Royal Scottish Academy

Located on the cusp of Edinburgh’s New Town, the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA) is run by the Scottish National Galleries and is linked to the neighboring National Gallery of Scotland via an underground mall. Primarily used to host large-scale temporary exhibitions, the RSA is the country’s largest space devoted to contemporary Scottish art and is dedicated to breaking new talent as well as supporting the country’s long-standing art scene.

Housed in a grand Grecian building at the foot of The Mound, the Royal Scottish Academy is most memorable for its Doric-style pillared façade, the early 19th-century creation of architect William Playfair, and its crowning statue of Queen Victoria by John Steell. Along with its varied program of art exhibits, workshops and events, the gallery also hosts a number of renowned annual events. Most notable is the RSA Annual Exhibition, which takes over the gallery in May or June each year for a gigantic themed showcase of contemporary paintings, sculptures, photography, installation art, prints and film, featuring artists from all around Scotland.