Name: Museum on the Mound
Rating: 5.0

Museum on the Mound

The Mound, Edinburgh EH1 1YZ, UK

1-99 Years

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Description

Welcome to Museum on The Mound, Located in the historic Bank of Scotland Head Office, this fascinating museum takes a fresh look at money – and much, much more. Art & design, technology, crime, trade and security – all feature in the story of money. Open throughout the year. Look forward to seeing you!

Want to see a million pounds? See Scotland’s oldest banknote? Explore the changing face of Edinburgh? Build a model home? Crack open a safe? These are just some of the things you can see and do at the Museum on the Mound.

Admission is FREE. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Key Features

Interactive Exhibits: Engage with hands-on displays designed to make complex topics like economics and history accessible and fun.
Educational Environment: A perfect setting for an educational day out, offering insights into how money has evolved over 4,000 years.
Accessible Galleries: The entire museum is step-free with level access throughout, making it buggy-friendly.
Family Engagement: Younger visitors can participate in games and challenges, such as cracking a safe or building a model home, to earn rewards.

What to See

The Million Pound Display: See what a million pounds actually looks like in this eye-opening exhibit.
Oldest Banknote: Discover Scotland’s oldest surviving banknote and learn about the origins of paper currency.
Safe-Cracking Challenge: Test your skills and try to crack a safe for a chance to win a chocolate gold coin.
Interactive City Maps: Use digital maps to explore how Edinburgh has changed and expanded since the 1600s.
Historical Ledger Display: View the massive, hand-written books used by bankers over 200 years ago, long before the age of computers.

Facilities

Accessibility: The museum is fully accessible, including an accessible toilet facility and level access between all passageways.
Sensory Support: Communication cards, ear defenders, and sensory bags are available from the Welcome Desk.
Quiet Space: A quiet area is provided for visitors who may need a break from the exhibits.
Food: There are no food outlets inside the museum, but numerous cafés are available just steps away on Princes Street.

Pro-Tips

Timing: The museum is quieter during weekday mornings; avoid weekends if you prefer a more peaceful experience.
Accessibility: The entire museum is step-free and spacious enough for buggies, which is a major advantage for families with young children in the Old Town.
Check-In: While admission is free, check the website for any temporary exhibition closures before travelling.

Targeted FAQ

Is it worth it for toddlers? Yes, the museum is very accessible for families with buggies and features interactive games that can keep toddlers interested, though the deeper economic history will be better appreciated by older children (5+).
How long does a visit take? Most visitors spend about 1 to 1.5 hours exploring the collections, making it an ideal "quick stop" during a wider day out in the city centre.
Where is the best place to park? There is no parking at the museum; the most reliable option is to park at a city-centre multi-storey garage like Castle Terrace and walk or use a bus to reach the Mound area.

The Visitor Verdict: What Parents Really Think
What Visitors Love

The staff are frequently described as kind and helpful, which enhances the welcoming atmosphere.
The interactive elements, such as the safe-cracking game, keep children actively engaged.
The museum’s location makes it a perfect shelter during Edinburgh’s unpredictable, rainy weather.

What Visitors Don't Like

Some visitors note that the museum is relatively small and can be fully explored in about an hour.
The lack of an on-site café means families must plan to eat elsewhere.

What to see

Detailed Inventory

The museum features a range of specific historical objects and sub-exhibits:
1701 Bank Chest: A heavy, historical wooden chest used for storing funds.
Shell and Feather Currency: Examples of primitive money used in various cultures.
1820s-style Life Assurance Policy: A reproduction document that visitors can learn to apply for.
Early 'Computers': See the primitive mechanical tools that transformed the banking workplace.
Bank of Scotland Archive Material: Rare documents chronicling the bank's history.
Numismatic Collection: A wide variety of historical coins from different eras and countries.
Industrial Revolution Housing Models: Displays showing the impact of building societies on British life.
Security Gear: Exhibits showcasing the evolution of physical bank security.

Beyond the Main Attraction

Located in the city centre, the museum is close to several other landmarks:
The National Gallery: Located just at the foot of the Mound, housing world-class art.
The Royal Mile: A short walk takes you to the historic backbone of Edinburgh’s Old Town.
Princes Street Gardens: A beautiful green space perfect for a family picnic after your museum visit.

New for 2026: Digital Discovery

While the museum remains dedicated to its permanent collection, 2026 sees a renewed focus on digital interactive updates. These enhancements provide a deeper connection to Edinburgh's history:
Refreshed City Evolution Touchscreens: Engage with high-definition comparisons of 17th-century Edinburgh maps alongside current street views.
Historical Context Mapping: Explore how the city layout has shifted over centuries, allowing children to pinpoint the exact location of the museum in past eras.
Enhanced Visual Detail: Enjoy clearer, more responsive imagery that makes identifying historical landmarks and streets easier for younger visitors.
Interactive Time-Travel: Use the updated interface to toggle between different centuries to see how the architecture around the Mound has developed.

Events: For more upcoming events please visit here.

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Price

Price: Free

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

The Museum on the Mound does not list specific birthday party packages. For private event or group booking inquiries, please contact the team directly at [email protected].

Tuesday – Friday: 10:00 – 17:00
Saturday & Bank Holiday Mondays: 13:00 – 17:00
Monday: Closed.
Note: Always closed 25th – 26th December and 1st – 2nd January.

Address: The Mound, Edinburgh EH1 1YZ, UK

Post Code: EH1 1YZ

Council: Edinburgh

County: Edinburgh and Lothia

By train: We are only a few minutes walk from Edinburgh's Waverley station. Take the Waverley Bridge exit, turn left and make your way up Market Street and North Bank Street.
By bus: Lothian Buses numbers 8, 23, 27 and 41 stop at the Mound. Most of the Tour Buses and the Airlink (100) services stop at the top of Market Street. Edinburgh's main bus station at St Andrew's Square is 5-10 minutes walk away.
By car: Follow routes for Edinburgh City Centre and City Centre Attractions (EH1 2LP). There is no car park at the Museum, but there is limited Pay and Display parking in Market Street, St Giles Street and Chambers Street. There are also large public car parks nearby at Waverley Station (New Street) and Castle Terrace.
Parking: “Pay & Display” parking can be found on both Market Street (on the north side of the museum) and St Giles St (to the south east). Larger carparks can be found at Castle Terrace and New Street.