Family: Museum of Edinburgh, Huntly House

This collection of odds and ends has something that will appeal to everyone

Most towns or cities will have a place like this – the civic equivalent of a hall cupboard crammed full of a diverse collection of stuff too old or precious to sling out with the rubbish. We found ourselves at a loose end one Sunday and decided to take a look inside The Museum of Edinburgh.

The museum itself is a hotchpotch of building styles dating from the 16th and 17th centuries. A spiral staircase leads to a succession of tiny rooms stuffed full of oddities and treasures. It has a distinct Harry Potteresque charm, with glass cases galore. Highlights include Greyfriars Bobby's collar and feeding bowl and more silverware than is strictly necessary. Round each corner you can find exposed wooden beams that are ornately decorated, oak panelling and slightly wonky wooden floors or modern wrought ironwork.

The first object to attract my girls was the wooden water pipe. Eve (seven) and Hope (four) couldn't resist a quick peek down the barrel and an echooey "hellooo". Next was the sedan chair which I think should be reintroduced for children to carry parents suffering nervous exhaustion. We all took a shine to the horse dealing stone; a stone that you seal a transaction on by shaking hands whilst placing your thumb in a hole in the middle. I couldn't resist an attempt to stop the sibling rivalry once and for all by cajoling a reluctant "no fighting" promise from the girls.

We headed for the art space which is kitted out with piles of art materials for youngsters to use. We did some embossing and then some gluing and sticking before Eve spotted an activity sheet all about "your favourite museum objects". There is a tiny charge for the sheets - 5p for A4 or 10p for A3 - so the museum can keep the art store replenished. Hope and Eve both dressed up in the beautiful historic costumes before we continued exploring. Hope was really impressed by Earl Haig's robe and crown.

The museum doesn't have all the mod cons in terms of interactive displays and buttons to push. What it does have is wonderful charm and we thoroughly enjoyed discovering the odd and interesting stories. So escape the crowds at the nearby Museum of Scotland, and visit a treasure.

Museum of Edinburgh, Huntly House, 142 Canongate, Edinburgh is open daily Monday to Saturday 10am–5pm, Sundays noon–5pm. Admission free, visit www.edinburgh.gov.uk/internet/leisure/museums_and_galleries/services/

This article was originally published in The Scotsman on 20 February 2010