Platts & Nisbett Surgical Instruments can now be seen on display in the Surgeons’ Hall Museums in Edinburgh.

Surgeons’ Hall Museums are situated in the iconic William Playfair building and are owned by The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. They consist of the Wohl Pathology Museum, the History of Surgery Museum and the Dental Collection.

The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh was founded in 1505, with the Museums’ collections growing significantly from 1699 after ‘natural and artificial curiosities’ were publically sought. In the 1800’s the original museum expanded to include the remarkable collections of surgeon and anatomists, Sir Charles Bell and John Barclay.

Originally developed as a teaching museum for students of medicine, Surgeons’ Hall Museums’ collections have been open to the public since 1832, and now house one of the largest and most historic collections in the UK.

With support from the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2014, the Museums underwent a major redevelopment called The Lister Project. This project was an initiative by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, and focused on the College’s heritage, evolving from a 500 year old history. It helped create a new and enhanced public space within the Museums to inform and share with the general public the historical journey of surgery and its advances.

The Surgeons’ Hall Museums have now reopened following the 18 month redevelopment, with interactive displays alongside the UK’s largest collection of surgical instruments, artworks and pathological special specimens.

We are thrilled that Platts & Nisbett surgical instruments have been chosen to feature in the collection, and are pleased to show them alongside our ‘How It’s Made’ Film which is also part of the exhibition.

For more information please visit www.museum.rcsed.ac.uk