Explore Collective
The Lookout
The distinctive restaurant which forms the north-west corner of Collective. The building was designed by Collective Architecture to complement the older buildings and was completed in 2018. For menu and booking details of The Lookout by Gardener’s Cottage visit the webpage here.
The City Dome
The largest dome at Collective. It was built in 1895 to house the Buckingham telescope, as its 22-inch lens was too large for Playfair’s Observatory. The Dome was re-purposed as a space for displaying contemporary art in 2014 and now hosts a changing programme of exhibitions and installations.
The City Observatory
Designed by William Henry Playfair in 1818 and the birthplace of astronomy and timekeeping in Edinburgh. The building houses two telescopes, a shop showcasing the work of contemporary artists and makers, and a library which is open to visitors.
The Transit House
Completed in 1812 and housed a transit telescope, which was used to calculate accurate time. Sailors would climb Calton Hill from the Port of Leith to set their chronometers by the clock in the window. The Transit House is now a learning space for visiting schools and groups.
The Hillside
The Hillside is set into the excavated hillside in front of the Observatory and is a space for looking at and thinking about new art work. Collective’s office is located here, while on the roof of the building a viewing terrace offers an extraordinary panoramic vista.
Playfair Monument
The Playfair Monument was designed by architect William Henry Playfair and dedicated to his Uncle, John Playfair, the first President of the Astronomical Society which founded the Observatory.