Dovecot Studios Edinburgh
Watch the weavers at work
The Dovecot Studios in Edinburgh’s Infirmary Street have a dual history: the building was once a public swimming baths where I swam every morning before work, and the tapestry studios were originally established next to an old dovecot(e) in Corstorphine, the only remaining part of the medieval Castle. Established by the 4th Marquess of Bute in 1912, it recruited weavers from William Morris' workshops at Merton Abbey in London. The Marquess commissioned the studios to produce large tapestries for Mount Stuart House, his home on the Isle of Bute.
I enjoy the Dovecot gallery exhibitions, sometimes hosting Orla Kiely or other textile work from Finland and Iceland, and I admit that do get tempted by the shop with its attractive notebooks and crafts packs. Plus, I am a great fan of this Edinburgh café. However, it is the tapestry viewing floor I like most of all.
From where I used to watch my kids have their swimming lessons, I now have a bird’s eye view of the weavers and their looms. The strains of The Archers sometimes float up as they follow the intricate diagrams at their sides, using the cornucopia of wools and silks that have been carefully selected and dyed to match either a painting (one of my favourites is snowy Large Tree Group tapestry by Victoria Crowe, 1975), poems or photographs. They are meticulous in their detail and absolutely fascinating to watch.
Enjoy the likes of William Morris, Raphael, Chanel and Vivienne Westwood.
Find your way with 138 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Edinburgh
Lochend Park
Birdwatching bounty
"Lochend Park" in Edinburgh is for you if you want a peaceful stroll around a loch (small lake), a gander at a doocot, a dander under mature trees...
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Newhaven Harbour
Fish and chips by the sea
Cute, quaint "Newhaven Harbour" is a hidden gem in Edinburg. Try walking around the area - it will take you about an hour...
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Starbank Park
Gardens with a view
"Starbank Park" in Edinburgh offers cracking views over the Firth of Forth - it's such a peaceful, beautiful place to sit and sun yourself in the sea air!
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Water of Leith
River through the city
The "Water of Leith" is a river that runs from one side of Edinburgh to the other, and it runs through some of the city's most scenic & interesting sites...
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Wardie Bay
Wild swimming in the city
"Wardie Bay" in Edinburgh is a bijou beach on the Firth of Forth and my favourite spot for wild swimming in the city...
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Dance Base
Dance your heart out
"Dance Base" is an award-winning building in Edinburgh established to provide classes, workshops & performances. Please do join me in dancing!
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop
Art and good coffee
The "Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop" is a bit of an institution. Going regularly means I can keep up with the artist’s work and enjoy a scone & jasmine tea.
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Granton Hub
Community arts
"Granton Hub" (aka Madelvic House) in North Edinburgh is a community centre in a prosaic, truly historic building with a rich industrial heritage...
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Inverleith Park
Green space and games
"Inverleith Park" is kind of a mirror-image of the Edinburgh Royal Botanic Gardens: one is lauded for its unusual trees, the other for its wide-open spaces
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Japanese Garden Lauriston Castle
Peace
"Lauriston Castle" in Edinburgh is fairly well known to tourists, but its Japanese garden is not. All is perfectly balanced here...
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Lothian Buses
Hop-on hop-off for less
In Edinburgh, you don't have to get on a tourist bus at all - get a day ticket for the local "Lothian Buses" and you can explore the city for cheap!
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Silverknowes Esplanade
Seaside walk
The "Silverknowes Esplanade" in Edinburgh is simply a wonderful strip of wildish landscape by the sea. Dress up warmly, as it's often very windy!
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Heading to Edinburgh?
138 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
Heading to Edinburgh?
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 138 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture
Our team loves Edinburgh
Get to know our other Spotters from Edinburgh
As featured on:
