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Dovecot Studios

DesignArtClosed · Opens 10amFreeEdinburgh Waverley (10 min walk)

Founded in 1912 by the 4th Marquess of Bute with weavers from William Morris's Merton Abbey workshops, Dovecot is the longest-running tapestry studio in the UK, collaborating with artists from Henry Moore to David Hockney. Since 2008 it has occupied the refurbished Infirmary Street Baths in Edinburgh's Old Town. A free viewing balcony overlooks the working studio, and three galleries host a changing programme of free and paid exhibitions of textiles, craft, design and art.

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Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

10 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh EH1 1LT, United Kingdom

Nearest station: Edinburgh Waverley (10 min walk), South Bridge bus stops (Lothian 3, 5, 7, 8, 14, 29, 30, 31, 33, 37, 47, 48, 49)

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Hours

Mon10:00–17:00
Tue10:00–17:00
Wed10:00–17:00
ThuToday10:00–17:00
Fri10:00–17:00
Sat10:00–17:00
SunClosed

Admission

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).

Nearby

Surgeons' Hall Museums

Architecture2 min walk

Talbot Rice Gallery

ArtFree2 min walk

Museum of Childhood

ChildrenFree3 min walk

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), 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 Costume Couture: Sixty Years of Cosprop, Bayeux on the Balcony, Elizabeth Blackadder: A Life in Colour.
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.

Mike Wilkinson (CC BY-SA 3.0)

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