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
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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.

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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

Scottish Storytelling Centre

43 - 45 High Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1SR

The Scottish Storytelling Centre is a vibrant arts venue with a seasonal programme of live storytelling and theatre, music, workshops and festivals.

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

Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop

21 Hawthornvale, Leith EH6 4JT

Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop is a centre for production, research and learning. We support artists in their careers and practice through the provision of space, funding and professional opportunities.

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

EMBASSY Gallery

10B Broughton Street Lane, Edinburgh New Town EH1 3LY

EMBASSY is an artist-led organisation based in Edinburgh. We programme exhibitions, performances, residencies, and events in our gallery space, online and off-site.

Art Galleries

Arusha Gallery

13A Dundas Street , Edinburgh New Town EH3 6QG

Arusha Gallery is an international contemporary gallery established in 2013, with main premises in Edinburgh's historic New Town.

Art Galleries

Agitate

20 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh West EH12 5JZ

Through our gallery, shop and creative events space, we want to change the landscape of photography in Scotland by making it easier for lens-based artists to show and sell their work.

Art Galleries

Detail Framing & Gallery

11 Lochrin Place Tollcross, Edinburgh South EH3 9QX

We work with artists, galleries and collectors, as well as our local community, to provide the best possible framing solution for each artwork and we also showcase emerging Scottish artists.

Art Galleries

Out of the Blue Drill Hall

36 Dalmeny Street, Leith EH6 8RG

Out of the Blue supports artists by providing them with workspace and selling opportunities, enabling them to work as artists, and to connect to the local community to pass their skills onto others.

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

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!

Art Galleries