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The King’s Gallery

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Were these once pews, upon which devout churchgoers sat? The King’s Gallery in Edinburgh doesn’t always announce its regal air. This building, now home to rotating masterpieces from the Royal Collection, once served a different purpose. It was constructed in the mid-1800s as Holyrood Free Church, a testament to Scotland’s evolving religious landscape. Imagine Elizabeth Gordon, the Duchess of Gordon herself, a key figure in the Free Church movement, funding its very construction. Years later, the echoes of hymns faded, and the church transformed into a storeroom. Then, in 2002, a royal touch. Queen Elizabeth II, marking her Golden Jubilee, inaugurated the space as the Queen’s Gallery. Today, renamed The King’s Gallery, it stands as a testament to art and history, a treasure trove showcasing the monarchy’s artistic tastes. Stepping inside, you’re greeted by soaring timber ceilings, a whisper of the building’s former life. From Van Dyck to Da Vinci, the exhibitions here offer a glimpse into centuries of artistic mastery, a regal legacy breathing life into what was once a house of worship.

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