major scientific and medical discoveries and personalities of the last five centuries, as well as some that are less famous, but deserve to be more widely known. Explore the General Science tour map.
	History of Geology Edinburgh has a long association with the science of geology. Perhaps the most famous Edinburgh geologist is James Hutton, whose name will forever be associated with the idea of ‘deep time’. However, Edinburgh was also home to many other colourful characters and events in the history of this ‘sublime science’. You can learn about some of them here. Explore the History of Geology tour map.
	History of Physics Some of the most important figures in the history of physics have called Edinburgh their home, from John Napier in the 16th century to Peter Higgs in the 21st. This tour will guide you through the fascinating stories of their lives and work. Explore the History of Physics tour map.
	History of Astronomy Edinburgh’s rich history of astronomy has left a lasting legacy across the city. From iconic buildings to notable scientists, this tour visits some of the most significant sites of Edinburgh’s astronomical past. Explore the History of Astronomy tour map.
	History of Medicine Edinburgh is well known for its role in the history of medicine, with many notable figures having trained in the city. In this tour you will find out about some of the most important and intriguing of these people and their work. Explore the History of Medicine tour map.
	History of Edinburgh’s Hospitals Edinburgh’s history of medicine is often told with relation to the medical education provided by the University and the Royal College of Physicians. However, Edinburgh’s medical history is not complete without its varying hospitals and medical centres. This tour takes you from the medieval mariners’ hospital in Leith to the ground-breaking psychiatric hospital in Craigleith. Explore the History of Edinburgh’s Hospitals tour map.
	History of Public Health This tour will offer a glimpse into the public health issues that arose in the Old Town of Edinburgh, from overcrowding, poverty, and civic negligence, and review some of the innovative measures developed in the 19th century by city administrators, public health officials, social reformers, and philanthropists to remedy them. Explore the History of Public Health tour map
	History of Genetics and Biotechnology The most famous product of research in genetics and biotechnology in Edinburgh is Dolly the Sheep, the first mammal to be successfully cloned from a somatic (body) cell in 1996. However, as you will learn in this tour, the history of genetics and biotechnology in Edinburgh has its roots in the early decades of the twentieth century. Explore the History of Genetics and Biotechnology tour map.
	Scottish Enlightenment Explore key moments from the Scottish Enlightenment, a period of unprecedented scientific and intellectual creativity in the 18th and early 19th century. Discover some of Edinburgh’s most famous scientific thinkers and philosphers, and how their work intersected and fed into emerging ideas and methods for understanding the world. Explore the Scottish Enlightenment tour map.
	Women in STEM Art Trail This trail uses street art to celebrate nine amazing women who have passionately contributed to the world of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).