The Gallery of Modern Art occupies the Royal Exchange building on Royal Exchange Square, an imposing neoclassical structure originally built as a mansion in 1778, converted into an exchange, and now housing contemporary art. The collections on four floors focus on Scottish and international contemporary work, with a particular emphasis on socially engaged art and work by living artists.
The building's ground floor is airy and accessible — a good free space to shelter from the rain while looking at rotating exhibitions. The Duke of Wellington statue outside, perpetually cone-hatted, is as much a reason to visit as the art inside.