We wandered in because it started to rain and it was nearby. And then we stayed until it was…read moreclosing because it was such a great museum!! Really great exhibits, lots to see from many different artists, eras, and styles. Highly recommend stopping in.

Visited the National Galleries of Scotland while in Edinburgh. The layout was easy to navigate, and…read morethe exhibits were well-presented and fascinating. Highlights included works by Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Monet, Vincent van Gogh, Raphael, and many other notables. Staff were helpful when needed, and entry was free. Overall, a great way to spend a few hours -- a must-see for art lovers. Saluti.

I'm a huge museum geek. I go to the museum as often as possible in whatever city I'm in. This visit…read morewas many years ago (should have written a review a long time ago). I spent almost a month in Scotland for a milestone birthday and it was a truly wonderful experience. Most of the museums are free which I definitely wasn't used to being from San Diego; none of ours are. We walked through the national mall and I was in awe. The history of the buildings in the mall were older than the United States which is crazy. As we entered we were greeted by several extremely friendly employees including the security guard. I stopped at the information desk to ask questions and get a map. Then we set off through the rooms and floors. Most art was centuries ago was religious themed which I had forgotten, walking through the museum I was floored at the detail and the preservation of the pieces. My friend who accompanied me was not a museum person but he too got caught up in the sheer beauty of it all. I'm excited to return to Edinburgh in 2026 and I will absolutely be spending another full day here.

We recently made our way over to the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art after my son…read morerecommended it to us. I love all things art and free art is even better! The building we walked into was impressive itself but they were in the middle of changing exhibits upstairs so we were limited to the main floor. After being a little disappointed at the lack of art on display, we learned we were in Modern Two and there was a whole other building across the street - Modern One! It was nearly closing time so we quickly made our way over there. We were very happy to see the variety and quantity of works on display! I loved seeing an Edvard Munch lithograph, a colorful David Hockney acrylic, a Picasso - and many more interesting works by new-to-me artists! I hope to get back here again when I have more time to explore!

Situated in the heart of Edinburgh, the Scottish National Gallery is a small but delightful museum…read more While Scottish artists are the main focus, the National Gallery also houses works of art from famous European artists. All of Edinburgh's publicly owned museums and galleries offer free entry to their permanent collections, and National Galleries Scotland manage five buildings which provide access to a fantastic array of artworks. In the very heart of Edinburgh, on the Mound, which connects both Old and New Town, is the original National Gallery of Scotland itself, alongside its sister gallery, the Royal Scottish Academy building. Inside the building is a sumptuous series of open spaces with works by some of the world's greatest classic artists on display, alongside iconic works by Scottish painters. Artists like Rembrandt and Van Dyck are represented alongside Monet, Reubens and Titian, as well as British painters like Constable and Turner. One iconic picture which is often considered a definitively Scottish work is Edwin Landseer's Monarch of the Glen, featuring a majestic stag in front of a Scottish Highland backdrop.

Superb gallery in Edinburgh - well worth the visit…read more We stopped by on our third morning and had a wonderful time. This is not a massive (aka tiring) place, but it has excellent representation of Masters (Rubens, Rembrandt, Titian), and even a specially designed octagonal room dedicated to Nicolas Poussin's Seven Sacraments (1644-1648) - considered one of the greatest sets of paintings in the history of Western art. But my favorites pieces were by lesser known English, Scottish and Italian artists - such as Monarch of the Glen, Reverend Robert Walker Skating on Duddingston Loch, and The Campbell Sisters. They have a small cafe which we visited when we needed a little coffee and cookie break, and the staff were very helpful and gracious. Would be happy to return.

The Grand Gallery, which is the grand entrance, is bright with natural light. We viewed the stuffed…read morebody of Dolly the sheep, the first successful cloning of a mammal. We mainly focused on the Natural World galleries- Animal World & Animal Senses due to limited time. I'm amazed by how many species there are. The displays were interesting and informative. What's even more amazing is that the entrance is free!

It's the museum on Chambers Street. The entrance is in the round tower that is across the street…read morefrom Greyfriars Bobby. You might as well rub his nose for good luck before crossing over. There is a beautiful & bright atrium in the heart of the museum. You can see all 4 floors from this spot as you look up from the first floor. There are galleries and exhibits all around it. We started our journey on the ground floor of the tower in the Kingdom of the Scots, and then worked our way up and over. It truly is the perfect place to go on a rainy morning. The best part is that it's free admission, but donations are always welcomed. There were many highlights for me. The Maiden that was used for public executions in Grassmarket, Mercat Cross, and Castlehill was certainly eerie to look at along with some of the torture devices used back in that period. The display of items belonging to Mary, Queen of Scots was presented beautifully. Especially that lovely jeweled necklace. The exhibits of the Americas was nicely done. I even saw a gut parka on display that was similar to one we saw in Alaska earlier this year. The displays of musical instruments and ceremonial dance costumes was vibrant & interesting. I was drawn to the Bloody Empire display. It was a very artistic expression of anarchism in the form of wallpaper. It's unique. I have to say the same thing about the Slit Gong musical instrument that is said to bring out the voices of a dead ancestor. Very creepy stuff! The subject matter lightened up a bit as we walked through the technology & industry part of the museum. It was cool to see "The Hawk" as well as the display of bicycles and phones (including a Mickey Mouse one). But, I think the best part was the spectacular view of Edinburgh from the open rooftop. It would have been better on a sunny day, but it was still a great sight to see. It's worth taking those outdoor spiral steps up to see it. I love that there's a mini garden with upland grasses and plants along the lookout walls of the roof. A nice little touch. We spent about 2 hours here, but could have easily stayed longer. There's a balcony café on what is technically the 3rd floor of the building (2nd floor when looking up from the main atrium). There is a fee-based exhibit called "Monkeys Our Primate Family" that may be of interest to some. It ends on 30 Nov 2025. Overall, the museum is great fun for all ages. It's a great way to learn more about the Scottish innovators throughout history.

