JK GILLON

In 1855, Maria Theresa Short moved her exhibition of scientific instruments from Edinburgh's Calton Hill to new premises at the top of Castlehill. The building, which was traditionally believed to be the town mansion of the 'Laird of Cockpen', had been transformed by the addition of two floors into Short's Observatory. Exhibits included 'a powerful galvanic machine which gives shocks of any power, a Fairy Fountain of Electric Water and a Wonderful Electric Boy'. The main attraction, however, was the Camera Obscura, a periscope device of mirrors and lenses which throws a moving image onto a reflective table.

In 1892, the building was purchased by Patrick Geddes and there followed the most interesting period in the building's history. Geddes was officially a botanist and biologist, but was involved in a multitude of other activities, and is perhaps best remembered for his work in the field of town planning. There are many places throughout the world that bear traces of the influence of Patrick Geddes. In Edinburgh he was responsible for setting up the first student hostel in Scotland; designing the Zoo; building Ramsay Garden, as co-operative housing, and improvement schemes in the Old Town.

Geddes intended to transform the building into a 'place of outlook and a type-museum as a key to a better understanding of Edinburgh and its region, but also to help people get a clear idea of its relation to the world at large'.

Geddes believed that a tour of the Outlook Tower should begin at the top of the building on the flat roof terrace where a general idea of the Edinburgh region and 'one of the great views of the world' could be seen. The Camera Obscura then provided a different view of the outside environment, in the 'miniature-like perfection of detail' reflected in the moving image on the screen. After this 'lesson in the art of seeing' it was felt that 'quiet reflection and meditation on the many new impressions which had been gathered'; would be required, so a small darkened room with a single chair was provided.

Each lower storey of the Tower was devoted to exhibits and collections of material relating to the World, Europe, Language, Scotland and Edinburgh. Exhibits included an Episcope, which provided a view of the world 'as if it were suddenly to become transparent beneath one's feet', a Hollow Globe and a Celestial Sphere. All of these were intended to show the relation of the world to its surroundings in the Universe.

The Edinburgh Room had a relief model of the city and illustrations showing its architectural development. In the Scotland Room the evolution of the Scottish nation was traced by a large floor map.

The Outlook Tower was at its best up to 1914, when Patrick Geddes was most often there. It retained its educational function for a number of years and a larger camera was installed in 1945. The Cameral Obscura remains a popular tourist attraction, but it is unfortunate that there remains no clear recognition of its association with Patrick Geddes, the 'father of modern town planning'.

Historical Background

The Camera Obscura is housed in a 17th century tenement tower next to Edinburgh Castle in the city?s Old Town. In the middle of the 19th century a lady entrepreneur, Maria Short, bought the building and added two more storeys, including a rooftop terrace and the Camera Obscura. The attraction opened in 1853 as Short?s Observatory, Museum of Science and Art. Sir Patrick Geddes, town planner and biologist ran the attraction between 1892 and 1930, renaming it the Outlook Tower. He installed innovative exhibitions on Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain, Europe and the World. Edinburgh University ran the building from 1950 to 1977 when it was taken over by the current owners. In continuous use since 1853 the Camera Obscura is Edinburgh?s oldest purpose built attraction.

The Camera Obscura today

There are currently five elements to the visit. The nineteenth century camera obscura is still a highlight, offering a fascinating bird?s eye view of the city through a giant Victorian Camera Obscura. A guide tells you a story of Edinburgh?s historic past in a 15 minute presentation. The panoramic rooftop terrace gives visitors unrivalled 360º views with free telescopes giving close-ups of the city and beyond. There are also three floors of optical exhibitions including the Magic Gallery of Illusions, an interactive exhibition including giant kaleidoscopes, the world?s biggest plasmadome and a morphing machine; the Light Fantastic, the largest display of 3D holograms in Europe and ?Edinburgh Vision?, a display of images ranging from 3D cityscapes of Victorian Edinburgh to live viewcams of the city today. All the information is translated into French, German, Italian, Spanish and Japanese and some of the staff speak these languages. A visit to the Camera Obscura & World of Illusions takes approximately one hour.