Blood and Guts: The Twists and Turns of Edinburgh's Medical History

Schedule

Sat, 25 Jan, 2025 at 02:00 pm to Sun, 30 Nov, 2025 at 03:30 pm

UTC+00:00

Location

Surgeons' Hall Museum | Edinburgh, SC

Advertisement
Join Surgeons Hall Museums on their 5* walking tour through Edinburgh’s old town
About this Event

"Blood and Guts walking tour was amazing! We loved the tour guide, all the history and stories we heard. It was also awesome to walk around the museum afterwards.” *****


Join Surgeons Hall Museums on their 5* walking tour through Edinburgh’s old town.


We will take you through the highs and lows of Edinburgh’s world renowned medical history. Discover the intrigues, rivalries and dedication to the cause as our guide leads you through the sites where anatomists, surgeons and physicians worked, operated and squabbled in the quest for medical advancement.


Drawn from the archives at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh you will hear little known accounts of iconic writers, chloroform tea parties, pioneering women, grave robbing and of course Britain’s first serial killers the infamous Burke and Hare.


Hear tales of old Edinburgh, disease, dissection and curious methods of treatment.


Tours will last between 75 and 90min and include free museum access from 10am-5pm on the day of your tour.


We always aim to be finished by 75mins, but, due to the nature of a walking tour, factors out with our control may lengthen this. We recommend that you allow for 1 hour 30.


Meeting Point: Please arrive in good time for you tour. Your guide will meet you at the entrance to Surgeons Hall Museums (in front of the sculptures)


Please note that this is an outdoor walking tour that runs throughout the year so please dress accordingly. Not all the sites we visit are dog friendly and therefore we admit assistance dogs only.


We do not sell through any other channels other than our official Eventbrite page. Please be aware that we do not accept re-sold tickets for our events and your name must be on our guest list to be admitted.


Age Guidance: Age 10+

Improtant Refund Information: Eventbrite charge a booking fee
(6.95% + £0.59 of the ticket value per sold ticket) for this event which is included in your ticket price but is non-refundable. This is part of Eventbrite terms and conditions and is not at the discretion of Surgeons Hall Museums


Feedback

“The Blood & Guts tour was a fantastic afternoon walking around some of Edinburgh's fascinating yet dark and macabre historical landmarks, brought to life by a very knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide! We did the tour as a couple, but would highly recommend to all ages.” *****


“Had a great time on @surgeonshall ‘Blood and Guts’ walking tour around Edinburgh! Our guide Eliza was very knowledgeable so definitely check it out if you get the chance!”


Content Warning: Our collections contain human remains as well as representations of anatomy, injury, and disease that some may find upsetting.

Advertisement

Where is it happening?

Surgeons' Hall Museum, Surgeons Hall Museum, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

GBP 9.95 to GBP 18.95

Icon
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Surgeons' Hall Museums

Host or Publisher Surgeons' Hall Museums

Ask AI if this event suits you:

Discover More Events in Edinburgh

Parents & Wee Ones: ANTA Baby Trousers Launch
Tue, 21 Oct at 10:00 am Parents & Wee Ones: ANTA Baby Trousers Launch

ANTA Rose Street

ART FINE-ARTS
Edinburgh Dungeon  Standard Admission
Tue, 21 Oct at 10:30 am Edinburgh Dungeon Standard Admission

The Edinburgh Dungeon

Beginner's Sewing - full day (weekday) workshop
Tue, 21 Oct at 10:30 am Beginner's Sewing - full day (weekday) workshop

Edinburgh Palette

WORKSHOPS
ELEMIS Masterclass Party Skin Prep with Keeley Aydin
Tue, 21 Oct at 11:00 am ELEMIS Masterclass Party Skin Prep with Keeley Aydin

John Lewis Edinburgh

PARTIES ENTERTAINMENT
Dr Bell's Family Centre: Play Together October - December 25
Tue, 21 Oct at 01:00 pm Dr Bell's Family Centre: Play Together October - December 25

Dr Bells Family Centre

NONPROFIT
Lunchtime concert | Students from the Reid School of Music
Tue, 21 Oct at 01:10 pm Lunchtime concert | Students from the Reid School of Music

Reid Concert Hall

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Autumn 2025 Global Mental Health Half- Day Programme
Tue, 21 Oct at 02:00 pm Autumn 2025 Global Mental Health Half- Day Programme

School of Social and Political Science, Violet Laidlaw Room

HEALTH-WELLNESS MENTAL-HEALTH
Acrylic master classes
Tue, 21 Oct at 02:15 pm Acrylic master classes

Corstorphine, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

WORKSHOPS ART
SpeedQuiz powered by Lonkero at Edinburgh Street Food
Wed, 25 Oct at 08:00 pm SpeedQuiz powered by Lonkero at Edinburgh Street Food

Edinburgh Street Food

FOOD-DRINKS FOOD-TRUCK-FESTIVALS
The Dark Side of Edinburgh
Mon, 27 May at 08:00 pm The Dark Side of Edinburgh

Edinburgh Old Town

DOG
Blood and Guts: The Twists and Turns of Edinburgh's Medical History
Sat, 25 Jan at 02:00 pm Blood and Guts: The Twists and Turns of Edinburgh's Medical History

Surgeons' Hall Museum

DOG WORKSHOPS
Lifting the Veil 2025 Conference
Sat, 25 Oct at 10:00 am Lifting the Veil 2025 Conference

Pleasance Theatre Edinburgh

BUSINESS CONFERENCES
Pumpkins in the park
Sat, 25 Oct at 12:00 pm Pumpkins in the park

Harrison Park West

DOG NONPROFIT
Edinburgh ADHD Meetup - walk and coffee
Sat, 25 Oct at 12:00 pm Edinburgh ADHD Meetup - walk and coffee

Scottish Parliament Building

MEETUPS DOG
Horror Science, Science Horror
Sat, 25 Oct at 02:30 pm Horror Science, Science Horror

The Banshee Labyrinth

DOG
Forest Bathing Walk - Taster session
Sun, 26 Oct at 10:00 am Forest Bathing Walk - Taster session

St Marks Park

WORKSHOPS HEALTH-WELLNESS
Samhuinn Fire Festival 2025
Fri, 31 Oct at 06:30 pm Samhuinn Fire Festival 2025

Calton Hill, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

FESTIVALS PERFORMANCES
Daytime Favourites Design Market
Sat, 01 Nov at 11:00 am Daytime Favourites Design Market

140 Morningside Rd, Edinburgh

DOG
Hox Rugby- Scotland Vs USA
Sat, 01 Nov at 01:00 pm Hox Rugby- Scotland Vs USA

The Hoxton, Edinburgh

SPORTS DOG
Portobello Town Hall Makers Market
Sun, 02 Nov at 11:00 am Portobello Town Hall Makers Market

Portobello Town Hall

ART WORKSHOPS

What's Happening Next in Edinburgh?

Discover Edinburgh Events