Arts and Culture in Scotland

Scotland is enjoying a very special year which celebrates the nation's cultural vibrancy.

 

The country has roused imagination, encouraged invention and inspired creation for generations. 2012 is the year in which Scotland celebrates artistic virtuoso, recall artistic figures of the past and discover the dazzling, rising stars of the future.

 

The Year of Creative Scotland 2012 features an incredible jam-packed programme of events taking place throughout the year in every nook and cranny of Scotland, some bigger and better than before and some altogether brand new, but all designed to tease out your inner creativity. Begin planning your trip and search for events in Scotland.

 

Across Scotland, you'll be treated to glimpses of a dramatic past and passionate culture in city castles and rural battlegrounds, and be me met with a thriving, contemporary art scene in both the big cities and picturesque fishing villages and island studios.

 

Wherever you step foot, you'll be surprised by secret tales, both past and present.

 

• Be inspired by Year of Creative Scotland 2012

  

  Experience Scotland’s fantastic culture and creativity with events across the country during the Year of Creative Scotland 2012.

• Be part of Scotland’s national portrait

  

  Edinburgh is bursting with cultural attractions and this winter sees the long-awaited reopening of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

• Contemporary art outdoors

  

  Contemporary art installations outdoors at Jupiter Artland in the grounds of Bonnington House, outside Edinburgh.

• Discover Scottish artists and their work

  

  Discover the iconic paintings and work of some of Scotland’s best-loved artists.

• Edinburgh International Film Festival

  

  Experience the Edinburgh International Film Festival this summer and rub shoulders with the stars at the European premiere of Disney Pixar's Brave.

• Enjoy Scotland’s amazing architecture

  

  Explore Scotland’s rich architecture and be inspired and surprised by its diversity.

• Explore Scotland’s Royal Connections

  

  Scotland has many royal connections to explore including castles, palaces and galleries.

• Fantastic open-air theatre in Scotland

  

  Discover wonderful open-air theatre performances against the stunning backdrop of Scotland’s stately homes and castles.

• Intriguing galleries and museums across Scotland

  

  Explore the many intriguing art galleries and fascinating museum exhibits on display across Scotland.

• Magnificent May festivals

  

  Discover brilliant arts festivals across Scotland this May, from Dumfries and Galloway and Perth to Shakespeare in the Borders.

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• Drum Castle

  Aberdeen City & Shire

  Watch open-air theatre against the dramatic backdrop of Drum Castle.

  Read more 57.095209 -2.337885

• Riverside Museum

  Glasgow & The Clyde Valley

  The brand new Riverside Museum on the banks of the River Clyde, is at the heart of the Glasgow Harbour development and has an extensive transport display.

  Read more 55.865468 -4.306415

• Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum

  Glasgow & The Clyde Valley

  Boasting 22 state-of-the-art themed galleries housing around 8000 objects, including a wide-ranging collection of paintings, natural history, armour - and even a real Spitfire!

  Read more 55.8688661 -4.290733

• Gallery of Modern Art

  Glasgow & The Clyde Valley

  Visit the most visited modern art gallery in Scotland to see fascinating art displays.

  Read more 55.8604415 -4.2523741

• Scotland Street School Museum

  Glasgow & The Clyde Valley

  Housed in a magnificent building that was built in 1905 by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, this museum was once a school but closed down in 1979. Presently it is a fascinating place to come to with the children where they can try on old cloaks, dunce caps and hats, and even write with quills!

  Read more 55.821007 -4.331931

• St Mungo Museum

  Glasgow & The Clyde Valley

  Explores the importance of religion in people's lives through art, artefacts and interactive displays.

  Read more 55.8623181 -4.2363931

• Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery

  Glasgow & The Clyde Valley

  From one of the most distinguished public art collections in Scotland to the dinosaur fossils collected at the beginning of the 1800s, there is much to see and do here.

  Read more 55.871253 -4.288586

• The Lighthouse

  Glasgow & The Clyde Valley

  See the permanent Mackintosh Interpretation Centre which leads to the foot of the helical staircase within the Mackintosh tower. If you climb the Mack Tower you can enjoy some amazing views out across the city.

  Read more 55.859988 -4.255228

• Scottish National Portrait Gallery

  Edinburgh & The Lothians

  Unveiled on 1 December, be one of the first to visit the gallery after a major renovation project.

