The Best Museums in Edinburgh

Here’s our guide to the best art and history museums in Edinburgh. Download and print it for free! Here are my personal favorites:

National Museum of Scotland

Mary Queen of Scots in the National Museum of Scotland

An excellent museum that describes the history of Scotland from the Stone Age to modern times. This museum is a must visit for those interested in the early Celtic and Pictish history of the country.

The National Gallery of Scotland and the Royal Scottish Academy

The Princes Street Garden's Museums

The National Gallery of Scotland is housed in a striking neoclassical building situated at one end of Princes Street Gardens. With works by Da Vinci and Van Gogh represented within the National Gallery of Scotland’s collection this is an essential part of any tour to Edinburgh city. Temporary exhibitions are frequent here and tickets can be booked in advance from the website. Right across from it, is the Royal Scottish Academy. In early summer and midwinter, it holds exhibitions of contemporary Scottish work. The Royal Scottish Society of Watercolourists, the Society of Scottish artists and the Academy itself are frequent contributors. Student art is also often exhibited. RSA also presents exciting multimedia programs featuring the latest in film, video, digital and sound works. Visit both in one day; you may recognize these museums as the setting of the famous opening scene in the film Trainspotting, where Ewan McGregor flees from the police.

The Writer’s Museum

The Writer's Museum

This delightful 17th century house affords the perfect environment in which to spend some time contemplating Scotland’s finest writers – Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson being the most notable examples. The place is brimming with memorabilia, rare collections and early editions such as Burns’ snuff box and Scott’s chess set.

The Museum of Edinburgh

Huntly House comprises three tenements that were amalgamated in 1570. It was dubbed “The Speaking House” by a Victorian antiquarian, in reference to the Latin inscriptions on its facade. Informative displays inside tell the history of Edinburgh, from prehistoric times through to the nineteenth century. Visitors are able to see collections of colourful shop signs, pottery and Edinburgh silver and glass. The tenements themselves are the real attractions here. Check for details of temporary exhibitions of art and artefacts.

Playfair Pathology Museum

For a formaldehyde fresh take on an educational trip, visit the Playfair Pathology Museum located within The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Marvel at the specimens of human remains in jars, learn the history of Edinburgh’s infamous body snatchers Burk & Hare and discover the progression of surgical operation throughout the ages. It is best to see this display on an empty stomach.

The Dean Gallery and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art

The Dean Gallery

Another two you can fit in a day (and also located on the same road), these are some of the best art museums in Edinburgh and really my personal favorites. The Dean Gallery (a former hospital building) holds Eduardo Paolozzi’s gifts to the nation amongst an impressive collection of Dada and Surrealist art, and Paolozzi’s chaotic London studio workshop recreated. Check for details of the latest exhibition of the UK’s contemporary art scene. Take a break in the coffee shop, gift shop and beautiful grounds. The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, meanwhile, houses a magnificent art collection of which the city is justly proud. On the ground floor there are special exhibition rooms and displays from the permanent collection. Here you’ll find American Pop Art, the Glasgow Boys, Rennie Mackintosh watercolours and one small room devoted to works by Ian Hamilton Finlay. The surrounding parkland contains sculpture by the likes of Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth and Anthony Caro.

National Gallery of Modern Art lake

[Photo credits: Sculpture in National Museum of Scotland by Bruce McAdam; Mary Queen of Scots by Shadowgate; Princes Street museums by exfordy; Writer's Museum by Christian Bickel; Museum of Edinburgh by Nee on the Road; Dean Gallery by gumdropgas; Gallery of Modern Art lake by yakuzaru]