National Galleries of Scotland: Modern

Home to Scotland's outstanding national collection of modern and contemporary art, the National Galleries of Scotland includes two buildings, Modern One and Modern Two.

About National Galleries of Scotland: Modern

	73 & 75 Belford Road, Edinburgh West EH4 3DR
	01316246200
	National Galleries of Scotland: Modern Website
	Follow NatGalleriesSco on Twitter
	Facebook information can be found here
	Follow natgalleriessco on Instagram

Listed Under Attractions - Art Galleries / Attractions - Days Out

Modern One
Home to all things contemporary. Discover displays, shows and installations from the leading artists of today. Get ready for captivating, light-hearted and all-encompassing experiences.

On arrival at Modern One you will be in awe of the striking land feature in front of the gallery designed by landscape architect Charles Jencks. Explore the grounds and discover further sculptural works by other major artists.

Once you are done delving into the art on display both outdoors and in, you can re-energise at the wonderful Cafe Modern One, famous for its legendary scones.

Modern Two
The wacky and the wonderful. Modern Two’s collection of intriguing artworks shows the departure from traditional styles, in search of new forms and expressions emerging in the late 19th and early 20th century.

Take a journey through experimentation, abstraction, and mind-bending creative explorations. Modern Two is located across the road from Modern One and sits atop its own expansive green space. The gallery building looks out over sculptural works by Dan Graham and Nathan Coley, which do more than just add to the stunning parkland scenery.

Modern Two also benefits from housing restaurant Paolozzi’s Kitchen, named after the Scottish artist Eduardo Paolozzi. Dine beside Paolozzi’s gigantic Vulcan sculpture and treat yourself to fresh, seasonal Italian inspired dishes with a Scottish twist.

Outdoor Sculpture
Both Galleries are set in extensive parkland, where visitors can discover sculpture works by important artists like Ian Hamilton Finlay, Henry Moore, Rachel Whiteread, Richard Long and Nathan Coley. The lawn to the front of Modern One was re-landscaped in 2002 to a design by Charles Jencks. This dramatic work, or ‘landform', comprises a stepped, serpentine mound reflected in three crescent-shaped pools of water. The façade of Modern One is home to Martin’s Creed’s prescient work No. 975, Everything’s Going to be Alright.

We take every opportunity to ensure the details for National Galleries of Scotland: Modern are accurate, if any of the above information is incorrect we would appreciate if you could take a minute to suggest an edit.

All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.

Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Edinburgh? Just hit 'Like' on our What's On Edinburgh Facebook page, join the What's On Scotland Facebook Group and 'Follow' on our @WhatOnEdinburgh Twitter or Instagram accounts and you're all set!

Upcoming Events at National Galleries of Scotland: Modern

Exhibitions

Resistance

21st June 2025 - 4th January 2026

National Galleries of Scotland: Modern, Edinburgh West

Resistance explores how acts of resistance have shaped life in the UK, and the powerful role of photography in documenting and driving change.

Exhibitions

ARTIST ROOMS

12th July 2025 - 30th November 2025

National Galleries of Scotland: Modern, Edinburgh West

Discover three of the biggest names in modern and contemporary art at Modern One this summer with a series of free ARTIST ROOMS displays in Edinburgh.

National Galleries of Scotland: National

Scottish National Gallery The Mound, Edinburgh Old Town EH2 2EL

The Scottish National Gallery is one of Scotland's top free visitor attractions. It is made up of three interconnected buildings, right in the heart of Edinburgh!

National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait

1 Queen Street, Edinburgh New Town EH2 1JD

The Scottish National Portrait Gallery is one of Edinburgh's most remarkable buildings – a great red sandstone neo-gothic palace which sits proudly on the city's skyline!

Art Galleries

Scot ART

151 London Road, Edinburgh East EH7 6AE

A Scotland based arts charity, creating places for creative people.

Art Galleries

Edinburgh Printmakers

Castle Mills 1 Dundee Street , Edinburgh East EH3 9FP

Edinburgh Printmakers is a centre for printmaking and the visual arts in Fountainbridge.

Art Galleries

Seashore Gallery

Seashore Gallery Marshall Street, Cockenzie EH32 OHT

Seashore Gallery is a popular, friendly art gallery, studio and gift shop by the sea. It is located in the small fishing village of Cockenzie & Port Seton...

Art Galleries

The Atelier Gallery

5 5 Howard Street, Stockbridge and Canonmills EH3 5JP

A Studio, Workshop and Gallery ATELIER facilitates the creation, presentation and promotion of Original Art.

Art Galleries

Natami

13 London Road , Edinburgh East EH7 5AP

natami art gallery opened in 2019. The gallery is at the centre of the artists hub known as The Colony of Artists.

Art Galleries

Stills

23 Cockburn Street , Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1BP

Stills is a centre for photography based in the heart of Edinburgh. We offer exhibitions and production facilities as well as a range of engagement opportunities...

Art Galleries