The building of the National Gallery of Scotland is imposing enough – a neoclassical behemoth sprawling on the Mound – but what's inside is the real treat. This is Scotland's most impressive art collection, and while it's not the equal in size of a Met or a Tate, there are plenty of gems up those stain-glass-lit stairs.
The collection ranges from the Renaissance to the 19th century, and there's a host of big-hitter names. You'll see work from Titian and Raphael, Rembrandt and Velasquez. In the 19th century section, feast your eyes on pieces by Van Gogh, Cezanne, Monet, Degas and Gaugin.
One of the most iconic and beloved works – and one often used as the gallery's hallmark – is The Reverend Robert Walker Skating on Duddingston Loch, or as it's most often referred to, The Skating Minister. This vision of clerical austerity on ice is indeed hard to resist.
There's also a dedicated space for temporary exhibitions and a host of visitor comforts, including a sleek café in which to rest your art-sore feet.
