Guidelines for your visit
We are currently closed until further notice in line with recent Scottish Government restrictions.
To find out the latest guidelines and restrictions for your area, please check the Scottish Government website.
Safety comes first (closely followed by fun!) and it is important everyone follows the Scottish Government guidance to protect themselves and others. This means you must respect the new guidelines in place at Camera Obscura. Your visit will feel a little different to normal, but we hope just as much fun!
We really appreciate your support and patience and kindly ask that you read all the information available below.
Hopefully you can visit us soon – we look forward to seeing you!
We're Good To Go: COVID-19 Industry Standard
In Partnership with; The National Tourist Organisations of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. In recognition that this business has confirmed that they have followed
government and industry COVID-19 guidelines, ensuring processes are in
place to maintain cleanliness and aid social/physical distancing.
These are the things we are doing:
- Checking in: when you arrive in our admissions area, you’ll see the social distancing queuing markers. Please use these to respect social distancing when waiting to enter. You will be required to wear a face covering during your visit and register for the Scottish Governments Trace and Protect system. A member of the team will then check your ticket and talk you through the safety measures in place during your visit.
- Reduced capacity: we have reduced the number of people we are welcoming to only 30% of our normal full capacity. This is to ensure you have enough safe space so that you can have an enjoyable experience with us.
- One-way system: There will be a new one-way route in place for you to follow during your visit. This will still allow you to see and take part in all our interactive exhibits. There is no time limit, and you can take as long as you need to explore each floor. Please follow the arrows as you make your way around the site.
- Signage, screens and floor markings: we have installed new safety signage and marked out social distancing at various points throughout the attraction. For our team we have installed safety screens at the admission and retail till points.
- Our team safety protocols: the team will be wearing face coverings and sometimes gloves. Team members will endeavour to maintain a safe distance between you and your group, however are still happy to help with any questions you may have.
- Washing / Sanitising hands: Hand sanitiser stations are allocated at every exhibition floor entry and exit. There are also handwashing facilities in our toilets located on the first floor.
- Cards not cash: our online booking system is easy to use and you must pre-book an admission slot before visiting. On site, please use contactless payment where possible to reduce the cash handling.
- Keeping it clean: we already maintain the highest standards of hygiene on site, but now more than ever we’ll be going above and beyond to make sure the attraction is super clean. We’ve upped the regular cleaning regime of surfaces and touch points and have invested in more thorough deep cleans as well.
Notice
We have taken enhanced health and safety measures across our site for you, our other visitors and our team members. An inherent risk of Covid19 exists in every public place where people are present. By entering our attraction, visitors accept they have a duty to take steps to ensure their own safety and respect others.
You can read our risk assessment here.
- All staff and visitors are required to wear a face covering
- You can visit in groups of 6 from no more than 2 households
- You select a timed entry with limited capacity per time slot
- Increased cleaning and ventilation
- Social distancing
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions iis now closed until further notice This is in line with the Scottish Government restrictions.
To manage capacity we have introduced timed ticketing so we can safely manage the amount of visitors within the building. We recommend you book in advance to guarantee entry at your preferred time.
There will be allocated time slots for entry at 15-minute intervals from open until 1.5hr before close. Please arrive on time. No matter what time slot you are in, you can stay until you’ve experienced all the fun at the attraction.
If there are unsold spaces on any timed ticket slot these can be purchased for immediate entry or a later entry, booked at our admissions desk on the day.
This includes:
- Limiting visitor numbers
- Frequent cleaning in high contact areas and additional hygiene precautions
- All staff and visitors to wear face coverings throughout their visit. This includes children aged 5+
- Adding additional hand sanitiser stations, located at the entrance and exit to each exhibition
- Introducing a one-way route to allow for social distancing
- Keeping the Camera Obscura demonstration closed
- Asking visitors to use contactless card payments
We are doing everything we can to make the attraction safe for everyone which means your visit will be a little different to normal.
- Limiting visitor numbers. Only 30% of normal capacity.
- Frequent cleaning in high contact areas and additional hygiene precautions
- All visitors and staff required to wear a face coverings throughout their visit. This includes children aged 5+
- Adding and signposting to hand sanitiser sites which can be found at the entry and exit to every exhibition floor
- Introducing a one-way route
- Postponing the Camera Obscura show to allow social distancing to take place
We are doing everything we can to make the attraction safe for everyone which means your visit will be a little different to normal.
