Dovecot Studios — Attraction in City of Edinburgh

If you like tapestry, art, books, or coffee then this is somewhere to go.

There is usually a chance to look in on the working floor and see tapestries as they are made, and most likely at least one exhibition - not necessarily cloth-based - to entertain you as well. The retail end has a range of books and bits and then you can go to the cafe...

This cafe deserves more attention. Off the main drag and thoroughly understated, the coffee is among the best I've had in Edinburgh and the selection of nibbles is far superior to anything in the area. Whether you care to look around the rest of the building or not - and you should - definitely go for a...

Specialist museum featuring the Dovecot studio where they weave incredible tapestries/works of art. You can view the weavers from the upstairs gallery ( it used to be a swimming pool and the weavers are in the pool area below!) Often has temporary exhibitions about fabrics and design etc which are tickeyed, but anythjng else is usually free e.g. Victoria Crow exhiition on in August 2025 in the viewing gallery. Also in the Festival it hosts Dazzle an exhibition/sale of contemporary jewelry which is very interesting and worthwhile. The cafe is good but often very busy but worth going to if you can find a table...also dies take...

I am a fan of this building designed by Architect Malcolm Fraser. It is a great re-use of an old building. I love the combination retaining most of the old building character with some contrasting contemporary inserts for this buildings current practical function. Although it is sad that it could not remain as a swimming baths it was at least brought back to life in a dynamic way through it's new cultural use which hosts regular high calibre exhibitions and events and is home to the Dovecot Studios, allowing the creativity of woven tapestry and textile arts to flourish here in Edinburgh. Not to forget the great little cafe...