Temple of art: The National Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh

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The National Gallery of Scotland’s outstanding permanent collection consists of over 65,000 pieces, ranging from the early Renaissance to the 20th century. The Venetian collection features masterpieces by 16th century Venetian artists including “The Three Ages of Man,” by Titian and “The Adoration of the Kings,” by Jacopo Bassano.

Celebrated Artworks In The National Gallery Of Scotland

Celebrated 18th and 19th century European masters represented include van Gogh, Gauguin, Degas and Rodin, as well as Impressionists Renoir, Monet, Cezanne, Pisarro and Seurat. The excellent Dutch and Flemish collection occupies three galleries, and displays 17th century paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Vermeer, and van Dyck. The National Gallery’s collection also contains notable paintings by Gainsborough, Delacroix, Constable, Goya, and Benjamin West. Other significant works on display are El Greco’s “Savior of the World,” and Nicholas Poussin’s “Seven Sacraments.”

National Gallery of Scotland with the Gallery Café facing Princes Street Gardens and Edinburgh Castle in the background.

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A highlight of the National Gallery of Scotland is the national collection of Scottish art, located in the New Wing. This collection showcases works exclusively by Scottish painters from the 16th century to contemporary times. Themes in Scottish art include Portraiture, Landscape, Scottish Art Movements, Episodes from Scottish History, and Legend, Fantasy and Imagination. Some of the Scottish artists whose works are represented in this collection include Alan Ramsay, Sir David Wilkie, Sir James Guthrie and William McTaggart.

Cambell's Tomato soup tins raise awareness for the big Andy Warhol exhibition at Edinburgh's National Gallery of Scotland.

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Entry to the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Scotland is free of charge, although there is an admission charge for the special art exhibitions. Opening hours are daily 10am- 5pm, Wednesdays until 7pm, closed 25 and 26 December. Taking photographs is not allowed inside the National Gallery of Scotland.

The Writers' Museum located in Lady Stair's House, Edinburgh

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The Writers’ Museum Honours The Many Authors Who Have Been At Home in Edinburgh

Three famous writers of Scotland are honored in this small museum that displays memorabilia and historical information about their lives and works. One of the most famous countrymen, Robert Burns, stayed in a home opposite the Writers’ Museum Edinburgh during a visit to the city in 1786. Probably one of the most celebrated of Scotland’s writers, statues of Burns are scattered around the area.

Sir Walter Scott called Edinburgh home being born there in 1771. His colorful life included training as a lawyer and then as an author penning novels such as “Waverly”, “Rob Roy” and “Ivanhoe” among others. The museum displays portraits and artifacts from Scott’s life.

Another native son, Robert Louis Stevenson was born in Edinburgh in 1850. Best known for his books, “Treasure Island” and” Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”, his autobiographical essays and poetry including “A Child’s Garden of Verses” portray life in Scotland during his childhood. Some of Stevenson’s personal items are included in the displays of his works and life history.

The sign of the Writers' Museum in Edinburgh

The Writers’ Museum Edinburgh gives visitors a chance to not only learn a few facts about Scotland’s famous authors but an opportunity to walk through a period home. Wall displays and dozens of interesting personal items including pipes, chess sets and snuff boxes fill the small interior spaces. Early editions of the author’s books are fun to pore over and imagine them writing these masterpieces without the aid of computers. The museum is free to the public and often offers special exhibits featuring one of the writers.

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The collection at the Museum of Childhood, Edinburgh is a delight, and the exhibits are full of interesting stories and history. The evolution of rocking horses, for example, is presented, starting with simple carved horses of the 17th century and developing eventually into plastic horses on springs. The creation of teddy bears in Germany in 1907 and the spread of their popularity to Britain, America, Australia, France, Japan, and other nations is presented.

Ahoy! A collection of historic dolls in Edinburgh's Museum of Childhood.

The 8,000 dolls made of wood, cloth, wax, ceramic, and plastic are a parade of history, starting with the paddle doll from 1.300 BC. Every doll is unique and has a story. The richly dressed “Old Pretender” doll is from the the court of King James II in 1680. The Three in One doll made in England in 1916 has three heads, including two white girls and one black boy.

