The Royal Scottish Academy of Art and Architecture — Attraction in City of Edinburgh

The Scottish National Gallery, a jewel in Edinburgh's cultural crown, offers an enriching experience that beautifully complements a visit to the nearby Scott Monument. Its prime location is a major draw – nestled in the heart of the city, it's just a stone's throw from the monument and a pleasant stroll from Edinburgh University. What truly sets it apart, however, is not just its impressive collection but also its accessibility and surroundings. Entry to this magnificent gallery is completely free, making world-class art available to everyone. Inside, you'll discover a remarkable array of European art, spanning from the Renaissance to the late 19th century. Masterpieces by Botticelli, Raphael, Vermeer, Monet, and Gauguin are just a few of the treasures awaiting discovery. The layout is intuitive, allowing for a relaxed exploration of various artistic movements and styles. Even for those less familiar with art history, the sheer beauty and emotional power of the works are captivating. Beyond the art itself, the gallery's setting is incredibly appealing. It's flanked by the expansive Princes Street Gardens, providing a vast green oasis perfect for a post-gallery picnic or a leisurely stroll. The availability of such a large, open space right on its doorstep adds immense value to the visitor experience, especially on a sunny day. Furthermore, its central location means that after immersing yourself in art, you're merely a short walk from Edinburgh's bustling town centre, vibrant markets, and numerous other historical sites. This makes the Scottish National Gallery an ideal starting point or a delightful interlude in a day of exploring Scotland's captivating capital. It’s an essential visit for anyone seeking cultural enrichment and a moment of tranquility amidst the city's...

We visited the Academy and found it really nice, and the staff were kind, until we got to the bottom floor and had to deal with a very rude lady called Christine. The only reason we went to the Academy’s bottom floor was because we were asked to leave our bags in the lockers there before visiting the National Gallery. We didn’t have any pound coins to close the lockers (after all our plan was to carry them around but we weren’t allowed), so we decided to make use of them anyway (we really wanted to see the galley!) but leave them unlocked and not take the keys. As we were just going to be visiting the gallery for 15-20 min before getting the train from the station just minutes down the road, we didn’t see the problem. But Christine approached in a very rude manner to say we had to pay, and accusing us of leaving the bags there to visit the Edinburgh castle. We explained that we were being forced to leave the bags there and that we didn’t have coins for the lockers, asked her to be more polite please and stop accusing us, and only then did she suggest taking the payment by card. She could have been more accommodating and polite, and explain to us that she could give us coins if we didn’t have any. When we asked her not to be rude, she said “she had to made sure we weren’t leaving the bags for the rest of the day”. Please train Christine in customer service ASAP (in general...

We visited the 197th RSA Annual Exhibition today (May 10th).

Whilst some pieces on display were indeed art and items of interest, to be honest 95% of the exhibits were laughable; my partner and I couldn't contain ourselves. This is basically an area where the artsy fartsy luvvies come together to show off what is "art" and they're outdoing themselves as to who can out-do the ridiculousness of it all. For instance there was a piece with painted circles on it, for sale (like most pieces) for £10K, and another showing thin strands of plastic for nearly £5K! A complete joke, and if these artists are getting away with this and making money from it, well done to them.

This makes a farce out of the incredible galley across the road which exhibits some absolutely phenomenal pieces, those artists must be laughing down on today's who exhibit at galleries such as the RSA.

If you're the artsy fartsy type who thinks a painting of some bloke spread out on a chaise lounge is art, then definitely go. To anyone else with a brain cell, go for a laugh perhaps if you have an hour or...