There has been a notable buzz around photography across Edinburgh and the surrounding Lothians this summer, with one of the season’s standout surveys taking place in the capital and a complementary programme reaching into Dalkeith. Local visitors will find the medium well represented at venues from Stills in central Edinburgh to the historic rooms of Dalkeith Palace.
Jillian Edelstein’s survey and a local offering
The first major Scottish survey of South African–born, London-based photographer Jillian Edelstein is currently on show at Stills in Edinburgh. Curated by Tracy Marshall-Grant, the exhibition has been widely praised for its humane portraiture and formal sensitivity. A separate listing in the same round-up highlights the Photo Dalkeith presentation at Dalkeith Palace, which received a measured response from reviewers.
What critics have noted is Edelstein’s sustained interest in people rather than political reportage: portraits of public figures sit alongside intimate community studies. Reviewers have singled out her work for its use of light and shade to create mood and tenderness, and for series that range from portraits of Holocaust survivors to covid-era water-swimming communities.
“The Jillian Edelstein retrospective at Stills captures the compassion and humanity of her work and leaves you wanting more.”
Photo Dalkeith at Dalkeith Palace
Photo Dalkeith’s show at Dalkeith Palace was noted alongside other regional exhibitions. While not awarded the highest praise in the roundup, the event marked an important local contribution to a year that, critics say, has been strong for photography in the capital and the Lothians alike.
- Dalkeith Palace is serving as a local venue, bringing photography into a historic setting.
- The regional season has included both retrospective surveys and focused series, giving residents access to varied practices.
- Local visitors can see how national and international photographic themes are being interpreted across different venues in the area.
How the exhibitions compare
Reviews from the recent round-up offered a quick appraisal of several shows that Dalkeith residents may wish to visit or consider when planning trips to Edinburgh and the Lothians.
| Exhibition / Venue | Reviewer Rating |
|---|---|
| Jillian Edelstein: Among People, Stills Gallery, Edinburgh | ★★★★★ |
| Photo Dalkeith, Dalkeith Palace | ★★★ |
| Coast, Fidra Fine Art, Gullane | ★★★★ |
The ratings give a sense of critical emphasis: Edelstein’s retrospective in Edinburgh drew particular acclaim, while the Dalkeith Palace offering was recognised as a solid, if less celebrated, contribution to the season.
What this means for Dalkeith
For residents of Dalkeith, the presence of Photo Dalkeith at Dalkeith Palace is significant for two reasons. First, it demonstrates a continued willingness among local institutions to host contemporary photography alongside more traditional uses of historic spaces. Second, it connects the town to a wider cultural programme across Edinburgh and the Lothians, encouraging local audiences to engage with national and international photographic practices without having to travel far.
Those interested in Edinburgh’s major exhibitions will still find compelling reasons to cross the river, but Dalkeith’s own offering shows the town is part of the region’s creative conversation. The season overall suggests a healthy appetite for photography in central Scotland, with something for both specialist audiences and the general public.
Local arts organisers and visitors alike may look to the autumn schedule to see whether Dalkeith Palace and other venues build on this momentum, offering further opportunities to see ambitious photographic work within the town.
