The Secret Room At Lauriston Castle

The Secret Room comes to Lauriston Castle on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 December, with shows at 12:30 and 14:30 both days. It's a promenade piece, so you'll be on your feet and moving through the house rather than sitting in one spot. The whole thing runs for an hour and a quarter, set inside the castle's Edwardian interiors with views over the Firth of Forth.

The show takes its cue from the building itself. Lauriston sits at the end of a winding driveway on the outskirts of Edinburgh, a listed historic house that's one of the city's better-kept secrets. The performance leans into its mysterious past: the timeless tapestries, the rich décor, and the whispered tales of secret chambers, clandestine laboratories, and hidden passages. It also draws on the extraordinary lives of the people who lived here, including a High Court judge who was also a surreptitious alchemist, and a gambler who nearly lost everything. Three magicians bring those stories to life through illusion and sleight-of-hand, each opening a different chapter of the castle's history.

The line-up changes slightly between the two days. On Saturday 19 December, you'll see card magician Lewis Barlow, mentalist Cameron Gibson, and sleight-of-hand artist Tim Licata. On Sunday 20 December, Barlow and Gibson return, joined by magician-inventor Luke Osey. It's recommended for ages 8 and over, so it works as a family outing as much as a proper afternoon of magic.

Tickets are £22, £20 for concessions, and £16 for children, with a £1.50 booking fee per ticket. The castle is at 2a Cramond Rd S, Edinburgh EH4 6AD, and the shows run at 12:30 and 14:30 on both Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 December.