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The collection of doll’s houses at the Museum of Childhood, Edinburgh is worth a trip in itself. The doll’s houses are a wonderful exhibit of period architecture, starting with the Nuremberg house, built in 1673. Comparing the furnishings and appliances in the doll’s houses is a wonderful way to see how life has changed over the past 350 years.

Edinburgh's Museum of Childhood also attracts big kids.

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So Much To See At Edinburgh’s Museum Of Childhood

Children will be familiar with many of the toys on display and amused to see them in a museum. Most boys and many girls have had Hot Wheels, which first sold in 1968, and children are interested to see all the varieties of these toy cars. The same is true for the robot toys known as Transformers, first sold in 1984. The historic versions of classics such as Legos, board games, Slinkys, and other toys are great fun.

Young and old enjoy a vist at Edinburgh's Museum of Childhood

The Museum of Childhood, Edinburgh is a place that brings back happy memories for many adults. Children love to hear a parent or grandparent share a story from childhood about a beloved toy. The joy of toys is priceless.

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The People's Story on the Canongate, part of Edinburgh's Royal Mile

The People’s Story is housed in what is probably the most important building in this region of Edinburgh; the Canongate Tolbooth. Also one of the most beautiful buildings along the Royal Mile, (and indeed the country), the Tolbooth was built in 1591 and has been, at varying times in history, a judicial center, a prison, and a place where taxes were collected for the burgh of Canongate.

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Edinburgh & Scotland’s History Is Told In The People’s Story

The People’s Story provides locals and tourists alike the opportunity to time-travel to various points in Scottish history. By engaging all the senses, including pictorial representation, audio tracks, and even smells and tastes coming from the kitchens, the People’s Story seems to actually transport you into the Scottish past. When entering the museum, a twenty minute video sets the mood and gears you for an afternoon of learning and fun. The main exhibits include a pub where you can feel the camaraderie in the air, an old fashioned tea room, a town square full of shouting political dissidents, a prison cell which shows just how miserable being locked up in the past would have been, and a dungeon where one could imagine even despair dying.

The People's Story is hard to miss on Edinburgh's Canongate!

The People’s Story Edinburgh is open Monday through Saturday, and also a handful of Sundays in August. The Royal Mile is one of the oldest and well-known streets in Edinburgh, and the Tolbooth looms large, so it will be easy to find. There is no admission. What better way to spend a present afternoon than by engaging the past? You won’t be sorry you did.

[Image credit: Peter Nijenhuis]

The modern extension to Edinburgh's National Museum of Scotland

The unique design is a literal walk through Scottish history. Ancient artefacts, beginning in the basement level, gradually give way to displays that take you on a journey over the ages. It’s intricate array of inter-locking levels allow you to slowly ponder the advancements of geology, archaeology, natural history, science, technology and art. The top level maintains collections of all that is considered modern Scottish history.

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Proudly displaying exhibitions behind a gorgeous Victorian front building, the National Museum of Scotland dates back to 1854, when parliament authorized funds for a museum in Edinburgh. Prince Albert laid the first foundation stone in 1861 and construction was complete in 1888. Up to that point, everything had been housed at the University of Edinburgh and the items now had an attractive, permanent home.

Edinburgh’s National Museum Of Scotland Has Something For Everyone

There is something to interest everyone at the National Museum of Scotland. It would take days for the average person to view the vast number of exhibitions in any detail. It is also home to the wonderful Cafe Delos, which serves contemporary Scottish cuisine in a comfortable, casual atmosphere. If your tastes are more to the liking of delicious home-made soups, sandwiches and cakes, Soupson might be a better choice.

The National Museum of Scotland's roof terrace also boasts a great view of Edinburgh Castle!

The remarkable view of the city and Edinburgh Castle from the roof terrace has made the National Museum of Scotland a must in dining experience. Rightly considered a national treasure, the National Museum of Scotland brings the importance of Scottish history to the world, while offering the world to its proud citizenry.