  Read more 55.955145 -3.193371

• National Gallery of Modern Art

  Edinburgh & The Lothians

  Stroll along the Water of Leith and you'll find not one, but two, modern art galleries in the National Gallery of Modern Art complex

  Read more 55.9510406 -3.2252758

• City Art Centre

  Edinburgh & The Lothians

  Take a journey through Scottish Arts as you ascend, or descend, the six floors of the City Art Centre.

  Read more 55.9509445 -3.1901691

• National Museum of Scotland

  Edinburgh & The Lothians

  Explore 16 new exhibition galleries at the newly reopened National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.

  Read more 55.947151 -3.190929

• Year of Creative

  The Highlands

  Sing along with some of your favourite bands at this exciting event.

  57.17869175976932 -4.64447021484375

• RockNess

  The Highlands

  Sing along with some of your favourite bands at this exciting event.

  Read more 57.17869175976932 -4.64447021484375

• T in the Park

  Perthshire

  Come and enjoy Scotland's leading music festival in Balado, Kinross

  Read more 56.205479 -3.466462

• Scott Monument

  Edinburgh & The Lothians

  A stunning memorial to one of Scotland’s greatest literary figures, Sir Walter Scott

  Read more 55.952324 3.193374

• The Elephant House

  Edinburgh & The Lothians

  Edinburgh’s leading gourmet tea and coffee house and an inspiration for writers and artists.

  Read more 55.947449 -3.191695

• Jacobite Steam train

  The Highlands

  Described as one of the Great Railway Journeys of the World you too can enjoy some of the most breathtaking and beautiful scenery in Scotland.

  Read more 56.78494 -5.329381

• Robert Burns Birthplace Museum

  Ayrshire & Arran

  Original manuscripts of Robert Burns' greatest works and historic artefacts are being displayed in a stunning new setting.

  Read more 55.429792686916 -4.632110595703125

• Skara Brae

  Orkney

  Make sure you pop into the visitor centre to see the touchscreen presentations and artefacts discovered during archaeological excavations in the 1970s.

  Read more 59.0490342 -3.3399376

• The Pineapple

  Argyll, the Isles. Loch Lomond, Stirling & the Trossachs

  The building is located one mile west of Airth and seven miles east of Stirling.

  Read more 56.075895 -3.788192

• Marischal College and Museum

  Aberdeen City & Shire

  Headquarters of Aberdeen City Council

  Read more 57.149741 -2.096239

• Edinburgh Castle

  Edinburgh & The Lothians

  See one of the world's oldest canons at Edinburgh Castle at over 550 years old, Mons Meg.

  Read more 55.948627 -3.200336

• Scottish Parliament Building

  Edinburgh & The Lothians

  The distinctive design of the office windows of MSPs is said to have been inspired by Henry Raeburn's iconic painting of The Skating Minister.

  Read more 55.95256380602793 -3.1746840476989746

• The Lighthouse

  Glasgow & The Clyde Valley

  Discover this centre for architecture and design and climb the helical staircase for fantastic views over the city.

  Read more 55.8600437 -4.2552669

• Scottish National Gallery

  Edinburgh & The Lothians

  The National Galleries of Scotland look after one of the world's finest collections of Western art ranging from the Middle Ages to the present day.

  Read more 55.95078 -3.196223

• Glasgow School of Art

  Glasgow & The Clyde Valley

  The Glasgow School of Art is considered to be Mackintosh’s masterwork and it is one of the oldest creative institutions in the country.

  Read more 55.8656 -4.25784

• The Lighthouse

  Glasgow & The Clyde Valley

  Discover this centre for architecture and design and climb the helical staircase for fantastic views over the city.

  Read more 55.8600437 -4.2552669

• Scottish National Portrait Gallery

  Edinburgh & The Lothians

  Re-opened following a multi-million pound refurbishment, this flagship portrait gallery includes a fascinating collection of portraiture from across the ages

  Read more 55.955145 -3.193371

• Fruitmarket Gallery

  Edinburgh & The Lothians

  Be challenged by world-class and thought-provoking art, then discuss all in the Gallery Café.

  Read more 55.9512607 -3.1899866

• Collective Gallery

  Edinburgh & The Lothians

  The Collective Gallery focuses on the visual arts through a range of exhibitions, projects and commissions.

