Dovecot Studios
Dovecot Studios
4.5
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 - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Dovecot is a world-renowned tapestry studio in the heart of Edinburgh and a landmark centre for contemporary art, craft, and design. Established in 1912, Dovecot continues a century-long heritage of collaboration with international artists to make exceptional and engaging works of art. Come visit our Tapestry Studio Viewing Balcony to see our weavers at work, and explore our exhibitions which delve into contemporary craft, art, and design. Don't miss Dovecot Shop for the best in contemporary Scottish design, and Dovecot Studios Cafe for fresh-brewed coffee, tempting cakes, warming soups and delicious salads and sandwiches. All ingredients are sourced locally with gluten-free and vegan options available.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.5
71 reviews
Excellent
58
Very good
12
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
1
marianne s
St. Albans, UK35 contributions
May 2022
Tell people before they pay that the viewing gallery that we have come to see is closed today for an event.
Provide toilet paper in the toilet.
Provide an uptodate leaflet on what is available not one from last month.
Tell people before they pay that the cafe is closed for two weeks.
Try to look as though you welcome visitors rather than gazing at your computers all the time .
Provide toilet paper in the toilet.
Provide an uptodate leaflet on what is available not one from last month.
Tell people before they pay that the cafe is closed for two weeks.
Try to look as though you welcome visitors rather than gazing at your computers all the time .
Written 21 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.
FarAway556135
1 contribution
Feb 2020 • Friends
Excellent venue. A well presented exhibition of the works and history of May Morris. Watching the weavers in the studio from the balcony of this redeveloped swimming pool was also of interest. There is also a good cafe serving fresh food and small shop.
Written 29 February 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.
Scottish Lass
Linlithgow, UK2 contributions
Jan 2020
Recently visited with my husband for the May Morris exhibition. He used to swim there as a child years ago and it brought back a lot of memories. This is now a charming exhibition space and venue - one of my absolute favourites in Edinburgh.
My husband was a little disappointed that we couldnt get in to the cafe as it was so busy - I visited a few weeks ago with friends and thoroughly enjoyed it so he wanted to try for himself! It's just another excuse to come back once the tapestry gallery is back open!
My husband was a little disappointed that we couldnt get in to the cafe as it was so busy - I visited a few weeks ago with friends and thoroughly enjoyed it so he wanted to try for himself! It's just another excuse to come back once the tapestry gallery is back open!
Written 26 January 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.
We love hearing visitor's memories of when the tapestry studio was a swimming pool, thank you for sharing! We are sorry to hear that the cafe by The Pantry was a bit too busy when you were here, but as you note, it makes for another excuse to visit!
Written 28 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mairead B
1 contribution
Aug 2021
First visit on 20th August 2021 but will definitely be back. I have never had a nicer welcome to an Edinburgh gallery or attraction. Unprompted the young man greeted us, explained the set up of the exhibitions, advised where the toilets were and suggested the order we should walk round.
We had booked for the Brennan exhibition which was well laid out and interesting. The upper floor is a beautiful space where you can watch the weavers at work.
Pinks cafe gave us beautiful and reasonably priced food and again the staff were welcoming and helpful.
We had booked for the Brennan exhibition which was well laid out and interesting. The upper floor is a beautiful space where you can watch the weavers at work.
Pinks cafe gave us beautiful and reasonably priced food and again the staff were welcoming and helpful.
Written 21 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.
vessi80
North Lanarkshire, UK1,213 contributions
Sept 2022
Housed in the old Infirmary Street Victorian Baths for about 14 years , history totally weaves through these studios. Dovecot are renowned worldwide and special pieces can be found in the Writers Museum and National Museum of Scotland .
The Alan Davie exhibition had this stunning setting to show off his Celtic Spirit 11 and Cosmic Spiral Tapestry designs. There was also plenty of vibrant artwork layered on black background with reptilian coils to charm you.