Toilets will be open with additional cleaning and hygiene measures in place.
If you or anyone in your household are showing covid-19 symptoms, please stay at home.
This means you must book a time slot for entry, take responsible decisions and respect the new guidelines in place at Camera Obscura - your visit will feel a little different to normal, but we hope just as much fun!
Your visit will be different because we have introduced a range of measures for your safety. This includes a one-way system around the attraction, limited amounts of visitors in the building at one time, no demonstrations of the Camera Obscura and increased cleaning and hygiene measures.
From Saturday 8 August all visitors and staff must wear a face covering for the duration of their visit in line with Scottish Government guidance. This includes children aged 5+.
There are many ways for you to reach us, by foot, car or public transport.
We understand that you might be nervous using public transport at this time and may prefer to travel by car. Our nearest car park is Castle Terrace NCP and Camera Obscura visitors can receive a discount parking ticket which gives up to 5 hours parking for £10.00 (regular cost £19.50. If over 5 hours discount does not apply). Please ask the team on arrival for your discount ticket. This car park is approximately 10 minutes’ walk away.
QPark Quartermile – is a 10 minute walk from Camera Obscura. Parking charges apply.
If using public transport we are close to various bus stops and a short walk from Waverley Train Station. You can find out more about how to visit us on our Getting Here page.
Please be sure to follow current safety guidance when using public transport, especially at peak times.
All of our interactive exhibits will be open for you to enjoy with additional cleaning and hygiene measures in place.
All of our exhibits, except the Camera Obscura show, will be open and available for you to use. We’re working quickly on how to make the Camera Obscura demonstration safe with social distancing in place and a new ventilation system
Please while visiting be respectful of others, be patient and allow for safe social distancing.
Toilets will be open with additional cleaning and hygiene measures in place.
Unfortunately at this time we have taken the decision to postpone all demonstrations of the Camera Obscura. We’re working quickly on how to make the Camera Obscura show safe with social distancing in place and a new ventilation system.
Admission pricing has been reduced by 10% as a fair reflection of the current changes in place at the attraction.
Yes. To manage capacity we have introduced timed ticketing so we can safely manage the amount of visitors within the building. We recommend you book in advance to guarantee entry at your preferred time.
If there are unsold spaces on any timed ticket slot these can be purchased for immediate entry or a later entry, booked at our admissions desk on the day.
There will be allocated time slots for entry at 15-minute intervals from open until 1.5hr before close.
Contactless payment methods are preferred at our admissions desk and gift shop.
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions is now closed until further notice in line with recent Scottish Government restrictions.
To manage capacity we have introduced timed ticketing so we can safely manage the amount of visitors within the building. We recommend you book online in advance to guarantee entry at your preferred time. This includes gift ticket admissions, those members of tourism associations, blue badge guides, carers and children under 5 years old.
Please choose the relevant ticket type in our online booking system and be prepared to show your advanced booking confirmation alongside ID on arrival.
If there are unsold spaces on any timed ticket slot these can be purchased for immediate entry or a later entry, booked at our admissions desk on the day.
There will be allocated time slots for entry at 15-minute intervals from open until 1.5hr before close, please arrive on time.
Follow us on Facebook or Twitter and sign up for emails to stay up to date.
Please note: visitor numbers will be limited to protect you, other visitors and our staff.
Reduced Admission Prices:
- Adult £15.75
- Senior (aged 65+) £13.95
- Student (with ID) £13.95
- Child (aged 5-15) £12.15
- Child under 5 Free
Yes, our gift shop will be open for anyone wishing to purchase gifts and souvenirs with contactless card payments preferred.
The gift shop has been rearranged to allow space to browse and move around safely, and protective screens installed at our till points.
It is mandatory in Scotland for visitors and staff in indoor shops and attractions to wear a face covering. You will be asked to do so when you visit.
We really appreciate your support and patience and kindly ask that you read all of the information available before getting in touch.
If you still have an unanswered question please call us on 0131 226 3709 or email info@camera-obscura.co.uk