Edinburgh Art Galleries

(Edinburgh, Scotland, UK)

Edinburgh is a city overflowing with art galleries, although the majority operate on a purely commercial basis, being especially clustered along Dundas Street. Those in Edinburgh who favour permanent collections of art work spanning past centuries are strongly advised to pay a visit to the National Gallery of Scotland, where famous artists are in good supply.

The Scottish National Portrait Gallery on Queen Street is also extremely popular and has recently enjoyed much refurbishment, while the Edinburgh City Art Centre on Market Street and the Deal Gallery on Belford Road are equally noteworthy. Also located on Belford Road is the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, which is home to a plethora of contemporary paintings and sculptures, where distinctive Rennie Mackintosh pieces and Henry Moore sculptures are a particular highlight for many a visitor.

National Gallery of Scotland

Address: The Mound, Edinburgh, EH2 2EL, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 624 6200
Sharing the Mound with the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA), the National Gallery of Scotland occupies a palace-like building dating back to the late 1850s. Celebrating both Scottish and European art, the National Gallery boasts an enormous archive of more than 30,000 drawings and paintings, together with an exhaustive research library now containing in excess of 50,000 books and documents. When it comes to artists, names include the likes of Bassano, Cézanne, Constable, Da Vinci, Degas, Drummond, Gainsborough, Monet, Poussin, Rembrandt, Rubens, Titian, Van Dyck and Van Gogh.
Open hours: Monday to Wednesday, Friday to Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00, Thursday - 10:00 to 19:00
Admission: free

Scottish National Portrait Gallery

Address: 1 Queen Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1JD, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 624 6200
Home of both the national collections of Scottish Portraits and Scottish Photography, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery resides on Queen Street, where it is easily recognised by its distinctive red-sandstone facade and Gothic revival architecture, which was inspired by the Doges Palace in the Italian city of Venice. This vast collection was initially established by John Ritchie Findlay (1824 to 1898), the owner of 'The Scotsman' newspaper, who generously donated his portrait paintings to the nation and funded the construction of this purpose-built gallery. Opened in 1889, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery continues to draw the crowds today.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Matthew Architecture Gallery

Address: University of Edinburgh, 20 Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JZ, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 650 2342
Located close to the National Museum of Scotland and the Bedlam Theatre, the Matthew Architecture Gallery resides within the Old Town area of the city and is without doubt Scotland's most important exhibition venue for architecture. With many exhibitions throughout the year, often featuring displays by world-famous architects, the Matthew Architecture Gallery also displays the work of architectural students from Edinburgh University.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 16:00
Admission: free

Bellevue Gallery

Address: 4 Bellevue Crescent, Edinburgh, EH3 6ND, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 557 1663
This commercial, contemporary venue features a wide range of different modern works of art, by both local Scottish and international artists. Housed in an impressive Georgian townhouse, the Bellevue Gallery hosts a number of important events and previews throughout the year. Nearby attractions are in good supply and include the Queen Street Gardens, the St. James Shopping Centre and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.
Open hours: Tuesday to Saturday - 10:00 to 18:00
Admission: free

Edinburgh City Art Centre

Address: 1-3 Market Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1DE, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 529 3993
The Edinburgh City Art Centre is housed in the former offices of the Scotsman Newspaper, in a grand building that dates back to the late 19th century. Attractions include an eclectic mixture of art work, such as modern photography, fun sculptures and stylish paintings, as well as a popular café and an art-related gift shop.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 12:00 to 17:00 (July to August)
Admission: free

Collective Art Gallery

Address: 22-28 Cockburn Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1NY, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 220 1260
The Collective Art Gallery is situated in the Old town area of Edinburgh, within the Princes Street Gardens, and was founded in 1984. With numerous exhibitions of modern art, lively sculptures and a multitude of handicrafts, many local artists regularly exhibit here. If you have time on your hands, you will find that St. Giles Cathedral and the Writers Museum are both within easy walking distance, while close by is the Royal Scottish Academy and the Scott Monument.
Open hours: Wednesday to Saturday - 11:00 to 17:30, Sunday - 13:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Dean Art Gallery

Address: Belford Road, Edinburgh, EH4 3DS, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 624 6326
The Dean Art Gallery is housed in a historic hospital building, in the heart of the city. Opened in 1999, attractions here include enormous sculptures, paintings, a coffee shop, attractive grounds and a surprisingly modern, stylish interior.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 12:00 to 17:00
Admission: permanent exhibitions - free, temporary exhibitions - charge

Edinburgh College of Art

Address: 74 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh, EH3 9DF, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 221 6032
Located on the western side of the city centre and just off Lady Lawson Street, the Edinburgh College of Art is one of the best galleries for new talent in Scotland. Attractions at this commercial venue include acclaimed degree shows during June, paintings, sculptures, ceramics, glass, textiles and jewellery.
Open hours: Monday to Thursday - 10:00 to 20:00. Friday - 10:00 to 17:00, Saturday - 10:00 to 14:00
Admission: free

Di Rollo Gallery

Address: 18a Dundas Street, Edinburgh, EH3 6HZ, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 557 5227
The Di Rollo Gallery is situated on Dundas Street, where it is housed in an attractive Georgian townhouse. Established in the early 1960s, the Di Rollo features an extensive selections of oil paintings, watercolours and contemporary works of art, many by leading Scottish artists.
Open hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday to Saturday - 11:00 to 17:30
Admission: free

Fruitmarket Art Gallery

Address: 45 Market Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1DF, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 225 2383
The highly regarded Fruitmarket Art Gallery is one of the best contemporary venues in the whole of Scotland and is situated in the centre of Edinburgh, next to Waverley Station and just a stroll away from the Dungeons. Converted into an exhibition space in 1992, the Fruitmarket features art work by new Scottish and English artists. The Fruitmarket operates on a not-for-profit basis and is registered as a Scottish charity.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 11:00 to 18:00, Sunday - 12:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Hanover Fine Arts