The Raphael exhibition was a pure' dolce vita' of digital design and totally 'transfigured' my rudimentary Raphael knowledge. Finally you face the Dovecot tribute, a truly modern take on the' Draught of the Fishes'- what a catch !
XXL thanks to Maeve at the desk for her help and info about the viewing gallery and future events.
Maeve also led me to see the wonderful tapestry 'lengths' in the cafe.
The Alan Davie exhibition had this stunning setting to show off his Celtic Spirit 11 and Cosmic Spiral Tapestry designs. There was also plenty of vibrant artwork layered on black background with reptilian coils to charm you.
The Raphael exhibition was a pure' dolce vita' of digital design and totally 'transfigured' my rudimentary Raphael knowledge. Finally you face the Dovecot tribute, a truly modern take on the' Draught of the Fishes'- what a catch !
XXL thanks to Maeve at the desk for her help and info about the viewing gallery and future events.
Maeve also led me to see the wonderful tapestry 'lengths' in the cafe.
Written 23 September 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.
vessi80
North Lanarkshire, UK1,213 contributions
Sept 2024 • Solo
Ofili's wondrous watercolour inspired a grand tapestry. This exhibition perfectly captures the master weavers and artist's contribution. For visitors, three years of creative process is engineered into a smooth ,first class short haul flight. Entertainment courtesy of film, images, textiles and bobbins !
Safely nested in front of the 'Caged Bird's Song', the imagination flies free. No magic carpet needed.
Safely nested in front of the 'Caged Bird's Song', the imagination flies free. No magic carpet needed.
Written 15 September 2024
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.
Rosie B
Edinburgh, UK17 contributions
Aug 2020
First visit since re opening and went to see the Conran to Quant Fashion exhibition. Well laid out, helpful and friendly staff explaining new systems, toilets and cafe open as well as Dazzle Jewellery exhibition. Book ahead for Conran but felt very safe with 1 way system and plenty sanitiser. Go- support them!
Written 27 August 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.
Thank you for visit Rosie! We're so glad to hear you had a safe and enjoyable experience at Dovecot Studios. We'll be sure to pass on your wonderful feedback to our staff, and look forward to your next visit.
Written 28 August 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
A206DWmichaelb
83 contributions
Jan 2020
Charming gallery with fascinating workshops and exhibits. Went with my nephew and his wife to see the May Morris exhibition. The exhibition was stunning. The gentleman at reception was very welcoming and friendly. We enjoyed seeing the workshops as well. A lovely way to spend a morning. Stunning conversion and light filled space.
Written 24 January 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.
We are delighted that you enjoyed your visit to Dovecot Studios including our May Morris exhibition! Thank you for taking the time to write a review, and hopefully we'll have the chance to welcome you again soon.
Written 27 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
rockNrobin84
Beersheva, Israel77 contributions
Jun 2022
A wonderful find. It was fabulous watching the weavers work. They have a free viewing gallery from 12-3 p.m. that you can observe weavers at work. They also have different kinds of weavers which was very interesting.
Written 25 June 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.
Chris L
London, UK471 contributions
Dec 2019
Dovecot Studios is housed in a former Victorian swimming baths. It is wirth going to see a lovely conversion and an exciting space. The viewing gallery over the tapestry production space gives a fascinating insight into how the tapestries are produced. It also . Really enjoyed the morning. Only downside was that the cafe was full so we couldn't eat the interesting things on offercontained a very interesting exhibition on the Scottish and Irish linen industries. We also saw the May Morris exhibition which was informative and had some beautiful and varied exhibits. the only downside was that the cafe was full so we couldn't try the intersesting menu! A very good morning.
Written 17 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.
Hi Chris, thank you for visiting Dovecot, and we are delighted you enjoyed your visit and our temporary exhibitions. We are sorry to hear that the cafe was full during your visit, it is a really popular spot and we hope you have the chance to visit another time!
Written 6 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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