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All the United Kingdom Scotland Forres The House of Automata
AO Edited

The House of Automata

A curious collection of mechanical moving figures.

Forres, Scotland

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Nodding Clown   mechanik / Atlas Obscura User
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‘Nancy’   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
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Nancy is a life sized breathing automaton with many varied movements   mechanik / Atlas Obscura User
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Peacock Automaton   mechanik / Atlas Obscura User
Tiger at the Workshop   mechanik / Atlas Obscura User
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Automata Salon Demonstration.   mechanik / Atlas Obscura User
The front entrance to The House of Automata   mechanik / Atlas Obscura User
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About

The House of Automata is an exhibition of antique and modern mechanical moving figures, as well as a restoration workshop.

A visit to the House of Automata will give you an insight into the anatomy of mechanical life, from a sailing ship the size of a fingernail to the glamorous Nancy, a larger-than-life breathing automaton.

In the visible workshop, you can see examples of all the various skills needed to restore and make automata. The skills of the clockmaker, musician, sculptor, painter, and dressmaker can all be used in an automaton restoration project.

In the exhibition, you can see hundreds of automata, many of which have QR codes with links to videos of them working. There is also an interactive gallery of antique and modern automata, which can be operated via push buttons.

There is also a gift shop, which is free to enter and features magic, puzzle boxes, animated cards, and scientific and technical toys.

Related Tags

Amazing Automata Museums Collections Inventions

Know Before You Go

The entrance is just off the High Street on Leys Road. Exhibition and gift shop opening times vary, please see the House of Automata website for details.

The “Automata Salon” is a seated show demonstrating many rare musical automata. It is held on the last Saturday of every month. Advanced booking is encouraged.

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Flavors of Scotland: Beyond the Haggis

Smoked seafood, single malt whisky, and warm hospitality.

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mechanik, magnoliamonk, SEANETTA

  • mechanik
  • magnoliamonk
  • SEANETTA

Published

March 23, 2010

Updated

August 24, 2023

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  • http://thehouseofautomata.com/contact/
The House of Automata
32 High Street
Forres, Scotland, IV36 1DB
United Kingdom
57.610876, -3.61076
Visit Website
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Nearby Places

Forres Witches Stone

Forres, Scotland

miles away

The Burning of the Clavie

Burghead, Scotland

miles away

Rait Castle

Nairn, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Scotland

Scotland

United Kingdom

Places 739
Stories 49

Nearby Places

Forres Witches Stone

Forres, Scotland

miles away

The Burning of the Clavie

Burghead, Scotland

miles away

Rait Castle

Nairn, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Scotland

Scotland

United Kingdom

Places 739
Stories 49

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The Astounding World of Automata

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Show & Tell: The Mechanical Magic of Scotland’s House of Automata

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