Royal Scottish Academy
Royal Scottish Academy
4
Points of Interest & LandmarksArchitectural BuildingsArt Museums
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
Formed in 1826, The Royal Scottish Academy of Art & Architecture has a proud tradition of promoting excellence in contemporary art in Scotland. Led by eminent artists and architects the Academy has re-established itself as a leading organisation for the visual arts in Scotland, and has successfully garnered a reputation for the strength of its engaging and diverse exhibitions and the fantastic opportunities it offers both established and emerging artists.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Old Town
Few Edinburghers live in the Old Town, but its labyrinth of dank alleys and steep streets suggests this was not always the case. Today, it’s mostly visitors, tartan-flavoured souvenir shops, and pipers that you’ll find on its cobbled streets. This is the place to get a feel for Auld Reekie (Old Smelly), as the town was once nicknamed, and stroll the Royal Mile, the thoroughfare that links the castle with the royal palace – two of Edinburgh’s great set-piece attractions. But there’s lots more exploring to do here down dozens of little alleys, or wynds, while at night the city’s busiest clubs erupt along the Cowgate which is closed to traffic for this purpose.
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4.0
82 reviews
Excellent
40
Very good
23
Average
12
Poor
3
Terrible
4
Gordon B
Gateshead, UK47 contributions
Jul 2023
Visited this building on the Opening day of the Grayson Perry exhibition. To be confronted by utter confusion.
Firstly the entrance is at the rear if you have someone in a wheelchair, and you are presented with a circular glass lift and a guide/security of sorts who tried to explain things to us, with utter confusion. in amonst an area that looks like a tool dumping ground of a building site.
It appears that ticket sales for the exhibition which you have to pay for in this free entry building, are available at the front of the building if you want to pay cash on the day, but there is no disabled access. Or you can use the automated card machines on the third floor. Technology I struggle with due to my own disabilities.
Were told there is no access through the building, so I would have had to leave my Wife there, exit the building and go around to purchase tickets, and come back.
But you can use the lift to gain access to the basement where the shop is, what a supprise, and the toilets on the next level up.
Apparently there is an underground link to the National Galleries of Scotland, but this was closed our security/guide informed us, due to major expansion works. I guess they are digging a bigger tunnel.
So whilst we were not alone in the confusion stakes, other people were looking for a way through the building as well, we never ventured further than the shop.
This is the second time we have tried to access this building, the last time in 2022 was via Princes' Street Gardens and the lift was out of order awaiting parts. We only found that out when we trailed trough the basement to get to it.
I guess one day we may get in, but by experience so far I guess the Purple Pound, is not welcome, or at least not worth of the bother.
Firstly the entrance is at the rear if you have someone in a wheelchair, and you are presented with a circular glass lift and a guide/security of sorts who tried to explain things to us, with utter confusion. in amonst an area that looks like a tool dumping ground of a building site.
It appears that ticket sales for the exhibition which you have to pay for in this free entry building, are available at the front of the building if you want to pay cash on the day, but there is no disabled access. Or you can use the automated card machines on the third floor. Technology I struggle with due to my own disabilities.
Were told there is no access through the building, so I would have had to leave my Wife there, exit the building and go around to purchase tickets, and come back.
But you can use the lift to gain access to the basement where the shop is, what a supprise, and the toilets on the next level up.
Apparently there is an underground link to the National Galleries of Scotland, but this was closed our security/guide informed us, due to major expansion works. I guess they are digging a bigger tunnel.
So whilst we were not alone in the confusion stakes, other people were looking for a way through the building as well, we never ventured further than the shop.
This is the second time we have tried to access this building, the last time in 2022 was via Princes' Street Gardens and the lift was out of order awaiting parts. We only found that out when we trailed trough the basement to get to it.
I guess one day we may get in, but by experience so far I guess the Purple Pound, is not welcome, or at least not worth of the bother.
Written 2 August 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.
KodoDrummer
Buenos Aires, Argentina70,616 contributions
Nov 2019
Nice modern and contemporary art exhibition. Spectacular architecture of the Greek-style building. Beautiful historical pieces.
Written 13 May 2020
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.
