Glasgow

Gallery of Modern Art
GoMA is Scotland’s most visited modern art gallery and its exhibitions draw on its huge collection. It also hosts major touring shows, has a massive library, and the GoMA blog is an informed and regularly updated overview of what’s going on in Scottish art.

CCA
The Centre for Contemporary Arts is descended from the 70s’ legendary Third Eye Centre, and besides programming major Scottish and international artists also has strong programmes of film, performance and live music. Plus, its Saramago café offers some of the tastiest vegan
food in the city.

Tramway
Another multi-purpose venue, Tramway maintains strong links with some of Scotland’s most interesting art organisations such as Edinburgh’s Arika and Glasgow’s Cryptic, whose annual Sonica festival is based here. In 2015, Tramway hosted the Turner Prize.

Edinburgh

Scottish National Galleries of Modern Art One & Two
Essentially one excellent gallery split into two buildings across the road from each other. Modern One features Martin Creed’s mockingly reassuring Work 975 on its portico, and you can contemplate it from the grassy slopes of Charles Jencks’ Landform.

Rhubaba Gallery and Studios
The friendly, artist-run Rhubaba bucks the tendency of serious galleries to be cool and neutral. Besides its programme of exhibitions and events it also provides studio space for 19 artists, and even has its own choir.

Summerhall
Edinburgh’s major art space is a former veterinary hospital, and with so many rooms at its disposal it can host multiple exhibitions at once and have space left over for live music. Its visual art programme is dynamic and exciting and you can even get (very good) beer brewed on-site, in its Royal Dick bar / café.