National Galleries of Scotland: National

The gallery is very nice and definitely worth a visit. Entry is completely free, which is a great bonus. The interior is clean, the exhibitions are well organized, and there’s a good variety of artwork to explore. However, it was quite crowded during our visit, which made it a bit difficult to enjoy everything at a relaxed pace. Still, if you’re in the area and appreciate art or culture, this is a great (and free) stop to include in your itinerary.

It's a nice art gallery. The most interesting parts are the paintings by Scottish artists and the impressionist section. Entry is free, but donation is recommended. The lockers are operated by 2 pounds or by plastic money (tokens), which can be purchased at the information desk. Unfortunately there is no drinking water refill option in the toilette, but the cafe's staff were very kindly and filled our water bottle.

Came for the international paintings, stayed for the Scottish art! Such beautiful paintings and tapestries, don't miss the exhibition of the local artists! Phoebe Anna Traquair's works are my new obsession now 💞 Also, whoever curated background colors in the impressionism section - you are a genius! It complimented the exhibits SO well, I genuinely have never seen such brilliant staging before. The colors were POPPING ✨️ simply amazing!

A wonderful gallery. We particularly enjoyed looking at the artwork pieces by Monet, Van Gogh, Degas, Cezanne, and Gauguin. Friendly staff. Loads of art trail and colouring options to follow. Great gift shop. Clean toilets. Definitely recommend.

We get to explore the place by chance on our final day and I am glad we did it. There are many exceptional art pieces inside. It was an amazing experiment. You can see how the Scottish arts evolved in history. Recommend it

🌟 **A Treasure Trove of Art: National Gallery of Scotland** 🌟 My visit to the National Gallery of Scotland was nothing short of spectacular. Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh, this gallery is a haven for art lovers and history enthusiasts alike. The moment you step inside, you're greeted by a stunning collection of artworks that span centuries, from the Renaissance to modern masterpieces. The gallery's layout is thoughtfully designed, making it easy to navigate through the various rooms and exhibits. Highlights of my visit included works by Titian, Rembrandt, and Turner, each piece offering a unique glimpse into the past. The Scottish art section was particularly captivating, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the nation. One of the best aspects of the National Gallery is the free admission, allowing everyone to experience the beauty of these timeless artworks. However, I highly recommend donating if you can, as it helps maintain this cultural gem for future generations. Pro Tip: **Plan your visit during the early hours or on weekdays to avoid the crowds.** The gallery can get quite busy, especially during weekends and holidays. Also, take advantage of the guided tours—they provide fascinating insights into the artworks and their historical context. Despite the bustling atmosphere, the gallery offers plenty of quiet corners where you can sit and reflect on the art. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, always ready to answer questions and provide information. Overall, my visit to the National Gallery of Scotland was an enriching and inspiring experience. Whether you're an art aficionado or simply looking for a peaceful retreat in the heart of the city, this gallery is a must-visit. Can't wait to return and explore more! 🎨🏛️

Probably the most artistically refined national gallery I’ve ever seen. Even Van Gogh’s original Olive Trees was tucked quietly into a corner — that's how high the overall standard is here! We didn’t plan much before visiting, but the collection turned out to be an unexpected highlight of our trip to Scotland. Understated yet profoundly impressive. 🎨👏

We couldn’t explore the inside, but it’s located in a beautiful spot at the foot of the city, around Princes Garden. Edinburgh is not a city to be seen in just one day—it deserves at least 4-5 days to truly experience. On our next visit, we plan to focus more on cultural attractions, and this gallery will definitely be on our list. I believe it’s a place filled with many valuable insights and information.

Dean Gallery (or as it is now known, Modern 2) is the smaller sister venue to the Modern Art Gallery that is just across the road. The outdoor lawn is dominated by the 'There will Be No Miracles Here' permanent installation but inside the gallery it is usually home to temporary exhibitions - I was there for the MC Escher exhibition which is probably the largest collection of his work that has been seen in the UK - it's a pricey £9 but you don't often get to see so many of his works of art. There is a small cafe in the gallery where you are overlooked by a huge Paolozzi statue which we didn;t use this time. It is quite small but if it is too busy you can always cross the road to the Modern Art Gallery.

Art that feed the soul. Located in a grand Georgian building surrounded by greenery, the Dean Gallery is a wonderous art gallery that was opened in the late nineties. Owned and run by the National Gallery of Scotland, it showcases a selection of permenant and touring contemporary art. There's a selection of spacious rooms spread over two floors and I've had the good fortune to see some incredible art for free or nominal admission. Earlier this year, I was blown away by the Diane Arbus exhibition showcasing some of her seminal black and white photos from the 1950s and 1960s alongside provocative personal projects. The thing I'll never forget however, is seeing Tracey Emin's wooden rollercoaster and beach hut on stilts exhibited alongside her legendary quilts, polaroids and sketches. Art that feeds the soul indeed.

