Museum on the Mound
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Edinburgh
What it’s like
Free museum where kids can crack open a safe, handle a million pounds and see Scotland's oldest banknote.
This is a museum about money, run by a bank, so the exhibits lean into that rather than dodging it. There's an actual million pounds to look at, Scotland's oldest banknote, and a safe you get to crack open, which is the sort of hands-on bit that'll stick in a kid's memory more than a glass case ever does. There's also a model home to build and a section on how Edinburgh itself has changed over time, so it's not all coins and vaults.
It's free to get in, which is rare for something this specific and hands-on, and that includes school visits and the digital workshops they run. Opening is Tuesday to Saturday, 1pm to 5pm, with last entry at 4:45pm. Being open from 1pm rather than the morning is unusual for a museum.
There's no café on site, which stings a bit if you've got a hungry kid in tow, but the site says there are a few within a short walk. Parking is pay and display only on the surrounding streets, with bigger car parks at Waverley Station and Castle Terrace if the on-street spots are full. It's a genuine few minutes' walk from Waverley Station and on several bus routes, so if you're coming into Edinburgh by train this is an easy add-on rather than a detour.
The building is accessible to most wheelchair users and there's an accessible toilet with baby changing. One thing to know if you've got a bigger group booked in: they mention limited capacity, so large groups might get asked to stagger their visit rather than all pile in at once.
What’s on here
Facilities
Need to know
- Last entry
- 4:45 pm
- Parking
- Limited pay and display on Market Street, St Giles Street and Chambers Street
- Wheelchairs
- Museum accessible to most wheelchair users
- Getting there by bus or train
- Few minutes walk from Waverley Station
- From 15 September 2026 the hours change to Tuesday to Saturday, 1pm to 5pm only.
- Closed 25th and 26th December and 1st and 2nd January.
- If you need Changing Places facilities, the museum points you to the National Museum of Scotland or the Booking Office pub on Waverley Bridge instead.
- It opens at 1pm, not in the morning, so plan the rest of your day around that.
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Nothing. Entry is free, along with school visits and the digital workshops they run.
What are the opening hours?
Tuesday to Saturday, 1pm to 5pm, including bank holidays. Last entry is 4:45pm.
Do we need to book?
There's no booking link listed, so it sounds like you can just turn up within opening hours.
Is there anywhere to get food?
No café on site, but there are a few within a short walk according to the museum.
Where do we park?
Pay and display only on Market Street and St Giles Street right by the museum. Bigger car parks are a short walk away at Waverley Station and Castle Terrace.
Is it accessible for wheelchairs and buggies?
The museum says it's accessible to most wheelchair users, and there's an accessible toilet with a baby changing table.
How do we get there without a car?
It's a few minutes' walk from Waverley Station, and buses 8, 23, 27, 41 and the Airlink 100 stop nearby.
We're bringing a big group, is that a problem?
Possibly. The museum mentions limited capacity and says large groups may be asked to stagger their visit.
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