Pier Arts Centre
Pier Arts Centre
4.5
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The Pier Arts Centre in Orkney was established in 1979 to provide a home for an important collection of British fine art donated by Margaret Gardiner (1904 - 2005). Alongside the permanent collection The Pier Arts Centre curates a year round programme of temporary exhibitions and events for the education and enjoyment of the general public.
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4.5
178 reviews
Excellent
123
Very good
34
Average
17
Poor
3
Terrible
1
Lindum20C
East Lothian, UK448 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
A really beautiful location (the photo on the left does it no justice) with three gallery spaces; one is the permanent collection and two guest collections. The permanent is great and one of the others was too, but I couldn't comprehend the third. Still a very worthwhile visit
Written 8 November 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.
drbg
Liverpool, UK356 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
The fabulous building has a glaring safety problem - it is set on a pier by a harbour. The edge of the pier is all round and has a fall of about 12 feet into water. No easy way back. And unbelievably no railing to prevent a mis step - so unsuitable for any public access. Should be closed off permanently until railings and life belts installed.
That said the gallery itself is lovely with Barbara Hepworth featuring and other modern artists
That said the gallery itself is lovely with Barbara Hepworth featuring and other modern artists
Written 19 October 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.
Djb
Belper, UK65 contributions
May 2023 • Solo
The gallery is located on the main narrow street within Stromness adjacent to the harbour. The townscape is an absolute credit to whoever in the council has created and maintained the conservation area. The street - accessible to vehicles - is beautifully paved in natural stone, and the original shop fronts are retained. The new buildings are also well designed. Someone deserves a real slap on the back. It’s an unexpected pleasure to be able to drive through.
The gallery has a very simple and understated facade but the bronze shopfront hints at the architectural quality within. Existing buildings have been beautifully converted to provide gallery spaces with a domestic scale, housing a permanent collection gifted to the island.
A visit to this street and this gallery was one of the highlights of my visit to Orkney.
The gallery has a very simple and understated facade but the bronze shopfront hints at the architectural quality within. Existing buildings have been beautifully converted to provide gallery spaces with a domestic scale, housing a permanent collection gifted to the island.
A visit to this street and this gallery was one of the highlights of my visit to Orkney.
Written 13 May 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.
Paul A
London, UK27 contributions
May 2023 • Solo
What a gem. Fantastic collection of 20th century (mostly) British artworks. Including 12-13 Barbara Hepworth pieces and a room full of Anish Kapoor. Very glad I visited, wish I'd allowed more time. The gallery itself is a brilliant space for the well curated collection, sitting on the dock of the harbour, with amazing views.
Written 4 May 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.
Susannah R
Ipswich, UK94 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
Excellent collection of Hepworths. Lovely gallery with a great collection of modern art and sculpture. Definitely worth a visit when you're in Stromness. Helpful friendly staff.
Written 28 April 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.
Pamela G
Glasgow, UK8 contributions
Aug 2022
Beautifully crafted space housing Margaret Gardner's collection of previously unseen, Hepworth , Nicholson , Ben and Winifred, Patrick Heron Alfred Wallis and Wilhelmina Barns Graham. I loved it !
Written 16 August 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.
David P
Pirnmill, UK7 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
Beautiful exhibition space with great views of the harbour. Visited a British Museum exhibition which was on tour. Great venue
Written 12 May 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.
susie5821
Okehampton, UK24 contributions
Sept 2021
A gem, a jewel in Stromness’s crown. Especially the exhibition around George Mackay Brown, son of Stromness. The Scottish Bestiary was fab.
Modern building flooded with light, warm welcome from the young lady on reception…and it’s free.
Allow plenty time, it’s gorgeous
Modern building flooded with light, warm welcome from the young lady on reception…and it’s free.
Allow plenty time, it’s gorgeous
Written 18 September 2021
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.
Merrowmum
Guildford, UK1,284 contributions
Aug 2021
What a gem of an arts centre in this lovely little town! A fascinating mixture of local and national works, including several pieces which I particularly liked by Barbara Hepworth. And it's free, amazingly!
Written 18 August 2021
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.
Margaret T
14 contributions
Sept 2019
You are welcomed by the Pier Arts shop, full of quality locally produced work, excellent books relevant to the Margaret Gardner Collection, current exhibitions and artists connected to Orkney and Pier Arts. The Collection is lovely and nicely displayed. Visiting exhibitions are top quality, well displayed and plenty information. Don't be put off thinking "Art" is not for you, the building itself and the view of the harbour from the seaside windows are worth a visit!
Written 10 December 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.
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Claim your listingPIER ARTS CENTRE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Pier Arts Centre
- Pier Arts Centre is open:
- Tue - Sat 10:30 - 17:00
- Hotels near Pier Arts Centre:
- (0.02 mi) Royal Hotel
- (0.03 mi) The Stromness Hotel
- (0.03 mi) Orca Hotel
- (0.09 mi) Ferry Inn Stromness
- (0.07 mi) No 15 Church Road
- Restaurants near Pier Arts Centre:
- (0.02 mi) Pier Bistro And Takeaway
- (0.02 mi) Argo's Bakery
- (0.02 mi) Royal Hotel
- (0.09 mi) Ferry Inn
- (0.11 mi) Julia's Cafe