  Read more 55.950223 -3.185445

• Stills Gallery

  Edinburgh & The Lothians

  Stills is the first gallery to specialise in contemporary photography.

  Read more 55.950736 -3.190259

• Finsbay Gallery

  Outer Hebrides

  Find contemporary art in this traditional, secluded cottage gallery.

  Read more 57.7763437 -6.9134242

• Barra Heritage and Cultural Centre

  Outer Hebrides

  Why not relax and refuel at the Heritage Café which serves up delectable home baking?

  Read more 56.9550589 -7.4883146

• Museum of Scottish Lighthouses

  The Highlands

  You can view a collection of glass lenses and lighting technology dating back to when the lighthouse was first manned and then climb up the 74 steps to the top of the lighthouse (open from Easter to October).

  Read more 57.697207 -2.004298

• Shetland Museum and Archive

  Shetland

  Understand how Shetland has developed over the years and enjoy looking at the numerous artefacts and displays at the Shetland Museum.

  Read more 60.157866 -1.150175

• Pier Arts Centre

  Orkney

  The inspirational Pier Arts Centre in Stromness houses unique Orcadian artistic treasures in one of the most striking buildings in the north of Scotland.

  Read more 58.96308 -3.298249

• Fisher Studio and Gallery

  The Kingdom of Fife

  The Fisher Gallery shows work by a wide range of contemporary painters and applied artists, most of whom work in Scotland.

  Read more 56.2134759 -2.729556

• Crail Pottery

  The Kingdom of Fife

  Small family run coastal pottery set around a beautiful courtyard.

  Read more 56.2596518 -2.6254454

• The Modern Institute

  Glasgow & The Clyde Valley

  Housed within an unassuming tenement block, this gallery is the original hidden gem and one of the most talked about in Glasgow.

  Read more 55.8559948 -4.2460482

• Tron

  Glasgow & The Clyde Valley

  Housed within in a former Edwardian warehouse, this is more than a gallery but an arts resource for the city.

  Read more 55.856951 -4.2468385

• Centre for Contemporary Arts

  Glasgow & The Clyde Valley

  The Centre for Contemporary Arts curates six major exhibitions a year, showing a range of Scottish and international art.

  Read more 55.8660329 -4.2661907

• The Palace of Holyroodhouse

  Edinburgh & The Lothians

  Discover royal surprises in the official residence in Scotland of Her Majesty The Queen. The palace stands at the end of Edinburgh's Royal Mile against the spectacular backdrop of Arthur's Seat.

  Read more 55.9527971 -3.1723164

• Royal Deeside

  Aberdeen City & Shire

  Explore a host of Royal sights in Royal Deeside, including Balmoral.

  Read more 57.037336 -3.222321

• Royal Yacht Britannia

  Edinburgh & The Lothians

  Follow in the footsteps of Rajiv Gandhi and Winston Churchill as you explore the decks and luxurious cabins of this stunning vessel that has sailed the world.

  Read more 55.9800594 -3.1796685

• Balmoral Castle

  Aberdeen City & Shire

  Originally a 16th century tower house built for the powerful Gordon family, Balmoral was converted into a Scottish Baronial mansion in 1852. The Royal Family traditionally spend their summer holidays here.

  Read more 57.0373362 -3.2223207

• Rosslyn Chapel

  Edinburgh & The Lothians

  The 15th century Rosslyn Chapel where you can enjoy a tour of this fascinating site.

  Read more 55.855376 -3.159876

• Royal Concert Hall

  Glasgow & The Clyde Valley

  The Hall was proclaimed to be "Glasgow's Hall for Glasgow's people" by the Lord Provost when it opened in 1990 – this has continued to be true ever since, as it welcomes both locals and visitors from all around the world.

  Read more 55.8645992 -4.2530397

• Old Fruitmarket

  Glasgow & The Clyde Valley

  Read more 55.85893 -4.245185

• Playhouse

  Edinburgh & The Lothians

  Read more 55.953252 -3.188267

• Usher Hall

  Edinburgh & The Lothians

  Edinburgh’s flagship concert hall was refurbished in 2009/10

  Read more 55.94709 -3.2058

• Queen’s Hall

  Edinburgh & The Lothians

  Read more 55.94162 -3.18173

• His Majesty’s Theatre

  Aberdeen City & Shire

  Originally opened in 1906, His Majesty's Theatre is the largest theatre in north-east Scotland, and is regularly visited by top rated Scottish and national arts companies.

