Camera Obscura was established in the 1850s by the optician Maria Theresa Short. The optics were later replaced in 1947. Camera Obscura, earlier known as Short's observatory is housed in the Outlook tower at the top of the Royal Mile situated next to the Edinburgh castle. Camera Obscura simply means a dark room and this technique is the forerunner of modern photographic methods. Following this law, camera obscura placed in a room on the top of the tower has been amazing visitors for 150 years with moving images of Edinburgh city.
As you reach the top of the tower, the guide uses a special telescope to project an enlarged view of the entire city. Within the camera obscura room, you can see the live, moving picture of the city on a table before you. You will be delighted trying to lift up a car or a bus on the palm of your hand. However there is no elevator to reach the top of camera obscura, which is located about six flights up in the tower. Enroute the tower, you can see exhibitions of camera obscura, pinhole photography and art. There is also an observation deck with telescopes at the top. The guide takes visitors in groups to the camera obscura. The guide gives a brief demonstration of the camera obscura and slowly turns off the light for the visitors to enjoy the movement of the city.
