Edinburgh Turner Exhibition

12 October 2022|Read time 2 mins

For some, the annual Turner's exhibition is a must-do event of the year. View these stunning paintings every January in Edinburgh.

Visit Edinburgh's Annual Turner Exhibition

The annual showing of Edinburgh's thirty eight Turner watercolours are a delight.

The pictures come out every January to enjoy the midwinter light, when natural daylight is at its weakest.

Turner, an English Romantic artist, is well known for his imaginative and turbulent marine landscapes.

When can you see the Turner Exhibition?

You can catch Turner's exhibition each January at the National Galleries of Scotland. It takes place at the Royal Scottish Academy building on the Mound. Admission is free.

Henry Vaughan, who left the works to the National Galleries in his will, insisted the delicate watercolours should only be shown in January to avoid damage from harsh sunlight.

Developments in gallery lighting mean the pictures could, at least theoretically, be shown all year round nowadays however the Victorian tradition continues to this day.

Many say it's a way of brightening up the new year in Edinburgh.

What can you see at the Turner's Exhibition in Edinburgh?

The works span Turner's long career ranging from early wash drawings to atmospheric sketches of Continental Europe.

The geographic range is another delight. You can enjoy pictures ranging from Loch Coruisk here in Scotland to one of St Mark's Basilica in Venice.

Who was Turner?

Turner is known as 'the painter of light'.

Born in 1738, he was a controversial figure in his day. But he is credited with elevating landscape painting to a new height.

By the time he died in 1829, he was the foremost romantic landscape painter of his day.

Visit the Scottish National Galleries

The Scottish National Gallery is one of four galleries in Edinburgh.

This building is home to some of the world's greatest artists, such as El Greco, Velázquez and Rembrandt. It also features homegrown talent, including Raeburn and Wilkie.

Also in the city centre, on Queen Street, you will find the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. Set in a stunning neo-gothic building, this was the world's first purpose-built portrait gallery.

Journey through Scottish history and learn about its people, from Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott to pioneers in the arts such as Billy Connolly and Tilda Swinton.

A little further from the city centre, near Dean Village, are the Scottish National Galleries of Modern Art, showcasing art collections from the 1900s.

Other January events in Edinburgh

January also sees one of the biggest Scottish celebrations of the year - Burns Night.

Celebrated as the national poet, Robert Burns is celebrated on 25th January with Burns suppers, ceilidhs and music. An event not to be missed!

There are plenty of other events to enjoy throughout the year during a self-catering trip to Edinburgh with Reserve Apartments, such as the Fringe Festival and St Andrews Day celebrations.

Book with Reserve Apartments

Book a January trip to Edinburgh and visit the Scottish National Gallery to view Turners 38 watercolours, accompanied by his sketches.