Camera Obscura, Edinburgh

Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
Outlook Tower viewed from the Royal Mile
Location within Edinburgh city centre
Former names
Short's Observatory (1853)
The Outlook Tower
Established1853 (1853) (original attraction)
1977 (1977) (modern attraction)
Location549 Castlehill, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 2ND, Scotland
Visitors331,881 (2024)
FounderMaria Short
OwnerVisitor Centres Ltd.
Public transit access Edinburgh Waverley
Websitewww.camera-obscura.co.uk
Listed Building – Category A
Official name549 Castlehill, Outlook Tower
Designated12 December 1970
Reference no.LB28488

Camera Obscura & World of Illusions is a tourist attraction located in Outlook Tower on the Castlehill section of the Royal Mile close to Edinburgh Castle. The original attraction was founded by entrepreneur Maria Theresa Short in 1835 and was exhibited on Calton Hill. Outlook Tower has been a museum since the late 1890s and is currently home to many interactive exhibits, including the original Camera Obscura.