Royal Scottish Academy

Some heading to visit the much-loved Scottish National Gallery on the Mound may not be fully up to speed with the Royal Scottish Academy, which shares part of its space, and plays an important role in Scotland’s rich, cultural scene. An independent organisation led by a top array of artists and architects, the RSA’s main aim is to support the country’s visual arts.

Established in 1826, the Academy resides in a beautiful William Henry Playfair-designed building. In addition to a year-round exhibitions programme, there’s a range of awards, scholarships and residencies on show throughout the year.