City Art Centre
City Art Centre
4
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Located in the heart of Edinburgh close to Waverley train station, the City Art Centre’s aim is to champion historic and contemporary Scottish visual and applied arts. Artworks from our nationally Recognised collection of Scottish art are displayed on a rotating basis. Visitors can also enjoy our richly diverse programme of changing exhibitions, which include historic and modern Scottish painting and photography, as well as contemporary art and craft.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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The area
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Neighbourhood: Old Town
Few Edinburghers live in the Old Town, but its labyrinth of dank alleys and steep streets suggests this was not always the case. Today, it’s mostly visitors, tartan-flavoured souvenir shops, and pipers that you’ll find on its cobbled streets. This is the place to get a feel for Auld Reekie (Old Smelly), as the town was once nicknamed, and stroll the Royal Mile, the thoroughfare that links the castle with the royal palace – two of Edinburgh’s great set-piece attractions. But there’s lots more exploring to do here down dozens of little alleys, or wynds, while at night the city’s busiest clubs erupt along the Cowgate which is closed to traffic for this purpose.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
129 reviews
Excellent
54
Very good
46
Average
15
Poor
10
Terrible
4
Nigel B
Edinburgh, UK278 contributions
Dec 2020
The only reason it got four stars not five was down to Covid 19 restrictions within the building, ie access the roof terrace.
I booked ahead as required . I arrived and found I had a free coffee if I bought a cake the from the adjoining "Mimi's Cafe. I picked a ginger cupcake, best damn cupcake I have ever eaten, friendly professional service with a lovely smile.
Upon entering the gallery the host a lovely gentlemen told me the up to date rules , where to go to stay social distanced and all about the galleries and there exhibits.
I really enjoyed the Jock McFadyen show and well the art in the basement gallery. Given the current state of the pandemic the whole gallery could not have done better to make me feel welcome and give great access to the art. If you get the chance then go just dont expect a coat room as I foolishly did, rightly they are closed . No baggage please. Enjoy.
I booked ahead as required . I arrived and found I had a free coffee if I bought a cake the from the adjoining "Mimi's Cafe. I picked a ginger cupcake, best damn cupcake I have ever eaten, friendly professional service with a lovely smile.
Upon entering the gallery the host a lovely gentlemen told me the up to date rules , where to go to stay social distanced and all about the galleries and there exhibits.
I really enjoyed the Jock McFadyen show and well the art in the basement gallery. Given the current state of the pandemic the whole gallery could not have done better to make me feel welcome and give great access to the art. If you get the chance then go just dont expect a coat room as I foolishly did, rightly they are closed . No baggage please. Enjoy.
Written December 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A206DWmichaelb
78 contributions
Jan 2020
I have visited the gallery on many occasions. I came to see the Mary Cameron exhibition on the suggestion of the curator. I was also thrilled to see another exhibition of paintings relating to Italy. Both exhibitions were excellent. The staff were very welcoming. Well worth a visit.
Written January 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim M
London7 contributions
Jun 2022
I dearly wish that the Edinburgh City Art put on a Celtic Revival Exhibition, especially a retrospective on John Duncan, one of Edinburgh's greatest artists.
There's three or four of John Duncan's paintings in the City Arts Centre. He brings such beautiful colour and detail to the canvas to bring a wonderful portrayal of Celtic folklore. You can see he was influenced by the pre-Raphaelites especially Rossetti and Italian art frescos.
The arts centre has the superb Tristan & Isolde the classic mythical Romeo & Juliet tale of forlorn love. They hold the love potion that will make them love each other for eternity, but it was not to be, Isolde is betrothed to King Mark of Cornwall. Tristan is taking Isolde on a ship from Ireland to Cornwall for her wedding. Their tale more or less ends like Romeo & Juliet.
Go across to the Scottish National Gallery and see Duncan's magnificent Saint Bride. At first glance I did not see Saint Bride, I just was mesmerised by the two angels. The designs on their cloaks details Christ's story. Wonderful.
There's three or four of John Duncan's paintings in the City Arts Centre. He brings such beautiful colour and detail to the canvas to bring a wonderful portrayal of Celtic folklore. You can see he was influenced by the pre-Raphaelites especially Rossetti and Italian art frescos.
The arts centre has the superb Tristan & Isolde the classic mythical Romeo & Juliet tale of forlorn love. They hold the love potion that will make them love each other for eternity, but it was not to be, Isolde is betrothed to King Mark of Cornwall. Tristan is taking Isolde on a ship from Ireland to Cornwall for her wedding. Their tale more or less ends like Romeo & Juliet.
Go across to the Scottish National Gallery and see Duncan's magnificent Saint Bride. At first glance I did not see Saint Bride, I just was mesmerised by the two angels. The designs on their cloaks details Christ's story. Wonderful.