  Read more 57.148154 -2.1049441

• Music Hall

  Aberdeen City & Shire

  There is regular performances here by all the main classical orchestras across Scotland, as well as a variety of pop and rock concerts.

  Read more 57.145207 -2.1056959

• Lemon Tree

  Aberdeen City & Shire

  The Lemon Tree’s lively programme of music, theatre, dance, literature and comedy, has made it something of a local institution and sees visitors and local people alike returning again and again.

  Read more 57.1497608 -2.0951313

• Robert Burns Birthplace Museum

  Ayrshire & Arran

  Original manuscripts of Robert Burns' greatest works and historic artefacts are being displayed in a stunning new setting.

  Read more 55.429792686916 -4.632110595703125

• Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

  Glasgow & The Clyde Valley

  The art gallery and museum boasts an extraordinary range of objects.

  Read more 55.8684129 -4.2905449

• Riverside Museum

  Glasgow & The Clyde Valley

  Visit the new home of Glasgow's Transport Museum and enjoy a collection of national and international importance.

  Read more 55.86042943329119 -4.293465614318848

• National Museum of Scotland

  Edinburgh & The Lothians

  Explore 16 new exhibition galleries at the newly reopened National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.

  Read more 55.947151 -3.190929

• Museum of Flight

  Edinburgh & The Lothians

  Follow the story of flight from bi-planes to Concorde and enjoy the atmosphere at East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian.

  Read more 55.9952261 -2.7234504

• Scottish National Portrait Gallery

  Edinburgh & The Lothians

  The Scottish National Portrait Gallery houses intriguing images of famous Scots, including Mary, Queen of Scots, JM Barrie and Billy Connolly.

  Read more 55.955145 -3.193371

• Crathes Castle

  Aberdeen City & Shire

  Crathes Castle was built over a 43 year period from 1553 – 96 by the Burnett family.

  Read more 57.0629224 -2.4412158

• Pitmedden Gardens

  Aberdeen City & Shire

  Admire thousands of colourful annual bedding plants at Pitmedden Garden.

  Read more 57.3446625 -2.1899423

• Perth

  Perthshire

  Enjoy a huge array of Arts and Culture events in the beautiful Perthshire.

  Read more 56.394994 -3.430838

• Dumfries & Galloway

  Dumfries & Galloway

  Dumfries & Galloway has always attracted creative people to the region and it is home to Scotland's Artists' Town, Kirkcudbright.

  Read more 55.070859 -3.60512

• Traquair House

  Scottish Borders

  Traquair House is Scotland’s oldest inhabited residence and is home to a traditional brewery that dates back to the 18th century.

  Read more 55.548857 -2.786139

• Duncan of Jordanstone

  Angus & Dundee

  One of the most creative outlets for design and arts students in Scotland

  Read more 56.456266 2.982783

• Jupiter Artland

  Edinburgh & The Lothians

  Read more 55.906981 -3.423529

• Fruitmarket Gallery

  Edinburgh & The Lothians

  This used to be a Victorian fruit and vegetable market and is now one of the leading exhibition spaces for contemporary art in Edinburgh. Here you will find emerging and established Scottish artists placed in an international context. There are also talks and workshops, screenings of short films, and a busy café.

  Read more 55.95121 -3.18947

• Dovecot Studios

  Edinburgh & The Lothians

  Celebrating its centenary in 2012, Dovecot Studios is one of the world’s leading contemporary tapestry studios located in Edinburgh's old town.

  Read more 55.948098 -3.185278

• Laurel Gallery

  Edinburgh & The Lothians

  Opened in 2008 in Edinburgh's leafy Stockbridge, the Laurel Gallery is a small, informal gallery specialising in original contemporary Scottish art. The gallery boasts an eclectic and exciting range from paintings, limited edition giclee prints, sculpture and ceramics to hand-made jewellery.

  Read more 55.957963 -3.206655

• Festival Theatre

  Edinburgh & The Lothians

  The Festival Theatre Edinburgh hosts an all year round programme of music, dance, comedy, ballet, family shows, opera and musicals. It will host the opening night gala and UK premiere of 'Killer Joe' on Wednesday 20 June 2012.

  Read more 55.94665 -3.186322