Dovecot Studios

What's On

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Elizabeth Blackadder: A Life in Colour

Still lifes, botanical studies and prints by Elizabeth Blackadder alongside tapestries and rugs from her 50-year collaboration with Dovecot, incl. the new rug The Red Bouquet.

Now showing20 Jun – 14 NovFree

Costume Couture: Sixty Years of Cosprop

Costumes, accessories and sketches from London costume house Cosprop, founded by John Bright in 1965, from Pride and Prejudice, Downton Abbey and A Room with a View.

Now showing18 Jul – 16 Jan 2027£13.50

Bayeux on the Balcony

A full-size print of the Bayeux Tapestry unrolled across Dovecot's Balcony Gallery, the first time its full scale is shown in Scotland, with insight from the British Museum.

Upcoming21 Nov – 9 Apr 2027Free

Permanent Collections

Tapestry Studio Viewing Balcony

Watch Dovecot's weavers at work on handwoven tapestries and gun-tufted rugs in the UK's longest-running tapestry studio, founded 1912. Mon-Fri 12-3pm, Sat 10am-5pm.

Permanent collectionFree

Nearby

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Surgeons' Hall Museums

Architecture2 min walk

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Talbot Rice Gallery

ArtFree2 min walk

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Museum of Childhood

ChildrenFree3 min walk

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National Museum of Scotland

HistoryFree4 min walk

Visitor Information

Is Dovecot Studios free to visit?

Yes, general admission to Dovecot Studios is free. Entry, the studio viewing balcony and some exhibitions are free; paid exhibitions £13.50 (concessions £12, Art Fund/Young Scot £6.75, carers and ages 12 and under free).. Some special exhibitions may charge a separate ticket, so check the museum's website before visiting.

What are the opening hours of Dovecot Studios?

Dovecot Studios is open Galleries and shop Mon-Sat 10:00-17:00; closed Sunday. Tapestry Studio viewing balcony Mon-Fri 12:00-15:00, Sat 10:00-17:00 (balcony closed 24, 29, 31 Oct and 7, 11 Nov 2026). Café Mon-Fri 9:30-16:00, Sat 10:00-16:00.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.

Where is Dovecot Studios?

Dovecot Studios is located at 10 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh EH1 1LT, United Kingdom, in the Old Town area of Edinburgh. The nearest stations are Edinburgh Waverley (10 min walk) and South Bridge bus stops (Lothian 3, 5, 7, 8, 14, 29, 30, 31, 33, 37, 47, 48, 49).

What can I see at Dovecot Studios?

The UK's oldest tapestry studio, where you can watch master weavers at work from a balcony inside a Victorian bathhouse. Current highlights include Tapestry Studio Viewing Balcony, Bayeux on the Balcony and Costume Couture: Sixty Years of Cosprop.

Do I need to book Dovecot Studios in advance?

Dovecot Studios is free to enter and most days you can walk in. Entry, the studio viewing balcony and some exhibitions are free; paid exhibitions £13.50 (concessions £12, Art Fund/Young Scot £6.75, carers and ages 12 and under free).. For special exhibitions, weekends, and school holidays, booking a timed slot can help you skip queues. Check the museum's website for current requirements.

When is the best time to visit Dovecot Studios?

Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.