A visit to this museum and art gallery is not only a great way to spend a few hours but it is also…read morevery educational. kids and adults alike will enjoy their time in this place and will almost certainly want to return. I have been many times no and always look forward to my next visit.

As huge fans of the Georgian era, in which some of our favorite novels are set, visiting the…read moreGeorgian House in New Town was high on our list of must-do's in Edinburgh. We happily watched the informational video and then wandered through the house, from the lavish dining and living areas on the upper floors to the functional bedrooms on the lower floors to the kitchen and wine cellar in the basement. Take an hour to stop by next time you're in town - you won't be disappointed.

An interesting visit. The museum gives you a sense of Edinburgh when the city expanded. The docents…read moreare knowledgeable and engaging, they bring the house to life! Be sure to watch the video at the start of your visit and spend time speaking with the docents in the dining room and kitchen.

Once again, the Museum Late evening (now becoming a regular fixture) was great fun, with lots of…read moreinteresting folk, good music and plenty of other entertainment. The music, overseen again by Vic Galloway, was particularly fine this time round. There was a decent Glasgow indie band, but great DJs and a pretty meaty sound system; this was obviously for dancing, rather than just background music, which is always a good sign. The silent disco was also back, which works well for me, as people just assume I must be dancing to a different song. For those prepared to explore, there were plenty of other bits to keep you amused, from face painting to exhibits (it *is* a museum) and various entertainers scattered around the place. There are really only two things here that aren't made of 100% awesome: The theming. The organisers trotted out an animatronic dinosaur once every so often, which chased people around a bit before returning to its authentic Triassic gazebo. There were also some natty dinosaur masks available, and a few folks in their own dinosaur costumes, but I can't shake the suspicion that the themes are just a brilliant excuse for using the museum as a club venue. The end. A few words of thanks for Vic Galloway and the house lights are brought pointedly back to full brightness. This is a move I still strongly associate with school discos, and the attendant sense of having done something you'll be teased about tomorrow.

The positives: impressive building, impressive atrium…read more Contents: lacklustre. Was bored. Just did nothing for me -- 2 or 3 impressive pieces overall. And the taxidermied stuff ... really made me want to run to the (beautiful) Scottish hills as quickly as possible.

The Museum of Edinburgh is often missed out or overlooked in favour of the city's more famous…read moremuseums or galleries. Built within an old 16th century Scottish mansion, the house itself is a real historic find Musuem housing a collection relating to the town's origins, history and legends. Exhibits are described as a maze of history with more rooms than one can imagine The Museum also houses spectacular collections of decorative art which reveal a rich history of Scottish craftsmanship, from beautifully cut and engraved glass and intricately made silver from Edinburgh and Canongate, costume, longcase clocks, along with Scottish pottery and Scottish porcelain dating from the 1760s. This free museum is easy to locate on the historic Royal Mile and with a wide range of stories and objects, this museum has something for young and old, locals and visitors.

Surprisingly large. The exterior of the museum is unassuming. There are MANY different rooms, each…read morewith a specific topic. The organization allows you to linger in rooms of interest and quickly scan rooms of lesser interest. It is likely that you will find enough content interesting to justify your visit.

Saw a poster for this and decided to pop along. Really glad that I did. So interesting and well put…read moretogether. If you have a spare half hour or so I would highly recommend it.

From the owner: The Physicians' Gallery is a free museum which is part of the Royal College of Physicians of…read moreEdinburgh. In our permanent gallery you can find our alchemical scroll which explores the secret to making the Philosophers' Stone, as well as Jacobite medicines, family-friendly activities and Victorian patient art. We also run a rolling programme of temporary exhibitions, covering subjects such as addiction, mental health, alchemy and death.

Excellent little museum that goes on and on. Sprawled throughout several charming old buildings and…read morearound a courtyard. Take the map guide they hand out at the front because unless you've found the huge barn with the magnificent old Zulu class fishing boat, The Research, you've missed a significant part of the collection. My two kids, ages 5 and 12, were absolutely enchanted for well over an hour with the various displays and things they could try out. From sleeping in a real bunk bed to taking the helm of a real ship. Arts and crafts, how fishing nets were made, how fisher folk lived, why the distinctive patterns on their hand-made jerseys mattered. On and on. A lot of history is covered and you will definitely learn something. There are even some spectacular paintings like Anchored by the late John Bellany. The café looked pretty nice too though we did not get to try it this time. This is THE perfect place to while away an afternoon if the weather should turn during your visit to beautiful Anstruther. Enjoy.

For a very low entry fee this Tardis of a place is full of surprises and offers a highly…read moreinformative,surprising and fascinating day out, offering glimpses into Scotland's fishing industries past. From outside it doesn't look that big, but inside you will be amazed at the extensive dipsplays and full-size fishing vessels contained therein. A futher suprise is an ancient well, discovered only during building museum extension work. This museum is truly a labour of love, as it is a private interest.