Pretty much all of the city centre located, or nearby galleries in Edinburgh are really impressive in terms of architecture, and a grand joy to observe, which is a good starting point, considering this is just the impression you get before you even see any of the art. I'm really fortunate to have both the Dean Gallery and The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art close to where I live, and in fact, if you're in the centre of town, The Dean is just a short walk from the west end, and a pretty nice walk at that, particularly on a sunny day (we do get them sometimes). The Dean houses the Gallery of Modern Art's permanent collection, and also exhibits its own temporary shows. The permanent collection includes Dada, surrealist art and the amazingly intimidating Vulcan sculpture by Eduardo Paolozzi, which is well worth a trip to see. There is also The Paolozzi Gallery, which includes more work from the late Edinburgh born artist and sculptor. I recently saw the Diane Arbus photography exhibition here, which I thought was compelling and excellently displayed. I strongly recommend taking a wander away from town to get here, because after you've finished at Dean Gallery, there is the added luxury of being able to simply cross the road and have a peek, or more, at the Gallery of Modern Art.

We are spoilt for choice when it comes to art galleries in Edinburgh, undoubtedly we were first in line when God was bestowing culture upon (Scottish) cities, and I do feel rather lucky to have so much on my doorstep. Of all the big galleries, the Dean is my favourite, but I sometimes feel the culturally minded among us forget about it, like it's the runt of the art pack or something. It's a shame because this is a wonderfully bizarre place with all sorts of mad pieces to be intrigued by. There is a room which contains the entire contents of the sculptor Eduardo Paolozzi's studio, set up as he would have had it; I could easily spend a day in here looking at the hodge-podge of items that he accrued and was inspired by. If you're interested in Dadaism or Surrealist works, then this is the gallery for you. If not, it is still worth a visit, even if it is just to roam around the lovely building and grounds.

I visit the Dean Gallery, pary of the National Galleries of Scotland, several times a year. It remains one of my favourite galleries in Edinburgh. Opened in relatively recent times, it houses some of Edinburgh greatest modern art. A gallery of consistent quality, the Dean houses modern art with a particularly strong collection of Dada and surrealist work. It also displays a collection of works by Eduardo Paolozzi worth seeing. Situated in lovely grounds, opposite the Gallery of Modern Art, there is a surreal but contemplative atmosphere. The building itself displays lovely 19th century architecture. The Dean Gallery is great for a morning or afternoon out, especially with its great cafe. Combine this visit with the gallery opposite and you have a recipe for an even better day out of culture and stimulation. Also try walking along the nearby stretch of the Waters of Leith to get here from the city centre (well signposted if you're approaching from the East). Check you their website for news on their temporary exhibitions.

One of my favourite places to disappear off to in Edinburgh. The Dean is a little outside the city in leafy Dean Village but is worth a jaunt - combine it with a wander along the best stretch of the Waters of Leith walkway, accessible and signposted from Haymarket station, to make it memorable -or take the free bus from the Waverley Bridge/Mound or Queen Street galleries. The Dean Gallery specialises in modern art has great permenant and temporary exhibitions which, on the whole, are free to view and the building and gardens (+ that of the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art adjacent) are great to wander lonley as a Ess

A gallery of consistent quality, the Dean houses modern art with a particularly strong collection of surrealist work. Situated in lovely grounds, opposite the Gallery of Modern Art, there is a surrean but contemplative atmosphere. The Dean Gallery is great for a morning or afternoon out, especially with its great cafe. Combine this visit with the gallery opposite and you have a recipe for an even better day out of culture and stimulation.

Great place for a day off or an artie weekend. The gallery is small and dedicated to contemporary art. The green area, which could be called a park, is stunning. There is a pool of water in the form of a snail in front of the main entrance. The last exhibition I saw there was a famous collection of contemporary portraits. The first prize was of a young girl and the colours were so unusual and touching at the same time. The cafe is on the ground floor and can seat a fair number of visitors.

Absolutely worth a visit both for the tourist and local. Free admission. Lots of beautiful Scottish impressionist paintings to look at on the ground floor (Roland Penrose Gallery). Plus like every place of interest ~ they have a shop! The sculptures and the beautiful Dean Gallery itself is a feast! Dig in!

I'm starting to turn into a proper wanker who likes art galleries. Had the best time here today with me mammy. There was an exhibition on about witches which was very cool and interesting and some other neat paintings too. The spiced fruit scone in the cafe with cream and jam was totally epic too.

The Dean Gallery, situated across the road from the Gallery of Modern Art is an equally impressive building. Its architecture is very different from the modern art it houses. If surrealist art isn't your thing, it does have some great visiting exhibitions, recently including Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Van Gogh and Picasso. There is also a great café.

A walk along the river to the Dean Gallery is the perfect way to spend a relaxing afternoon. As a keen photographer I've been very impressed with some of the photography exhibitions here. This gallery may be a little way out of the city centre but its worthy of your extra effort. Take a look at the website for upcoming events.

We took ourselves for a walk along the river to the Dean Gallery of Modern Art. This too me was something I was looking forward too after a long walk. Sadly for us they closed off some of the floors to the public as they were changing some of the installations and hangings. Also just across the road is The Scottish National Gallery Of Modern Art, but again some of the rooms were closed to the public. Dean Gallery had a very nice restaurant attached to it and it was very busy so I would phone to book in advance.

The Dean Gallery is just out of the city centre but easily reached by a free bus that is also handy for the Gallery of Modern Art that is situated just across the road. The gallery also has a spacious car park which is very handy. The building itself is gorgeous, set in its own grounds with lovely gardens. It quite often has visiting exhibitions, one I visited not so long ago was Van Gogh which was fantastic, with lots of fantastic pieces.