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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.

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The Daily for 31 October, from Scotland with love. A ring of standing stones set among mist and autumn birch
Round the cornerDeacon Brodie's TavernA Royal Mile pub named after Deacon William Brodie, cabinetmaker and councillor by day and burglar by night, hanged in 1788.1 min by roadSee itDeacon Brodie's Tavern
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

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Where it is

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

Close byGeorge IV Bridge and Greyfriars.
  1. Empty tables and murals fill The Deacon's House tearoom, shelves lined with china aboveDeacon'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.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. The Heart of MidlothianThe Heart of MidlothianA heart of granite setts in the Royal Mile outside St Giles'.Under a mile 1 min by road
  3. 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 mile 1 min by road
  4. Greyfriars BobbyGreyfriars BobbyThe bronze of the Skye terrier said to have kept watch over his master's grave.Under a mile 2 min by road
  5. Greyfriars KirkGreyfriars KirkThe first church built in Edinburgh after the Reformation.Under a mile 2 min by road
  6. Edinburgh Book SculpturesEdinburgh Book SculpturesEleven sculptures cut from old books, left anonymously at Edinburgh's libraries.Under a mile 3 min by road
Directions
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
The blue front of The Bow Bar at 80 West Bow, its name in gold script between Spirit and Merchant, with the lit bar inside.BarsThe Bow BarA 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

Recommend to a friend

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 hotel studio room with a beige fitted kitchen unit and stainless sink beside a bed dressed in white and teal cushions, a wall of black-framed pictures above a patterned headboard.Old 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
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