Address: 22a Dundas Street, Edinburgh, EH3 6JN, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 556 2181
Hanover Fine Arts ranks amongst the most popular commercial art shops in the city and always has an extensive collection of contemporary pieces on display. Located in the New Town area of the city, Hanover Fine Arts features numerous paintings, sculptures, ceramics, textiles and jewellery, with around ten exhibitions every year.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 10:30 to 18:00, Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art

Address: 73 Belford Road, Edinburgh, EH4 3DR, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 624 6200
Standing within the New Town area of the city, the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art is one of the most important of its kind in this part of Scotland and was founded in 1984. Housed in the former John Watson School, which dates back almost 200 years, the National Gallery of Modern Art boasts a number of different exhibition rooms. Highlights include watercolours by Rennie Mackintosh, and many paintings by world-famous artists such as Bonnard, Kirchner, Magritte, Matisse, Miro, Picasso and Vuillard, amongst others. Additional attractions include a café and a large museum shop.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 14:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Nexus Galleries

Address: 55 / 61 Bread Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9AH, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 477 4524
The Nexus Galleries is situated behind the Usher Hall and the Traverse Theatre in the Old Town area of the city, part-way between the city's College of Art and the International Conference Centre. With regular exhibitions, including work by local up-and-coming artists, this commercial gallery has many popular shows throughout the year. Edinburgh Castle is especially nearby, as is the Royal Lyceum Theatre and the Odeon Cinema.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Edinburgh Patriothall / WASP Art Gallery

Address: Patriothall Studios, off 48 Hamilton Place, Edinburgh, EH3 5AY, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 225 1289
Close to St. Stephen's Centre and the Scotmid Co-operative Society, the Edinburgh Patriothall / WASP Art Gallery is a popular venue in the New Town area and features many excellent works of art by emerging Scottish artists.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 12:00 to 17:00, Saturday and Sunday - 12:00 to 18:00
Admission: free

RIAS Art Gallery

Address: 15 Rutland Square, Edinburgh, EH1 2BE, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 229 7545
Situated on Rutland Square, within the New Town area, the RIAS Art Gallery features a number of exhibition spaces where you will find photographs, paintings, themed-displays and drawings.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Royal Scottish Academy (RSA)

Address: The Mound, Edinburgh, EH2 2EL, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 558 7097
Founded in 1826 and located in its present venue since the early 1850s, the exceptional Royal Scottish Academy is situated in within the city centre, next to the National Gallery. This impressive neo-classical building was built in the early 19th century and now houses many important works of art, including a multitude of excellent watercolour paintings.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 14:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Scottish Art Gallery

Address: 16 Dundas Street, Edinburgh, EH3 6HZ, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 558 1200
The Scottish Gallery was established in 1842 and remains Scotland's oldest commercial exhibition space, being located in its current building on Dundas Street since 1993, next to the Queen Street Gardens. This popular venue features many excellent contemporary paintings, sculptures, ceramics and jewellery.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 18:00, Saturday - 10:00 to 16:00
Admission: free


Other notable art galleries within Edinburgh include the following venues:

Stills Gallery

Address: 23 Cockburn Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1BP, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 622 6200
Open hours: Tuesday to Saturday - 10:00 to 18:00
Admission: free

Duane Hanson - A Retrospective Art Gallery

Address: Belford Road, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Edinburgh, EH4 3DR, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 624 6326
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 12:00 to 17:00

Edinburgh Contact Art Gallery

Address: Grindlay Court Centre, Grindlay Street Lane, Edinburgh, EH3 9AR, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 229 7941
Open hours: Monday to Thursday - 10:00 to 16:00, Friday - 10:00 to 14:00, Saturday - 11:00 to 16:00
Admission: free

Fragments of Ancient Poetry

Address: 1 Queen Street, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh, EH2 1JD, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 624 6200
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 12:00 to 17:00

i2 Art and Design

Address: 66 Cumberland Street, Edinburgh, EH3 6RE, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 558 9872
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 18:00, Saturday - 10:00 to 16:00
Admission: free

Ingleby Gallery

Address: 6 Carlton Terrace, Edinburgh, EH7 5DD, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 556 4441
Open hours: Wednesday to Saturday - 10:00 to 18:00

Ink Tank

Address: 30 St. Stephen Street, Edinburgh, EH3 5AL, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 226 5449
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 08:30 to 18:30
Admission: free

Kingfisher Gallery

Address: 5 Northumberland Street Lane, Edinburgh, EH3 6JL, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 557 5454
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 11:00 to 16:30
Admission: free

Kojin

Address: 49 Bernard Street, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6SL, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 467 7392
Open hours: Tuesday to Friday - 11:00 to 18:00, Saturday and Sunday - 11:00 to 16:30
Admission: free

Mounted Gallery

Address: 5 York Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3EB, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 229 8844
Open hours: Sunday to Friday - 12:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

New Street Exhibition Space

Address: 14 New Street, Edinburgh, EH8 8BH, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 558 7604
Open hours: daily - 11:00 to 18:00
Admission: free

Queen's Hall Gallery

Address: Clerk Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9JG, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 667 7776
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:30
Admission: free

Open Eye Gallery

Address: 75-79 Cumberland Street, Edinburgh, EH3 6RD, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 557 1020
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 18:00, Saturday - 10:00 to 16:00
Admission: free

24 Royal Circus

Address: 24 Royal Circus, Edinburgh, EH3 6SS, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 226 2769
Open hours: Saturday and Sunday - 11:00 to 17:00
Admission: free