Dovecot Studios
About
Dovecot Studios is one of the world's few remaining tapestry studios, operating from a beautifully converted Victorian swimming baths in the heart of Edinburgh. The main gallery space — the old pool hall with its soaring ceiling and tiled walls — is a stunning setting for exhibitions that span contemporary art, craft, and design. You can watch tapestry weavers at work on the gallery floor — they create monumental pieces that take months or years to complete, often collaborating with major contemporary artists. The process is mesmerising and the skill involved is extraordinary. The permanent collection includes tapestries spanning decades, and the temporary exhibitions are consistently excellent and surprising. The shop is beautifully curated — textiles, ceramics, jewellery, and prints by Scottish makers. It's a quiet, unhurried space that most tourists walk right past, making it a perfect refuge on a busy Edinburgh day. Free to enter, though some exhibitions are ticketed. Combine with a walk to the nearby Grassmarket.
https://dovecotstudios.com/ 0131 550 3660
Tickets & Pricing
Free entry. Some exhibitions ticketed (typically £5-£8).
Opening Times
Mon-Sat 10:30-17:30. Closed Sundays.
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