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The long pale stone front of the National Library of Scotland on George IV Bridge.
Edinburgh

National Library of Scotland

Scotland's national library on George IV Bridge, free to enter, with exhibitions from its collections, a cafe and a shop.

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Welcome

On George IV Bridge, between the Royal Mile and Greyfriars, a long, stern front of pale stone carved with tall figures holds Scotland's national library.

Its collections are among the largest in the country, and anyone can walk in.

The public floors open onto exhibitions drawn from the library's treasures: rare manuscripts, early printed books, maps and papers from every age of Scotland's history, alongside newer digital archives. The displays change through the year, and the library also runs events, talks and introductory tours of the building and its story. There is a cafe with tables on the street, and a shop of books and gifts.

The exhibitions are free and open every day, until seven on weekday evenings, until five on Saturdays and from two on Sunday afternoons. Among the library's treasures is one of the city's anonymous book sculptures, left here in 2011.

Round the cornerDeacon's House CafeA cafe in Brodie's Close off the Lawnmarket, named for the close's most famous resident, with breakfasts, soups and home baking.1 min by roadSee itEmpty tables and murals fill The Deacon's House tearoom, shelves lined with china above
Before you go

The exhibitions, cafe and shop are free to visit.

Introductory tours of the building run on some days; the library's site has the times.

Where
George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EW.
Exhibitions
Monday to Friday 10am to 7pm; Saturday 10am to 5pm; Sunday 2pm to 5pm.

Opening hours

Monday
10am–7pm
Tuesday
10am–7pm
Wednesday
10am–7pm
Thursday
10am–7pm
Friday
10am–7pm
Saturday
10am–5pm
Sunday
2pm–5pm
Where it is

On George IV Bridge, between the Royal Mile and Greyfriars.

Close byGeorge IV Bridge and Greyfriars.
  1. The Heart of MidlothianThe Heart of MidlothianA heart of granite setts in the Royal Mile outside St Giles'.Under a mile1 min by road
  2. Edinburgh Castle seen from a rooftop terrace with a stone drainage holeAndy Goldsworthy's 'Hutton Roof'Four sandstone blocks by Andy Goldsworthy on the roof of the National Museum.Under a mile1 min by road
  3. Greyfriars BobbyGreyfriars BobbyThe bronze of the Skye terrier said to have kept watch over his master's grave.Under a mile2 min by road
  4. Greyfriars KirkGreyfriars KirkThe first church built in Edinburgh after the Reformation.Under a mile2 min by road
  5. Paper sculpture of a fox beneath a tree, crafted from an open bookEdinburgh Book SculpturesEleven sculptures cut from old books, left anonymously at Edinburgh's libraries.Under a mile3 min by road
Directions
Empty tables and murals fill The Deacon's House tearoom, shelves lined with china aboveCafeDeacon's House CafeA step away
Stone archway close, with a "Rare Whiskies" sign listing Ardbeg, Laphroaig and MacallanAttractionsRiddle’s CourtA step away
Deacon Brodie's Tavern sign on the Royal Mile, hanging baskets in bloom belowRestaurantsDeacon Brodie's TavernA step away
Antique bureau with candlestick and quill pen beside a stone windowAttractionsGladstone’s LandA step away
Golden bird sculpture above a hanging sign for Gladstone's Land, offering tours, ice creams, coffees and cakesAttractionsGolden Hawk Sculpture at Gladstone's LandA step away
A round table and chairs stand before tall curtained windows looking onto stone buildings, a sofa and mounted television to the right.EdinburghMoment George IV BridgeSleeps 2 · A step away
Candlelit tables and wooden chairs beneath an oval plasterwork ceiling in a restaurantRestaurantsThe OutsiderA step away
Stone colonnade with arched ceiling and windows along a covered walkwayRestaurantsSignet LibraryA step away
Rows of wooden chairs face the stained glass window in St Giles' CathedralAttractionsSt Giles’ CathedralA step away
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the library, and when each is next free.

A round table and chairs stand before tall curtained windows looking onto stone buildings, a sofa and mounted television to the right.Moment George IV Bridge
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Edinburgh
  • Under a mile from the National Library
Check datesA man walks past Bucken Booths entrance flanked by black lamp postsOld Town Chambers
  • To stay
  • In Edinburgh
  • Under a mile from the National Library
Check datesWest End Muse
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Edinburgh
  • Under a mile from the National Library
Check datesA turreted sandstone building with conical spires catches the evening light above rooftops, a large pine tree standing beside it.The Scott Hotel
  • A hotel
  • In Edinburgh
  • A mile from the National Library
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in EdinburghAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
Hidden Scotland, the magazine

Scotland, in print.

Every photograph commissioned, every word written by somebody who went. Printed twice a year, made in Scotland.

Get Issue 13Read it here
Find out more

For further reading, before you go.