Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in Sands

"The Stirling Smith is considered to be the largest exhibition space in all of Central Scotland, and is situated on Dumbarton Road near the city centre. Admission is free of charge. First opened to the public in 1874, the Stirling Smith has been at the centre of cultural life in Stirling ever since, and today houses a museum, an art gallery and the Cunninghame Graham Library as well as a lecture theatre and popular café."

"Oswald the museum cat greets visitors to this treasure trove of local history, which tells the story of Stirling from prehistoric to modern times. The prize exhibit is the world's oldest football, discovered in..."

"Edinburgh's gallery of modern art is split between two impressive neoclassical buildings surrounded by landscaped grounds some 500m west of Dean Village. As well as showcasing a stunning collection of paintings by the popular, post-Impressionist Scottish Colourists – in Reflections, Balloch, Leslie Hunter pulls off the improbable trick of making Scotland look like the south of France – the gallery is the starting point for a walk along the Water of Leith. Fees apply for some exhibitions."

"From Cubism and Expressionism to 20th-century Russian and French pieces, the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art is unmissable for art buffs. With two early-19th-century buildings to explore (Modern One and Modern Two) and sweeping green spaces dotted with sculptures (including monumental earthworks by Charles Jencks), it’s well worth leaving the city centre to explore the galleries. Modern Two contains the intact studio of erstwhile Edinburgh sculptor Eduardo Paolozzi."

"You can explore Leith and visit the Trinity House Maritime Museum, stroll along the Water of Leith Walkway or see the latest exhibits on display at the National Gallery of Modern Art."

"Canongate, The Royal Mile, EH8 8DX (website) Open daily 9:30am-6pm (26 March to 31 October) and 9:30am-4.30pm (1 November to 25 March)Adult: £6.70, Over 60/Students £6.10, Under 17/Disabled: £3.40, unders 5's go free. If you like art but find conventional art galleries too big and daunting, then the Queen's Gallery is the answer, as it hosts small intimate exhibitions as part of the Royal Collection Trust. The building is a conversion of a former Holyrood Free Church and Duchess of Gordon’s School and features a beautiful teak and sycamore staircase."

"Situated at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, this gallery is one of 15 in the UK that houses the Royal Collection, the largest private art collection in the world. This is a fascinating record of the personal tastes of kings and queens over the past 500 years, comprising decorative arts, drawings, watercolours, paintings and photographs. Those that have made contributions to the collection over the years include Frederick Prince of Wales, George IV, Queen Victoria and Queen Mary."

"The Palace of Holyroodhouse and The Queens Gallery lie at the east end of The Royal Mile, opposite the Scottish Parliament. The visit is best achieved by taxi, local bus service from Waverley Bridge or tour bus. Walking takes around 15 minutes from Waverley Station."

"Tucked away in Edinburgh’s Old Town, the Urbane Art Gallery is one of the most cutting edge spaces in the city. It covers a range of artists and mediums, but the majority of work has a hint of urban delight about it. Visit the gallery’s website."

"If you’re looking for a good classic then Scotts is the venue for you. From burgers to mac ‘n’ cheese, they serve up tasty traditional fare at a reasonable price point. There’s a terrace looking over the gorgeous old town for drinks, and the interiors are clean and modern for a neutral backdrop to your event."

"Green tile, brown leather and arched Georgian windows lend an elegant feel to this modern cafe, which combines fine Scottish produce with great value. Fill up on a breakfast (served till 11.45am) of eggs... Top ChoiceCafe in Old Town"

"I had several nice meals at Olly Bongo’s during my student years at Edinburgh University. This Mediterranean cafe offers a selection of sandwiches and wraps, as well as Turkish and Greek dishes, including moussaka and lamb koftas (very tasty!). I also love the Greek and Turkish decor of this place – it’s so bright and colourful."

"A few of my favourite dishes at Yes Sushi are the prawn dumplings, salmon skin roll, and their hot pot -which is reason enough to visit. Choose your broth, noodles, veggies, seafood, and meat (all of which are served uncooked), drop them into the boiling pot, and watch them cook in front of you. It’s £17.99 per person, and also includes all-you-can-eat sushi (from a limited menu), which is a bargain in Edinburgh."

"Notoriously expensive sushi is made more affordable at Hanover Street’s Yes Sushi, thanks to their bento box options. The perfect size for one, each box costs around £10 and contain enough delicious Japanese delights to fill you up. Each box is different, so diners can choose a few favourites from the likes of teriyaki tofu, tempura prawns, maki rolls, fresh sashimi and nigiri."

"A post shared by Martina (@maartinamar) on Jun 8, 2017 at 10:32am PDT. Always buzzing with happy customers, this lively joint in Edinburgh’s New Town is famous for its comforting hot pots and for its all you can eat sushi buffet. When enjoying the all you can eat buffet, you can choose either sushi by itself, or a sushi and hotpot combo for a little extra."

"A post shared by Edinburgh Food Porn & Reviews (@plateexpectations) on Jul 7, 2017 at 3:45am PDT. Part of a chain of three restaurants dotted across Edinburgh, Maki and Ramen offers soothing bowls of broth with braised bean curd (or try the ‘Hell Ramen’ if you dare!) and then plenty of fresh sushi to have on the side or as an additional course. This is probably the best sushi restaurant on this list for vegetarians, too, thanks to its thoughtful and delectable vegetarian set dishes."

"Scotland is not especially renowned for its culinary highlights. However, if you are staying in Edinburgh, you will be blessed with a very rich food scene extending much further than Haggis and fish and chips. As every major city, Edinburgh has a very broad and multicultural food scene."

"Anyone with a historical interest in medicine, or a taste for the gruesome, will enjoy the three medical museums collectively known as the Surgeons' Hall. They include the Wohn Pathology Museum, one of the largest collections of anatomical pathology in the world; The History of Surgery Museum, where you can learn about the history of murderers and body snatchers who provided teaching "samples" to surgeons in training; and The Dental Collection, with paintings, Japanese woodcuts, and dental instruments illustrating the development of everyone's least favorite medical profession. A highlight is the story of murderers and body snatchers Burke and Hare, who provided bodies for dissection."

"Royal College of Surgeons on Nicholson Street, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.|© Duncan Hale-Sutton / Alamy Stock Photo. One for visitors with strong stomachs, the collections of the Surgeons’ Hall were started way back in 1699 and include all sorts of tortuous looking surgical and dental implements – the most perused exhibits are those relating to infamous Edinburgh grave robbers Burke and Hare. But it’s not all sensationalism – the museum also explores the city’s crucial role in the evolution of surgery and medicine."

"Housed in a grand Ionic temple designed by William Playfair in 1832, these three fascinating museums were originally established as teaching collections. The History of Surgery Museum provides a look at surgery in Scotland from the 15th century to the present day. Highlights include the exhibit on murderers Burke and Hare, which includes Burke's death mask and a pocketbook made from his skin, and a display on Dr Joseph Bell, who was the inspiration for the character of Sherlock Holmes."