Scotland’s oldest purpose-built visitor attraction, Camera Obscura and World of Illusions is set to delight visitors for many more years as it currently undergoes a £1.2million expansion due to be completed in June 2010.

First opened in 1835 and set just a stone’s throw from Edinburgh castle, the landmark attraction is in the midst of a major refurbishment. Building work is well under way to extend the world famous tourist hotspot into the upper two floors of the adjacent ‘Ragged School’ – a former 19th century home for destitute children.

With plans to open in time for the 175th anniversary in June, the extension will boast an additional 200 square metres of exhibition space allowing the attraction to house even more fascinating optical illusions. These include more quirky hands on exhibits, such as a distorting Ames room, a Morphing machine which can change age, sex or race and a collection of rare Rubins vases. The new building will also feature a stunning glass walkway from which visitors will be able to take in unrivalled views of Edinburgh’s historic old town and beyond.

Andrew Johnson, director and manager of Camera Obscura and World of Illusions expressed his personal excitement, ‘This refurbishment comes at a significant time for our attraction as it celebrates its 175th anniversary this year. Progress on the building is already far advanced and we are extremely excited about the launch this summer.’

He added: ‘Year on year, our unique hands-on exhibits amuse and captivate people of all ages and nationalities. We have had much fun sourcing new exhibits, many of which have been suggested by our visitors. From a vortex tunnel of light to a mirrored maze, there will be something to surprise and delight everyone. We hope the refurbishment will encourage even more people to visit and join us in celebrating Camera Obscura’s momentous anniversary and bright future’.

In addition to the historic camera obscura, in which mirrors project a live moving image into a darkened room, Edinburgh’s Camera Obscura and World of Illusions contains four floors of fascinating and quirky interactive exhibits based on optical illusions and light effects.