Evergreen: a celebration of nature.

7 November, 2024 - 21 March, 2025 / Tonic Gallery, Royal Edinburgh Hospital

artwork from evergreen exhibition; grey scale flowers

Immerse yourself in the beauty and wonder of the natural world.

Join us for a captivating exhibition that explores the enduring power of nature. Discover stunning artworks that celebrate the intricate details of the natural world, from the smallest leaf to the vastest landscape.

In partnership with Artlink, who are located in the Royal Edinburgh Hospital Glasshouses and are immersed in nature and cultivated space, we are delighted to turn the Tonic Arts Gallery green, and to celebrate all things nature through this collection of art and photographs.

Weekly art workshops in the Glasshouses art studio encouraged drawing and painting of what is growing and in season, referring to the tradition of botanical studies of plants. Some of the resulting artworks are displayed here.

Celebrating Nature and the Outdoors at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital

Nature and the outdoors have become treasured spaces in recent years. The Royal Edinburgh Hospital, through a collaboration of on-site teams and third sector partners and volunteers, has become the recipient of the Green Flag Award. Administered in Scotland by Keep Scotland Beautiful, this award is a testament to the hospital’s commitment to maintaining and nurturing its natural spaces, which provide substantial benefits to patients, staff and the local community. 

The green spaces in hospitals serve as areas for relaxation, reflection and therapeutic activities, supporting the healing process and improving the overall hospital experience. 

With credit and thanks to all the artists who have taken part, and to the volunteer gardeners throughout the hospital.

Find out more about our Tonic Arts Exhibition programme, providing engaging, changing displays of professional, patient and staff artworks for exploration, reflection and distraction.

Current Exhibitions

illustration by Amy Steele

20 November, 2024 – 8 April, 2025 / Tonic Gallery, Royal Hospital for Children and Young People/Department of Clinical Neurosciences

Storybook Way

Storybook Way is a vibrant site-specific exhibition captures the magic of picture books for all ages.

Find out more

29 November, 2024 – 1 May, 2025 / Tonic Gallery and outdoor exhibition, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh

Havens: Stories and Portraits from NHS Lothian

Discover the interesting and sometimes surprising places that NHS Lothian staff use as havens in their busy work lives.

Find out more
Artwork by Lesley Simpson

30 October, 2024 – 21 March, 2025 / Tonic Gallery, Anne Ferguson Building, Western General Hospital

Artists Within

Artists Within is an exhibition of artwork by NHS Lothian staff. We have had the pleasure of working in partnership […]

Find out more
Three portraits of Scottish LGBTI+ elders hung on a wall

8 October, 2024 – 25 January, 2025 / Tonic Gallery, St John’s Hospital, Livingston

Portraits of an LGBTI+ Generation

Our Portraits of an LGBTI+ Generation exhibition, in partnership with National Theatre of Scotland, shares a series of portraits of […]

Find out more