Art in Scotland
Scotland is justly proud of her artistic and cultural heritage and the country houses many wonderful collections of art from a variety of epochs. If you’re planning a visit then it’s worth checking out what our gallery scene has to offer – there are a few quirky ones that might surprise and delight you.
If you’re a bit of a culture vulture (or you’re just looking to find some cracking cafes) we’ve compiled a list of our favourite art haunts to get you started:
The McManus
An example of a highly successful refurbishment, the McManus Galleries is a beacon of culture in the centre of Dundee City centre. The McManus offers a fascinating insight into Dundee and with 8 galleries to explore, there is a wealth of information to discover in their various exhibitions of art, history and the environment. They also run a bustling calendar of cultural activities designed for all the family, so it makes a great afternoon out with the kids.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum houses one of Europe’s greatest art collections. It is amongst the top three free-to-enter visitor attractions in Scotland and is well worth a visit if you’re spending a day out in Glasgow. The museum has 22 themed galleries displaying an astonishing 8000 objects, brought together from across Glasgow Museums’ rich and varied collection, which is a Recognised Collection of National Significance. This diverse offering, from arms and armour to impressionist paintings to their Charles Rennie Macintosh collection, means there is literally something for everyone.
The Riverside Museum
Fancy something a bit different when it comes to art? How about exploring the history of transport? The multi-award winning Riverside Museum is home to over 3,000 objects that detail Glasgow’s rich past from its days as a maritime powerhouse to a glimpse into daily Glasgow life in the early to mid 20th Century. Amongst the objects on display are everything from skateboards to locomotives, paintings to prams, velocipedes to voiturettes, vintage cars to a stormtrooper. This is a great day out for adults and kids alike and we’d highly recommend swimming by if you’re ever in the area.
Perth Museum and Art Gallery
Fantastic art in Scotland isn’t limited to the bigger cities by any means. With more than half a million local, national and international objects, Perth Museum and Art Gallery have a Recognised Collection of National Significance to Scotland, divided into Social History, Natural History and Art.
Edinburgh National Galleries
The complex covers three major galleries across the city including The National Gallery for Scotland, The Scottish National Gallery for Modern Art and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. Here you can see works from artists such as Picasso, Van Gough, Monet and Henry Raeburn – all in the heart of Edinburgh. This is one to take your time with, wandering amongst the various galleries before stopping for coffee and cake in the cafe. We’d recommend taking your camera to capture the beauty of the Modern Art Galleries! It’s well worth the drive out of town to visit them…
Museum on the Mound
Money – can’t live without it? If you fancy whiling away a couple of hours in the healthy pursuit of cash and knowledge, then definitely check out the Museum on the Mound in Edinburgh. Opened in 2006, this fascinating museum takes a fresh look at money – and much, much more. Art & design, technology, crime, trade and security – all feature in the story of money. Plus, it’s free!
We hope that we’ve set you up with some ideas for your next visit to Scotland. If you fancy staying over check out our rates and dates for properties across the country at our letting site.
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