Fishink In Edinburgh Part 1

We were lucky to grab a few days up in Edinburgh last week and even decided to take the dog with us!

What a beautiful city it is. This must have been, easily my tenth visit over the years and every time I’m there, I’m reminded just how much I love it’s vibe, and the buzzy cafe/art culture.

Everywhere you look there are intreaguing little details that help paint the portrait of this city.

Talking of portraits did you know that the beautiful Scottish National Portrait Gallery (which has recently been refurbished) is showing the BP Portrait Awards at the moment.

The Gallery was designed by Sir Robert Rowand Anderson as a shrine for Scotland’s heroes and heroines. It opened to the public in 1889 as the world’s first purpose-built portrait gallery.

The last few times I’ve visied Edinburgh it’s been closed, so it was great to see inside and appreciate its hidden treasures.

The portraiture prints and drawings collection consists of 20,000 prints and around 2,000 drawings and watercolours dating from the 16th century to the present day.

The print collection comprises Scottish, English and foreign sitters whereas the drawings are almost exlusively Scots.

Sculpture, painting, splendour, exhibitions, food , gifts and a bookshop…. all in one building !

It feels like your almost in a painting yourself.

Also don’t forget to drop in on the BP Portrait Awards exhibition itself.

Miriam’s portrait of her mother gained her first prize and when you see it infront of you, with it’s wonderful clarity, you can really appreciate why.

The BP Portrait Awards 2018 are open until March 10th (i.e until the end of this week) at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, hey it’s even free, so do pop in!

Two further exhibitions are featured in part two of my Edinburgh blogpost, join me on Monday to discover who they’re about.