Dovecot Studios is a landmark centre for contemporary art, craft and design built around a leading international tapestry studio. The Gallery occupies an extraordinary building in the heart of Edinburgh working to programme, commission and produce exhibitions and events for audiences and clients who share Dovecot’s passion for making and the creative arts.

The heart of Dovecot is Dovecot Tapestry Studio – a world-renowned producer of hand-woven tapestry and gun-tufted rugs. Originally established by 4th Marquess of Bute who invited weavers John Glassbrook and Gordon Berry, from the workshops of William Morris, to Edinburgh in 1912 to establish a weaving studio that would produce tapestries of historic interest for Mount Stuart in Rothesay. Their ethos of arts and crafts ideals and weaving skills have been passed on to generations of Dovecot Apprentices to the present day Dovecot Apprenticeship programme. Dovecot’s Master Weavers continue to collaborate with artists and designers on tapestry projects and commissions ensuring that the skill of tapestry weaving remains vibrant in the 21st Century. The founding Master Weavers came with their arts and crafts ideals and weaving skills which they passed on to generations of Dovecot Apprentices until the present day. Dovecot Tapestry Studio was incorporated in to The Edinburgh Tapestry Company in 1946, but was continued to be known as Dovecot until 2001 when it was then established as Dovecot Studios.