Two new immersive art experiences landed in Edinburgh this month, and honestly, they’re unlike anything I’ve seen before. Beyond Monet and Beyond Van Gogh arrived to the Royal Highland Centre on the 29 November 2025 and are on until 2 January 2026, bringing the work of two iconic artists to life in a way that feels part-gallery, part-technology showcase, and part-total-sensory-wonderland.
I actually got a sneak peek last Friday when I went to the launch with my mum (a rare treat in itself!). Walking into the space, the first thing that struck me was just how big it all is. When you’re surrounded by these enormous, shifting canvases, you suddenly get a real sense of the scale of each brushstroke. It’s not the same as standing in front of a painting in a quiet gallery, but that’s kind of the point—this is a new form of art in its own right. Technology isn’t replacing Monet or Van Gogh; it’s opening up another way to experience them.
What to expect
The two experiences run on different days throughout the five-week residency, and tickets are sold separately—so if you want pure Impressionist dreaminess and a journey through Van Gogh’s world, you’ll want to book both.
Each show includes the main event: a colossal 10,000 sq ft immersive room, where projections ripple across the walls and floors, wrapping you entirely in the artists’ worlds. After that, you follow the flow into the brand-new reflection rooms, designed to extend the magic a little longer. Edinburgh is only the second place in the world to see these new spaces after their premiere in Liverpool this summer.
Beyond Monet: stepping inside colour
Produced by Annerin Productions and Paquin Entertainment Group, Beyond Monet is all about celebrating the Father of Impressionism in vivid, mesmerising fashion. More than 400 of Monet’s paintings—from Poppies and Impression: Sunrise to his famous Water Lilies—are reimagined with cutting-edge projection tech.
At the launch, standing in the Infinity Room and watching the colours shift and swirl around us, Mum and I kept nudging each other like, “Did you see that?” It really does feel as if you’ve stepped inside his imagination. Inspired by the Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris, this room lets you roam freely as an original score washes over you.
Beyond Van Gogh: walking through a story
Meanwhile, Beyond Van Gogh blends more than 300 paintings with a beautiful curated soundtrack, telling the story of the artist’s life in a way that’s both immersive and emotional. Iconic works like The Starry Night, Sunflowers and Terrace of a Café at Night don’t just appear—they move, they wrap around you, and they feel alive in a way that gives you goosebumps. I haven’t seen this in Edinburgh but went down to England to see it last year!
Both experiences end with the reflection rooms:
- Waterlily Alley – an enchanting, softly lit homage to Monet’s gardens at Giverny.
- Sunflower Alley – a bright, bloom-lined tribute to Van Gogh.
You can visit both alleys no matter which show you’ve booked, and they make for a gorgeous, calming transition back into the real world.
Why Edinburgh is the perfect home
This is Annerin Productions’ first venture in Edinburgh (after packing out Glasgow’s SEC in 2024 and Aberdeen’s P&J Live this summer), and the Royal Highland Centre feels like the ideal fit. As Scotland’s biggest indoor/outdoor venue—with great transport links, tons of space, and more than a million visitors a year—it’s perfectly set up for something of this scale.
And scale is definitely the word. You really feel the magnitude of the work—both the original masterpieces and the technological artistry involved in bringing them to life.
Tickets and practical bits
Alongside general entry, there are family tickets and parent-and-child options available, which help keep costs down if you’re bringing the whole crew. The shows run across alternating days, so double-check before booking.
If you’re an art lover, or even if you usually feel a bit intimidated by galleries, these experiences offer something fresh, warm, and surprisingly emotional. I left feeling like I’d met the artists in a new way—through light, colour, movement, and a whole lot of clever technology.
LISTINGS INFORMATION
BEYOND MONET/ BEYOND VAN GOGH
VENUE: Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Newbridge, EH28 8NB.
DATE: Saturday 29 – Friday 2 January 2026 (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)
TIME: Starting from 10am
PRICE: From £23.94 for adults (Concessions are available). VIP entrance from £41.47
Family Ticket, Parent and Child and VIP Experience tickets available
Three and under go Free
(Booking fees not included). | Flexible entry ticket types available
Entry is by timed ticket. No change of date or time is permitted unless you have purchased flexible ticket add on. Please arrive 15 minutes before your entrance time.
VIP Experience includes flexibility to arrive at any point until 4pm on your selected date, fast track entry and choice of selected merchandise package.
Tickets can be booked viawww.beyondvangogh.co.uk/edinburgh
