Joyce Grainger Learning Centre

Opening 3 November 2025

Permanent exhibition

Monday – Friday, 10am - 4.30pm

Free entry

Physicians' Gallery, 11 Queen Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1JQ

Click for festive opening times and public holidays

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This permanent gallery and learning centre explores our relationship with health, medicine and our bodies.

Over 50 objects, illustrations and books are on display, sharing stories from medieval medicine to modern day treatments. Examine our 5.5 metre long illustrated alchemical scroll, try our family friendly activities and discover rebel Jacobite medicines.

The development of this gallery was funded by The Joyce Grainger Charitable Trust.

EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS

Ripley Scroll

Can you find the secret to the Philosophers' Stone? This illustrated scroll supposedly contains the secrets to eternal life and details how to turn metals into gold.

Full of strange poems and unusual images – it tells the story of alchemy through verse, riddles and illustrations of dragons, angels and gods.

Learning Zone

Psychiatric Art

Some of these sketches are studies of asylum inmates. Some of the art was drawn by the patients themselves. Some are illustrations of inventions, others are sketches of devils, landscapes and buildings.

Each one is an insight into the experiences of people living in mental asylums in 1800s Britain.

Jacobite Medicine Chest

This medicine chest belonged to a notorious Jacobite. Its owner, Stuart Threipland, was personal physician to Bonnie Prince Charlie.

If you examine the chest closely, you’ll find the strange treatments of Jacobite Scotland – from beaver anal glands and copious laxatives to poisonous beetles!

Prosthetics

Prosthetics like this one tell a story. Prostheses can now be coated in colour matched silicone to replicate skin and some even have freckles and veins.

By contrast, designs such as Natalia’s express the character of their users and promote pride and positivity about their uniqueness.

Mini Display

We have so many more stories to share than we can fit in our museum! This display will change regularly to showcase different books and objects from our collections.

We’re covering everything from hallucinogenic mandrakes, queer ecology and the history of exercise. Keep an eye out for our next topics!

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