Introduction

Nestled in the heart of Aberdeen, the city’s Art Gallery was founded in 1885 and is today the main visual arts exhibition space in Aberdeen. Its impressive collections are recognised by UNESCO and the Scottish government as being of national and international importance. The building itself, a handsome granite example, was designed by Alexander Marshall Mackenzie and is regarded as among the UK’s finest Victorian galleries. 
 

Aberdeen Art Gallery received its first major collection in 1900, when the private collection of local granite merchant, Alexander MacDonald, was donated. Five years later, the Sculpture Court was added and the gallery continued to expand until 1926, with the construction of the city’s War Memorial and the Cowdray Hall. Between 2015 and 2019, the gallery underwent major renovation, enabling it to increase its number of items on display from 370 to 1,080. 

Highlights include works by Tracey Emin, Barbara Hepworth,  Samuel Peploe and Joan Eardley. There is a cafe and shop on the ground floor and a new rooftop café and terrace, where you can expect some amazing views over the cities Schoolhill and Belmont Street.