Museum of Magic, Fortune-Telling & Witchcraft

About

Tucked away in atmospheric Chalmers Close off Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, the Museum of Magic, Fortune-Telling & Witchcraft is Scotland’s first attraction dedicated to the history and folklore of the mystical arts. Opened in 2023, it brings together over 15 years of collecting rare and curious artefacts linked to witchcraft, the occult, divination, and the Scottish Witch Trials. Visitors can encounter objects as intriguing as a 17th‑century mummified cat, the world’s oldest known Ouija board, voodoo dolls, amulets, and potion bottles once owned by those accused of sorcery. Displays explore magical traditions from around the world alongside Scotland’s own rich and often tragic past, shedding light on the persecution of so‑called witches and the enduring power of folk belief. Intimate in scale but rich in atmosphere, the museum offers an immersive journey into the shadowy and enchanting realms of magic, where every object tells a story and every corner invites curiosity.

Edinburgh Scotland
Museum of Magic, Fortune-Telling & Witchcraft
Location

The Museum of Magic, Fortune-Telling & Witchcraft is located at 2 Chalmers Close, off the historic Royal Mile in Edinburgh’s Old Town, set in a 19th-century building that sits atop a 17th-century bishop's cottage. This unique museum showcases a rich collection of artefacts related to Scottish witchcraft, magic, occultism, and divination, spanning from the 17th century to modern times. Visitors are invited to explore the fascinating history of the Scottish Witch Trials alongside mystical and magical traditions. Nearby, the vibrant Royal Mile offers an array of shops, historic sites, and traditional pubs, while the nearby St Giles’ Cathedral and the Palace of Holyroodhouse add to the cultural depth of the area. The museum’s location within the Old Town places it at the heart of Edinburgh’s blend of history, mystery, and folklore, making it a captivating stop for visitors intrigued by the occult and Scotland’s mysterious past.

National Museum of Scotland National Museum of Scotland Museum Museum of Edinburgh Museum of Edinburgh Museum Surgeons’ Hall Museums Surgeons’ Hall Museums Museum Museum of Childhood Edinburgh Museum of Childhood Edinburgh Museum Museum on the Mound Museum on the Mound Museum National War Museum of Scotland National War Museum of Scotland Museum Newhaven Heritage Museum Newhaven Heritage Museum Museum People’s Story Museum People’s Story Museum Museum Writers’ Museum Writers’ Museum Museum St Cecilia’s Hall St Cecilia’s Hall Museum Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage Museum Corstorphine Heritage Centre Corstorphine Heritage Centre Museum Queensferry Museum Queensferry Museum Museum Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum Museum Royal Observatory Visitor Centre Royal Observatory Visitor Centre Observatory Our Dynamic Earth Our Dynamic Earth Museum Trinity House Maritime Museum Trinity House Maritime Museum Museum King’s Theatre King’s Theatre Theatre Festival Theatre Festival Theatre Theatre Edinburgh Playhouse Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre Queen’s Hall Queen’s Hall Theatre Usher Hall Usher Hall Theatre Royal Lyceum Theatre Royal Lyceum Theatre Theatre Traverse Theatre Traverse Theatre Theatre Bedlam Theatre Bedlam Theatre Theatre Church Hill Theatre Church Hill Theatre Theatre Rose Theatre Rose Theatre Theatre Scottish Storytelling Centre Scottish Storytelling Centre Theatre Summerhall Summerhall Theatre St Stephen’s Theatre St Stephen’s Theatre Theatre Festival Square Theatre Festival Square Theatre Theatre Leith Theatre Leith Theatre Theatre Portobello Town Hall Portobello Town Hall Theatre Scottish National Portrait Gallery Scottish National Portrait Gallery Gallery Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art Gallery City Art Centre City Art Centre Gallery Collective Gallery Collective Gallery Gallery Fruitmarket Gallery Fruitmarket Gallery Gallery Open Eye Gallery Open Eye Gallery Gallery Leith Walk Gallery Leith Walk Gallery Gallery Braewell Gallery Braewell Gallery Gallery Dovecot Studios Dovecot Studios Gallery Morningside Gallery Morningside Gallery Gallery West End Craft & Design Fair West End Craft & Design Fair Gallery Bourne Fine Art Gallery Bourne Fine Art Gallery Gallery Red Door Gallery Red Door Gallery Gallery Marchmont Gallery Marchmont Gallery Gallery Talbot Rice Gallery Talbot Rice Gallery Gallery Torrance Gallery Torrance Gallery Gallery Gallery TEN Gallery TEN Gallery Wasps Patriothall Studios and Gallery Wasps Patriothall Studios and Gallery Gallery Rhubaba Gallery and Studios Rhubaba Gallery and Studios Gallery Edinburgh Castle Edinburgh Castle Castle Palace of Holyroodhouse Palace of Holyroodhouse Castle Craigmillar Castle Craigmillar Castle Castle Holyrood Park Holyrood Park Park Princes Street Gardens Princes Street Gardens Park The Meadows The Meadows Park Inverleith Park Inverleith Park Park Calton Hill Calton Hill Park Harrison Park Harrison Park Park Victoria Park Victoria Park Park Pilrig Park Pilrig Park Park Camera Obscura & World of Illusions Camera Obscura & World of Illusions Museum Arthur’s Seat Arthur’s Seat Mountain Peak Scott Monument Scott Monument Monument The Royal Mile The Royal Mile Tourist attractions St Giles’ Cathedral St Giles’ Cathedral Cathedral Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Botanical Garden Dean Village Dean Village Tourist attractions Innocent Railway Tunnel & Path Innocent Railway Tunnel & Path Historical Landmark The Real Mary King’s Close The Real Mary King’s Close Historical Landmark The Scotch Whisky Experience The Scotch Whisky Experience Tourist attractions The Edinburgh Dungeon The Edinburgh Dungeon Tourist attractions Grassmarket Grassmarket Street Stockbridge Market Stockbridge Market Market Edinburgh Farmers’ Market Edinburgh Farmers’ Market Market Leith Market Leith Market Market Tron Kirk Market Tron Kirk Market Market Ocean Terminal Market Ocean Terminal Market Market