Written June 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your response and your suggestion. We take this on board and will pass this to the curators for consideration. City Art Centre.
Written July 25, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Summerasalifestyle
Malibu, CA3,586 contributions
Sept 2023 • Solo
The city art center along with national museum were the highlights of my stay in Edinburgh. Art center had special exhibit of Peter Howson.
Although it’s not allowed, I snuck a couple of photos.
Although it’s not allowed, I snuck a couple of photos.
Written September 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
suebell262
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK486 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
Third visit to this great Art Gallery Such an interesting venue with various exhibitions on display. The landscape exhibition currently on display was especially good, some fab work. Staff are always warm and friendly and the place extremely clean, warm and inviting. I'm sure it won't be our last visit and I would definitely recommend a visit x
Written January 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bibcay
Gateshead, UK4,301 contributions
Sept 2022 • Family
I don't like art but some of this art Is nice. Some of it is not great but at least the toilets were clean.
Written September 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AndrewW1984
Edinburgh, UK181 contributions
May 2019 • Solo
Great exhibition on just now, and until October 2019. 50 years of British painter, Victoria Crowe, is well worth the small entrance fee: 3 floors to pore over. It had a great cafe inside too. Highly recommended... Get along
Written May 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Plus1mouse
Edinburgh, UK50 contributions
Jul 2014 • Solo
I recently visited two exhibitions, A Capital View and The A - Z of Scottish Art. Both were outstanding, and further enlivened by the knowledge and enthusiasm of Ernie and Erik, who lead guided tours of the galleries. Ernie is marvellous at relating to his audience and encouraging them to express their personal responses to the art, while Erik, as a practising artist, is able to give a unique insight into the process of creating a work. It was a real privilege to participate in their tours, and I cannot praise all the staff at the City Art Centre highly enough for their helpfulness and friendliness. On my last visit they even arranged for me to have a tour with Erik even though I was the only person asking for one! An amazing level of customer service.
Lesley Cunningham
Lesley Cunningham
Written August 1, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cappacino_Girl
Fleetwood, UK309 contributions
Sept 2019
We had expected more from this art centre but unfortunately there was an exhibition over three floors but after having checked out the artist, neither I nor my companion fancied it. This left just the undercroft to be visited, which didn't take long at all. The selection of art there was based on Italy and apart from a couple of images, we were not inspired.
Written October 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scotfluff
lanarkshire, scotland18 contributions
Apr 2015 • Family
We visited the science festival which was on in the city art centre. This review is of the venue and not the festival, which in itself was very good.
We had the misfortune of paying for the privilege of some unsatisfactory goods and services from the cafe within the arts centre. There was one person in front of us in the queue, however it was all very disorganised and this particular lady was getting distressed about an item she seemed to have been waiting for. When eventually served, we ordered coffees and cake. The coffees were make from the machine (not Filter coffee) and when we got to our table discovered they were lukewarm at best. My husband promptly returned to the counter with them. Replacements given were slightly warmer, but not much.
However, my main point of concern is this- whilst we were in the queue- we had a nice view of the kitchen staff. NOT ONE single member of staff in that kitchen had their hair "up" or covered in any way, in fact one dishevelled looking gentleman with long, greasy hair hanging down was poking about the food preparation area. The only item these kitchen staff were wearing to protect the food from THEM were random dirty looking aprons, this is not acceptable in this day and age. I work in catering and know this goes against even basic food hygiene rules! We won't be back. Think i might give environmental health a tip off about these guys
We had the misfortune of paying for the privilege of some unsatisfactory goods and services from the cafe within the arts centre. There was one person in front of us in the queue, however it was all very disorganised and this particular lady was getting distressed about an item she seemed to have been waiting for. When eventually served, we ordered coffees and cake. The coffees were make from the machine (not Filter coffee) and when we got to our table discovered they were lukewarm at best. My husband promptly returned to the counter with them. Replacements given were slightly warmer, but not much.
However, my main point of concern is this- whilst we were in the queue- we had a nice view of the kitchen staff. NOT ONE single member of staff in that kitchen had their hair "up" or covered in any way, in fact one dishevelled looking gentleman with long, greasy hair hanging down was poking about the food preparation area. The only item these kitchen staff were wearing to protect the food from THEM were random dirty looking aprons, this is not acceptable in this day and age. I work in catering and know this goes against even basic food hygiene rules! We won't be back. Think i might give environmental health a tip off about these guys
Written April 7, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is Miami’s bakehouse pop up still here?
Written June 26, 2019
Mimi's bakehouse is attached to the City Art Centre. Yes it's still there
Written July 7, 2019
When is the exhibit of photos of Princes St, in the 60s on?Tbanks
Written June 12, 2018
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