Aberdeen Art Gallery, Aberdeen

The Aberdeen Art Gallery, the city's primary visual arts space, was founded in 1884, and housed in a building designed by the architect Alexander Marshall Mackenzie. The gallery features a notable sculpture court, added in 1905 as part of Mackenzie’s expansion efforts. Its art collection began to grow significantly after receiving a donation from granite merchant Alexander Macdonald in 1900. The gallery is renowned for its collection of modern Scottish and international art, showcasing works by Ken Currie, Gilbert & George, Ivor Abrahams, Bridget Riley, and Bruce McLean.

Over the years, the gallery's collection has expanded to include pieces from both historical and contemporary artists. Among its 18th-century highlights are works by Henry Raeburn, William Hogarth, Allan Ramsay, and Joshua Reynolds, while its 20th-century holdings include art from Paul Nash, Francis Bacon, the Scottish Colourists, and the Post-Impressionists. The gallery’s permanent collection also features applied arts and crafts.

A key architectural feature of the gallery is its central hall, supported by granite columns from quarries across the region, illustrating the area's historic connection to granite. The western section of the gallery includes a war memorial, constructed in the 1920s, which houses books of remembrance from World War I, World War II, and subsequent conflicts.

Another significant addition from this period is the Cowdray Hall, a concert venue that opened in 1925. The hall was a gift from Viscountess Cowdray and was inaugurated by King George V and Queen Mary. The venue continues to host performances, promoting the arts in Aberdeen.

In 2020, the gallery gained recognition as one of the five winners of the prestigious Art Fund Museum of the Year Award, further cementing its status as a cultural landmark in Scotland.