Location: Edinburgh
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10 Art Museums in Edinburgh That You Shouldn't Miss
Edinburgh is Scotland’s capital city, renowned for its heritage, culture and festivals.
Take a long walk around the centre to explore the World Heritage Sites of the Old Town and New Town, as well as all the area’s museums and galleries. Then stop for a delicious meal made from fresh Scottish produce before heading out to take in one of Edinburgh’s many events — including the famous summer festivals of culture, or the Winter Festivals of music, light and ceilidhs.
Restaurants in Edinburgh
1. Urbane Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
Contemporary Art Gallery Bringing National and International Art to Edinburgh
2. The Honours, Edinburgh Castle
3. DOM
4. Inverleith House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By veryb2014
350 year old house and gallery space, free entry and nice informative staff. The house is very near to the John Hope Gateway entrance with a cute cafe next door.
5. Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (Modern Two)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 615 reviews
Home to Scotland’s outstanding national collection of modern and contemporary art, the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art comprises two buildings, Modern One and Modern Two both set in beautiful sculpture park. The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Modern Two has a detailed recreation of Eduardo Paolozzi's studio on permanent display, as well as his 7.3m tall sculpture, Vulcan, that dominates the cafe where you can enjoy our delicious lunches, cakes and coffee while taking in this stunning work. The gallery is currently showing an exhibition devoted to the film special effects superstar Ray Harryhausen. Book your ticket in advance via: nationalgalleries.org
Reviewed By Rongauld - Barga, Italy
On either side of Belford Road across the Water of Leith from Edinburgh's Georgian classical "New Town" the twin galleries are worth a lengthy visit. In Gallery One at present, until May, there is the most amazingly thought provoking exhibition including work by Scottish Artist, Katie Paterson, on the themes of Time and Light. The 100 Year book project, the Moonlight Sonata bounced from the surface of the moon and the lunar eclipse mirrorball are all spectacular. Then across the road is Gallery 2, with a permanent exhibition of Edinburgh born Eduardo Paolozzi, pop art sculptor, as well as a temporary exhibition by Paula Rego with video autobiography containing interviews about her productive and provocative life. All this is FREE! but you are requested to donate at least £5 pp. well worth it.
6. Scottish National Portrait Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,670 reviews
Come face to face with the people who shaped Scotland’s past, present and future at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. One of Edinburgh’s most remarkable buildings, the Gallery opened to the public in 1889 as the world’s first purpose-built portrait gallery. Displays at the Gallery explore different aspects of the story of Scotland and her people, told through a wealth of imagery including portraits of famous historical figures such as Mary Sommeville, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns, through to more recent pioneers in science, sport and the arts including Emeli Sandé, Billy Connolly and Tilda Swinton. Round off your trip with a visit to Café Portrait for a delicious lunch or coffee. Admission is free, but tickets must be booked in advance. The Scottish National Portrait Gallery is part of the National Galleries of Scotland, which also includes the Scottish National Gallery and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art.
Reviewed By mg706 - Arlington, United States
This is a large museum dedicated to portraiture of all types. The building is a beautiful Neo-Gothic palace with many rooms to explore. One can easily spend several hours here, both admiring the art and learning about Scottish history and culture. My own favorite parts of the museum were the Main Hall, with elaborate decorative friezes of many historical Scottish figures, and the top-floor galleries of seventeenth and eighteenth century portraits. Free admission. Highly recommended.
7. Scottish National Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,452 reviews
Situated in the heart of Edinburgh, the Scottish National Gallery is home to one of the best collections of fine art in the world. This includes masterpieces by Botticelli, Raphael, Titian, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Constable, Turner, Monet, Van Gogh and Gauguin. The most comprehensive part of the collection covers the history of Scottish painting with major names such as Ramsay, Raeburn, Wilkie and McTaggart. It is a popular but peaceful attraction in the city centre offering free admission to the permanent collection and additional ticketed exhibitions. This art gallery (or art museum) is part of the National Galleries of Scotland, which also includes the Scottish National Portrait Gallery and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. It is made up of both the National Gallery building and the Royal Scottish Academy building. Both of these buildings, designed by William Henry Playfair, stand in the heart of Edinburgh.
Reviewed By NicolaD914 - Kingston-upon-Hull, United Kingdom
We visited the Scottish National Gallery in March, just before lockdown. It is situated immediately behind the Royal Scottish Academy on Princes Street and is far more interesting and also free to enter. It is a lovely building, with bright spacious galleries and houses paintings by world famous artists such as Constable, Van Gogh, Vermeer, Titian, Monet, Turner, Rembrandt. There has to be something for everyone here. We are not experts by any means but enjoyed our visit and found some of the paintings very interesting. It is well worth a visit.
8. Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (Modern One)
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 412 reviews
Home to Scotland’s outstanding national collection of modern and contemporary art, the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art comprises two buildings, Modern One and Modern Two both set in beautiful sculpture park. Explore sculptures by major artists such as Ian Hamilton Finlay, Henry Moore, Rachel Whiteread and Barbara Hepworth outside and a superb collection of art ranging from the 1900s to the present day within. Discover the dramatic lawn at the front of Modern One, designed by landscape architect Charles Jencks. The collection includes works by Matisse, Picasso, Vuillard and Dix, as well as a superb selection of paintings by Scottish artists such as Peploe, Fergusson, Gillies and Redpath. Cafe Modern One serves lunches, incredible cakes and delicious coffee. Admission is free, but tickets must be booked in advance.
Reviewed By CaptainPilko - Preston, United Kingdom
Once you get past the - for me at least - fatuous contemporary 'installations' there is a wealth of interesting and skillfully crafted stuff on display - Man Ray, Dali, Picasso, and most enjoyably a host of (for the non-expert) Scottish artists many of whose names were new to me - the colourist pictures by Cadell are superb.
9. The Queen's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 222 reviews
See changing exhibitions from the Royal Collection, featuring old master paintings, rare furniture, decorative arts and images from the vast photograph collection.
Reviewed By Suzy3133 - Dunfermline, United Kingdom
Superb exhibition , excellent audiobook providing background information on all the exhibits. Amazing to see working drawings and sketches of some of the great works of art by an iconic artist. Good facilities, friendly well informed staff, easy to access . Lightning quite low but understandable to protect drawings.
10. Royal Scottish Academy
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 75 reviews
Formed in 1826, The Royal Scottish Academy of Art & Architecture has a proud tradition of promoting excellence in contemporary art in Scotland. Led by eminent artists and architects the Academy has re-established itself as a leading organisation for the visual arts in Scotland, and has successfully garnered a reputation for the strength of its engaging and diverse exhibitions and the fantastic opportunities it offers both established and emerging artists.
Reviewed By 227ianc - London, United Kingdom
The building, built by the architect William Henry Playfair in 1822-6 and extended in 1831-6 for the Board of Manufactures and Fisheries, is one of those classical buildings which contributed to the reputation of Edinburgh as the 'Athens of the North'. The Academy supports contemporary arts in Scotland and today the buiding is connected into the National Galleries of Scotland Building at the rear which gives it flexibilty in the way that it shows exhibitions I visited in late February when the Academy was housing the 2020 edition of 'New Contemporaries' - showing a selection of the best new talent in Scotland from the 2019 degree shows at universities and art schools in a wide range of media including painting, sculpture, film-making, photography, printmaking, installation, performance and architecture. The art was varied - reflecting the world outside - with some comfortable, some challenging. For me, the architectural projects - rooted in reality - were the best.
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