Together the galleries display Scotland’s national collection of Scottish and international art.
Scottish National Gallery
The National Galleries of Scotland consists of three outstanding exhibition spaces in Edinburgh.
They are:
- Scottish National Gallery
- Scottish National Portrait Gallery
- Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
There are also two partner galleries, Duff House in Aberdeenshire and Paxton House in the Scottish Borders.
Research facilities
In addition to display space, The National Galleries of Scotland has research facilities and storage units across Edinburgh where visitors can see items not on display. Access is free and by appointment.
Other resources include a library and print room, a prints and drawings study room and a reading room. Access is free and by appointment.
See the National Galleries research facilities web page for full details.
Three National Galleries of Scotland
Scottish National Gallery
Founded in 1859, nine years after Price Albert laid the foundation stone, the Scottish National Gallery, neoclassical in style, encompasses the – National Gallery building and the Royal Scottish Academy building.
Designed by William Playfair, there are three floors that show artwork from the Renaissance to the 20th century.
Some the many displays visitors will find are:
- Dutch and Flemish Art 1600-1700
- Gothic/Renaissance 1300-1550
- Italian Renaissance 1470-1600
- Post-Impressionism
- Scottish Art 1670-1840
- Southern Baroque 1580-1680
Among the artists, whose work is on show, are Scots: Alan Ramsay, David Wilkie, Alexander Nasmyth, Sir Henry Raeburn and Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
From Europe, there are masterpieces from Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, Diego Velázquez, Paul Gauguin, Johannes Vermeer and many more.
Alongside the permanent collections there are also prestigious special events and exhibitions held throughout the year.
The Scottish Cafe and Restaurant
The Scottish Cafe and Restaurant, located at the Princes Street Garden entrance of the building, is privately owned by well-known Edinburgh restaurateurs Victor and Carina Contini.
Committed to using local ingredients, wherever possible, the restaurant has a range of dishes, with lots of Scottish classics to tempt their diners. There are also a vegan and a children’s menu.
The gift shop features a range of art-inspired gifts, books, homeware, toys and fashion items.
Entry is free.
Visitor Information
Please see the gallery website for visitor information.
The Scottish National Gallery
The Mound
Edinburgh
EH2 2EL
Great Hall Scottish National Portrait Gallery
Edinburgh National Portrait Gallery
The Scottish National Portrait Gallery, which houses the National Photography Collection owes its existence to David Erskine, 11th Earl of Buchan.
It was this 18th century founder of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland (1780) whose collection of portraits of famous Scots became the basis of the national portrait collection.
However, it was John Ritchie Findlay, the chief proprietor of The Scotsman newspaper who paid for the construction of the gallery which opened for business in 1889. Sir Robert Rowand Anderson, the designer of the Edinburgh Medical Schools, was the architect.
It was the world’s first purpose-built portrait gallery.
The building was renovated between 2009 and 2011, creating more display space while returning the building to its former Victorian glory.
One commentator said, “It celebrates the history of Scotland and the Scots who have inspired and changed the world.”
Outside, above the door, are two coats of arms of Scotland, one from the 14th century and the other from the 19th century. Statues of two of Scotland’s greatest heroes – William Wallace and Robert the Bruce guard the entrance.
The Great Hall is home to the portraits of some of Scotland’s best-known historical figures including: David Hume, Robert the Bruce, Sir Walter Scott, Robert Burns and some of the Stuart monarchs.
The magnificent decorative frieze that winds its way around the upper balustrade of the Great Hall displays a procession of important figures in Scottish history, not just Scots, stretching, in chronological order, from the 19th century to early man.
Among the figures are: Kenneth Mac Alpin, the first king of Scots; St Columba, founder of a monastery on Iona; St Ninian, Christian missionary; Macbeth, king of Scots; David Livingstone, explorer; Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun, the patriot.
At the heart of the frieze is a figure of Caledonia, a representation of Scotland, drawing back a curtain to reveal a starry night.
The ceiling decorations continue the theme with a depiction of the night sky in the northern hemisphere.
On the east wall of the hall, an elaborately framed portrait of John Ritchie Findlay takes pride of place.
The Great Hall is without doubt a hugely thought-provoking space.
The Jacobite Room
The Visual Culture of the Jacobite Cause is an exhibition dedicated to the Jacobites (supporters of James VII and II). It’s the largest and most significant collection in the world on the topic and continues the Scottish history theme.
All the key figures involved in the Jacobite movement are represented, as are some of the most important events like the Battle of Glenshiel in 1719 when Jacobite forces were defeated by a government army.
While Scotland’s history and the men and women who have made their mark play an important part in the various exhibitions there are plenty of contemporary figures, some better known than others whose likenesses adorn the gallery walls.
Along with an exciting range of permanent collections, there are special events and visiting exhibitions throughout the year.
There is a busy and popular cafe and gift shop.
Entrance is free.
Visitor Information
Please see the gallery website for visitor information.
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
1 Queen Street
Edinburgh
EH2 1JD
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
Housed in an imposing neo-classical building designed by William Burn in 1825, The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art has two galleries, Modern One and Modern Two. It’s also home to the Photography Gallery, the Victorian Library and the Prints and Drawings Study Room.
Formerly a school it opened at its present site in 1984.
Their collection of modern and contemporary art includes:
- Beyond Realism: Dada and Surrealism
- Abstract Art Between the Wars
- Cubism
- Expressive art in the Early 20th Century
- The Business of Pop
Among the many artists whose work is on show are Tracey Emin’s Roman Standard and Eduardo Paolizzi’s Master of the Universe.
Scottish National Gallery of Modern art: sculpture park
The beautiful grounds are the perfect setting for their sculpture park which has works from Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth and many more.
It was Charles Jencks who designed the landscaped lawn with, “serpentine-shaped mounds complemented by crescent-shaped pools of water” to create Landform Ueda.
The popular Café Portrait offers visitors a delicious menu of Scottish classic dishes. It’s perfect for lunch or just a coffee break.
There is of course a shop that stocks a range of Scottish gifts, books, craft and design items.
Entrance is free but donations are always appreciated.
Visitor Information
Please see the gallery website for visitor information.
Scottish National Gallery of Modern art
75 Belford Road
Edinburgh
EH4 3DR
National Galleries of Scotland – Partners
Duff House
Duff House, Banff, Aberdeenshire is a magnificent William Adam designed 18th century baroque mansion.
Originally designed for Lord Braco, 1st Earl of Fife the house is now a Historic Environment Scotland (HES) property with what can only be called a varied history.
Unsurprisingly, alongside some of the original content, the house has a collection of art from the National Galleries of Scotland.
Paxton House
Paxton House, a few miles south of Berwick-upon-Tweed in the Scottish Borders, is a beautiful Palladian house built by Patrick Home between 1758 and 1795.
While some of Home’s original paintings remain on show the collection is enhanced by works from the National Galleries of Scotland.