🥳 🎉 🥳 Keep Life Simple 🥳🎉🥳
Pittsburgh, PA127,424 contributions
Sept 2018 • Couples
This is a good place for a rainy day. We spend 2 hours while it rained and learned alot about art, well worth seeing.
Written 9 October 2018
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.
Nicole B
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom140 contributions
Jan 2014 • Solo
I visited the RSA exhibition at the Mound in January 2014. Paintings by RSA members were beautifully presented and available for sale. I thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon viewing the high standard of work shared by local artists. The highlight for me was the room dedicated to architectural design in Scotland. The information about the V&A planned for Dundee as well as the proposed plans for the Forth Rail Bridge were clearly explained and very exciting. I can''t wait to see the completed projects!
Written 9 February 2014
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.
Polar6565
Hayfield, UK120 contributions
Nov 2019
I expect that the luvy's will think that this place is fantastic, but I just don't get it at all.
£20 odd grand for a load of old scrap iron on the floor ?
£60 for a bit of fluff ?
I'm not daft and I know some of this "exhibition" is designed to provoke reaction, but a lot of the stuff in here is just tat looking for a mug to buy it.
It's free and kills an hour out of the rain, but there are far better things to do with your time in this fabulous city.
£20 odd grand for a load of old scrap iron on the floor ?
£60 for a bit of fluff ?
I'm not daft and I know some of this "exhibition" is designed to provoke reaction, but a lot of the stuff in here is just tat looking for a mug to buy it.
It's free and kills an hour out of the rain, but there are far better things to do with your time in this fabulous city.
Written 17 November 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.
Music Man
Hummelstown, PA11 contributions
Oct 2019
I thought there would be3 lots more to see. It is easy to get there--right off Princes St.-the main street of town
Written 18 October 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.
observer2011
Leeds, UK548 contributions
Jul 2017 • Solo
Went in the RSA to see the special Caravaggio & Beyond exhibition. As a fan of the great artist and his like this was well worth the admission. Even better it was a chance to see inside this fabulous doric style building which despite its age is perfectly designed internally for the purpose. Note - Of the 2 classical buildings on the Mound the RSA is the one nearest to Princes St, usually it's the excellent National Gallery of Scotland behind it that most people visit.
Written 6 August 2017
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.
Alpinestroller
Edinburgh, UK90 contributions
Feb 2015 • Friends
The gallery has a number of exhibitions on throughout the year. The RSA is a quiet haven when visiting the city. It is good to get away from the crowds for an hour or two. Although children might not fully appreciate the art, but at least the parents should the quiet atmosphere.
Written 5 March 2015
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.
ihammie
Montrose, UK197 contributions
Aug 2014 • Friends
If this Exhibition of Scottish Contemporary Art is to showcase what Scotland can offer in creativity and artistic ability then it is a poor reflection on what was always a Country of high artistic ability. Sad, is to be polite about the quality of art work on show, if you like slightly stained looking material strung across the entrance or a collection of neon tubes with a few metal grills and askew litter bins then you will rave about this, even the best known of the artists had fairly poor offering unless you like bad drawing and poor painting. Harsh maybe, but come on whoever decided to select this for the Edinburgh festival period is surely out of touch with what Art is supposed to mean. Or is it that they are all to scared to say RUBBISH!!! and put on a show of ability, creative insight and work that makes us admire the skills, stimulate both senses and intellect.
Written 9 August 2014
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.
ENickinA2
Ann Arbor, MI50 contributions
Jul 2014 • Solo
After a brisk viewing of the the national gallery, I was pleased to see that the royal academy -- featuring modern and sometimes Edinburgh-based artists. At the time of my entry, admission to both galleries/academies were free (donation requested).
The more modern Royal Academy - - thought smaller and containing less of the showpiece quality in the National Gallery - - featured thought-provoking and impressive work and installations. Well worth the visit (July 2014); highly recommended.
The more modern Royal Academy - - thought smaller and containing less of the showpiece quality in the National Gallery - - featured thought-provoking and impressive work and installations. Well worth the visit (July 2014); highly recommended.
Written 8 July 2014
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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