&Gallery

A mere stone's throw from Edinburgh's city centre lies &Gallery, the latest venture from local lass and tapestry artist, Avril Nicol.  Having found success with &Collective (formerly based up in bonny Bridge of Allan), Nicol has gone on to build a name for herself as one of the pioneering curators in Scotland's forward-thinking art scene; thankfully for capital dwellers, you can now check out her permanent gallery on Dundas Street.

Free to visit, &Gallery focuses on promoting contemporary visual and applied art, and hosts a new featured artist every four weeks.  Exhibitions vary from fine art and drawing to painting and printmaking, and there is also a rotating selection of craft goods from makers across the country; with jewellery, ceramics, glassware and sculptures on display, you're sure to find something a little out-of-the-ordinary to take home or to treat someone special to.

Or you might simply want to escape the bustle of the city within the white-washed and calming interior.  An oasis of calm and a means to supporting local, indepdent art - what's not to love about that?