Top 10 Art Galleries in Edinburgh

What is it?
One of the most famous art galleries in Edinburgh with an impressive collection of art.

Why should you go?
The Scottish National Gallery is a must-see destination and one of the best art galleries in Edinburgh. This art gallery includes a substantial collection of art, local and foreign. Located within Edinburgh's city center, the Scottish National Gallery occupies the buildings of the Royal Scottish Academy and the National Gallery. The art collection of this gallery includes the works of such master artists as Rembrandt, Raphael, Botticelli, Vermeer, and Turner. Furthermore, there is no entry fee for this art gallery.

What is it?
An art gallery and sculpture park on the grounds of the Bonnington House outside of Edinburgh.

Why should you go?
Jupiter Artland is an art space located ten miles to the west of Edinburgh. This place aims to promote art and develop creativity in children. This art gallery is located on the grounds of a 19th-century country house, featuring a beautiful sculpture park with complex art installations. Jupiter Artland regularly hosts diverse exhibitions dedicated to various themes; the current exhibit is Jupiter+ by the artist Rachel Maclean.

What is it?
The Scottish National Portrait Gallery is a prominent landmark in Edinburgh's skyline and one of the most popular art galleries in the city.

Why should you go?
This art gallery is the first portrait gallery in the world, and it is worth a visit. The Scottish National Portrait Gallery lets its visitors discover the history of Scotland via an impressive collection of portraits depicting notable historical figures like Sir Walter Scott, Robert Burns, and more recent noteworthy people like Billy Connolly and Tilda Swinton. You can easily reach the Scottish National Portrait Gallery thanks to its location in Edinburgh's city center.

What is it?
An art venue that doesn't have a permanent art collection and regularly hosts various temporary exhibitions.

Why should you go?
The City Art Center is an art gallery that promotes old and contemporary Scottish art. The collection changes throughout the year, allowing repeat visitors to see something new and exciting every time they visit this space. Paintings, drawings, and sculptures aren't the only types of art represented in this gallery; photography is another form of art explored here. Current exhibitions at the City Art Centre include Ron O'Donnell, Shifting Vistas, Glean, and Deep Rooted.

What is it?
This contemporary art gallery used to be a fruit and vegetable market; it reopened in 2021 after extensive renovations.

Why should you go?
Fruitmarket Gallery is a free art space that features an impressive collection of contemporary art from prominent British and international artists. The goal of this art gallery is to promote creative thinking through various events like exhibitions, lectures, workshops, and performances. The closest upcoming exhibition is Poor Things which presents 22 sculptures from various artists across the UK. Fruitmarket Gallery consists of two buildings: the former fruit and vegetable market and the former warehouse that was added to the gallery in 2018.

What is it?
A modern art gallery in Portobello, Edinburgh, that presents works of emerging and established artists.

Why should you go?
The Velvet Easel Gallery is another modern art gallery in Edinburgh. Unlike Fruitmarket Gallery, it's a relatively recent addition to Edinburgh's roster of art galleries since it opened its doors in 2013. Artworks on show include paintings, sculptures, ceramics, pottery, jewelry, and glass. The Velvet Easel Gallery features works by artists like Alan Richmond, Claire Rennie, Frances Clark, Jonathan Stockley, and many others. You can find this art gallery in the seaside resort of Portobello, three miles east of the Edinburgh city center.

What is it?
The Collective Gallery is an art exhibition space located within the former Edinburgh City Observatory.

Why should you go?
This modern art gallery is on Calton Hill; the Collective Gallery is in the former buildings of the City Observatory and City Dome. This gallery features an extensive collection of modern art and a rotating roster of exhibitions. The current exhibition on display is The Seeing Hands by Katie Shwab, an interactive exhibit for visitors of all ages. Upcoming shows at the Collective Gallery include Smashing Monuments and Pet Rock. Among other points of interest on the Collective's territory are a restaurant, a holiday home, and a shop.

What is it?
This Edinburgh art museum displays a rich selection of modern art inside two buildings at the heart of the city.

Why should you go?
The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art consists of two buildings – Modern One and Modern Two – each of them surrounded by beautiful sculpture parks. Modern One features a selection of art from the beginning of the 20th century to the current day, including the works of Picasso, Matisse, Dix, and Vuillard. Modern Two's highlight is The Stairwell Project by Richard Wright – an ambitious artwork made up of several thousands of hand-painted forms that illustrate this building's prior history as an orphanage.

What is it?
It's a photography art center located at the heart of Edinburgh dedicated to promoting this form of art.

Why should you go?
The Stills Gallery opened its doors in 1977 and has been championing the art of photography ever since. This art gallery has three main goals: to showcase historic photographs from various collections and archives, to display internationally renowned photographs in Scotland, and to give new Scottish photographers a chance to show off their work. There is no entry fee for visiting the Stills Gallery, and the gallery regularly hosts various temporary events. The closest upcoming exhibition is Johny Pitts: Home Is Not a Place. If you want to appreciate the beauty of photography, then this is the place to visit.

What is it?
Summerhall is a multi-arts and entertainment venue on an old historic site in Edinburgh's city center.

Why should you go?
Despite being a relative newcomer to the Edinburgh art scene, Summerhall is now a prominent event venue, hosting such events as Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the largest media and arts festival worldwide. Among upcoming events in Summerhall are a Rachel Newton concert, Edinburgh Ceilidh Club, and a Rura concert. Other events available at Summerhall include workshops, performances, and exhibits. If you're looking for a venue with a big roster of different events, then Summerhall is the place to go.