National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh

Name: National Library of Scotland
Address: 7-9 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1EW, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 131 623 3700

#166 among attractions in Edinburgh

Library

Gallery (3)

Map

Gallery

Facts and practical information

The National Library of Scotland is the legal deposit library of Scotland and is one of the country's National Collections. As one of the largest libraries in the United Kingdom, it is a member of Research Libraries UK and the Consortium of European Research Libraries. ()

Alternative names: Established: 1925 (99 years ago)Coordinates: 55°56'55"N, 3°11'30"W

Address

7-9 George IV BridgeOld Town (Cowgate)Edinburgh EH1 1EW United Kingdom

Contact

+44 131 623 3700

Website

Social media

Twitter

Edinburgh

Day trips

National Library of Scotland – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: St Giles' Cathedral, Greyfriars Kirkyard, Gladstone's Land, Thistle Chapel.

~340 ftNE
Iconic Presbyterian place of worship
St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh
2 min walk • St Giles' Cathedral, often referred to as the High Kirk of Edinburgh, stands as a venerable beacon of Scotland's ecclesiastical history, nestled in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town. This majestic church, with its distinctive crown steeple piercing the skyline, is not...
~690 ftS
Reportedly haunted, Cemetery
Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh
4 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh's bustling Old Town lies Greyfriars Kirkyard, a historic cemetery that is as rich in history as it is in atmosphere. Established in the late 16th century, this graveyard is renowned for its connection to the city's past and its...
~500 ftNW
Museum, History museum, Historical place
Gladstone's Land, Edinburgh
3 min walk • Stepping into Gladstone's Land is like traveling back in time through the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town. This historic tenement, managed by the National Trust for Scotland, offers a vivid glimpse into 17th-century city life.
~370 ftNE
Church, Gothic Revival architecture
Thistle Chapel, Edinburgh
2 min walk • Nestled within the historic walls of St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, Thistle Chapel stands as a stunning example of Gothic architecture and Scottish tradition. This intimate chapel, an addition to the cathedral completed in 1911, is the spiritual home of The Most...
~660 ftNW
Museum, Specialty museum, History museum
Museum on the Mound, Edinburgh
4 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Scotland's historic capital, the Museum on the Mound stands as a testament to Edinburgh's rich cultural tapestry. Located within the iconic headquarters of the Bank of Scotland, this unique museum takes visitors on an enlightening journey...
~160 ftS
Dancing, Nightlife
Subway Cowgate, Edinburgh
1 min walk • 65 Cowgate is a multi-storey building situated on the historic Cowgate, Edinburgh, Scotland, which is used each August as a venue complex for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world's largest open access festival.
~570 ftNE
Haunted tours through now-hidden alleys
Mary King's Close, Edinburgh
3 min walk • Mary King's Close is a historic close located under buildings on the Royal Mile, in the historic Old Town area of Edinburgh, Scotland. It took its name from one Mary King, a merchant burgess who resided on the Close in the 17th century.
~340 ftN
Street
Royal Mile, Edinburgh
2 min walk • The Royal Mile is a succession of streets forming the main thoroughfare of the Old Town of the city of Edinburgh in Scotland. The term was first used descriptively in W M Gilbert's Edinburgh in the Nineteenth Century, "...with its Castle and Palace and the royal mile between"...
~400 ftW
Church
Quaker Meeting House, Edinburgh
2 min walk • The Quaker Meeting House, Edinburgh is a Category B listed building in Edinburgh, Scotland, situated on Victoria Terrace in the city's Old Town. It is the central meeting house for members of the Quakers in Edinburgh. There is also another Quaker meeting held in the Open Door cafe in Morningside in the south of the city.
~580 ftNW
Museum, Robert Louis Stevenson, Specialty museum
Writers' Museum, Edinburgh
3 min walk • The Writers’ Museum, housed in Lady Stair's House at the Lawnmarket, on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, presents the lives of three of the foremost Scottish writers: Robert Burns, Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson.
~190 ftSW
Theater
Underbelly, Edinburgh
1 min walk • The Underbelly is a venue at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe off Cowgate. From 2001-2004, Underbelly was the only venue operated by Underbelly Limited. In 2005, Underbelly added the Baby Belly venue. In 2006, these venues were joined by the E4 UdderBELLY and the Cow Barn.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is National Library of Scotland open?

National Library of Scotland is open:

Monday 9:30 am - 7 pm
Tuesday 9:30 am - 7 pm
Wednesday 10 am - 7 pm
Thursday 9:30 am - 7 pm
Friday 9:30 am - 5 pm
Saturday 9:30 am - 5 pm
Sunday closed

Which popular attractions are close to National Library of Scotland?

Nearby attractions include The John Murray Archive, Edinburgh (1 min walk), Advocates Library, Edinburgh (1 min walk), Underbelly, Edinburgh (1 min walk), Central Library, Edinburgh (1 min walk).

How to get to National Library of Scotland by public transport?

The nearest stations to National Library of Scotland:

Bus

Victoria Street • Lines: 23, 27, 41 (1 min walk)
Chambers Street • Lines: 41 (3 min walk)

Train

Edinburgh Waverley (6 min walk)
Haymarket (28 min walk)

Tram

Princes Street • Lines: Edinburgh Trams Eastbound, Edinburgh Trams Westbound (9 min walk)
St Andrew Square • Lines: Edinburgh Trams Eastbound, Edinburgh Trams Westbound (11 min walk)