From paintings to sculptures, take a tour round Edinburgh and you’ll find an array of public art.
Edinburgh is home to an incredible variety of art galleries – from the grand National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait on Queen Street to the intimate Scottish Gallery on Dundas Street. But take a look around the city’s streets and you’ll also find a wealth of public art, both by up-and-coming and world-renowned artists.
From Colinton to Leith, here’s our guide to the art works that are worth keeping an eye open for the next time you’re out and about in the city.
Paddington Visits
Watching the world go by while enjoying a marmalade sandwich.
Part of a trail of Paddington Bear statues across the UK and Ireland celebrating the 2024 release of Paddington in Peru, you’ll find the marmalade loving bear in St Andrew Square.
Sporting the wise bear’s signature red hat, blue duffle coat, and, naturally, a marmalade sandwich in paw, pop along for a seat and a selfie. The statue will be in situ until October 2025.
The Colinton Tunnel
Enjoying local art in a unique setting on the outskirts of Edinburgh. Keep going and you’ll reach the villages of Currie and Balerno
In what was once an old railway tunnel, artist Chris Rutterford has transformed the Colinton Tunnel into the biggest mural of its kind in Scotland.
Celebrating local history and heritage, this once dark and gloomy space is now bright and cheerful, with illustrations from Edinburgh author and poet, Robert Louis Stevenson’s From a Railway Carriage.
Leith History Mural
Discovering what life was like in Leith in days gone by.
For over 40 years, this large-scale mural has been a landmark in the bustling neighbourhood of Leith.
Painted in 1986 by Tim Chalk and Paul Grime, it depicts scenes of everyday life and important historic events from Leith’s past, including the dockyard strikes and the Leith Hospital Gala.
The Manuscript of Monte Cassino
Taking a moment to reflect on times gone by and appreciating the present.
Known locally as The Foot and The Hand, The Manuscript of Monte Cassino is composed of three enormous body parts – a foot, an ankle and a hand. Together, they form a poignant statement on the horror and destruction of war.
Created by Edinburgh-born artist Sir Eduardo Paolozzi (1924 to 2005), the work is thought to have been created as a reaction to his experience of growing up during World War II.
Widely considered as a pioneer of British Pop Art, if you want to explore more of Paolozzi’s work, don’t miss a trip to the National Galleries Scotland: Modern where you can see how this revolutionary artist worked in a reconstructed display of his studio.
Dreaming Spires
Capturing a soaring sculpture with your friends and family.
This photo op favourite, created by Midlothian born artist Helen Denerley, was unveiled in 2005.
The two giraffes, nicknamed Martha and Gilbert, are made from scrap metal including parts from cars and motorbikes. Surrounding the sculpture is a line from a poem by Roy Campbell, which reads “Giraffes! A People Who live between earth and skies. Each in his own religious steeple. Keeping a lighthouse with his eyes”.
Jump on a number 26 Lothian Bus and you’ll be able to see these beautiful creatures for yourself. Giraffes, Ronnie, Arrow, Gerald, Fennessy and Gilbert can be visited at Edinburgh Zoo.
The Lion of Scotland
Sitting on a sunny day with a book and a brew, or just relaxing while watching the world go by.
The mighty Lion of Scotland statue has been at his home in St Andrew Square Garden since 2010, although his former home was outside the Scottish Parliament.
This impressive sculpture was hand-carved by Scottish artist Ronald Rae. Carved out of pink Corrennie granite, it weighs a massive 20 tonnes.
Beachcomber
Challenging yourself to read the ornamented words to George MacKay Brown’s poem.
These beautifully detailed steel panels, which stretch across several windows, were installed as part of a scheme to regenerate Edinburgh’s Rose Street.
With a nautical theme, they are a celebration of the work of the Rose Street Poets who used to gather in the street’s pubs in the 1950s and 1960s. The panels take their name from the poem Beachcomber by George Mackay Brown.
First Conundrum
Standing back and taking in the beautiful architecture of The Usher Hall, located across the road.
Made of a variety of materials including limestone, granite, stainless steel and bronze, these impressive works by Remco de Fouw are inspired by Neolithic stones.
Found throughout Scotland, the use of such stones is not completely known, although many believe them to have been a form of currency. Located as they are today in Edinburgh’s financial services district is therefore an appropriate home.
The Bronze Swans
Enjoying Edinburgh’s outdoor experiences – including those that are both stationary and moving!
The flock of ten bronze swans which occupy this picturesque spot at the end of the Union Canal were unveiled in 2006 as part of the development of the Edinburgh Quay area.
They were designed by Glasgow-born sculptor Shona Kinloch and cast by Edinburgh company Powderhall Bronze.
From watersports to boat trips, find out how you can enjoy Edinburgh‘s Union Canal
Fish and Boat Sculpture
Exploring new parts of Leith, including its vibrant food and drink scene, award-winning attractions and the serenity offered by The Water of Leith.
This striking sculpture was commissioned to commemorate the redevelopment of the Commercial Quay in Leith in 1997.
It was designed by Jois Hunter and Master Blacksmith Peter Johnson of P. Johnson & Company, the company which also created the Pinnacle at the Foot of Leith Walk.
6 TIMES
Discovering unique monuments and landmarks located in and around The Water of Leith.
Created by Turner Prize-winning artist, Antony Gormley, 6 TIMES is a series of six sculptures.
Life-size cast iron sculptures of the artist’s body create a trail which starts at the National Galleries Scotland: Modern winding its way through the historic and pictureque Dean Village and along the Water of Leith Walkway, before finishing at the shore in Leith.
Why not make a day of it and explore the city via the Antony Gormley’s 6 TIMES tail.
The Scotsman Steps
A quick route for reaching Edinburgh Waverley Station from The Scotsman Hotel.
Running along the side of what used to be the headquarters of The Scotsman newspaper, and bridging Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns, artist Martin Creed has turned this historic stairwell into a permanent art work.
Named Work no 1059, each of the 104 steps is clad in a different marble with unique colours and markings.
Arts and theatre must-sees in Edinburgh
From permanent exhibitions to festivals, the city has an art space, gallery or theatre to suit all interests.
