National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait

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!

About National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait

	1 Queen Street, Edinburgh New Town EH2 1JD
	01316246200
	National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait Website
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Listed Under Attractions - Art Galleries / Attractions - Days Out

A neo-Gothic palace dedicated to exploring various aspects of the Scottish story, this gallery is a hidden gem right at the heart of Edinburgh. The art tells you stories of the land and its people, through the medium of imagery.

Meet with friends in the welcoming Café Portrait. Find other familiar faces when you discover contemporary portraits of pop culture icons like Billy Connolly, Emeli Sandé and Tilda Swinton in the galleries above. You will spot recent pioneers in science, sport and the arts and sit alongside famous historical figures such as Mary Queen of Scots, Robert Burns and Charles Edward Stuart.

The gallery is decorated in elaborate murals and sculptural embellishments inside and out - really, take time to look up at the Zodiac ceiling in the world-famous Great Hall. Seriously, it is like 2,000 golden stars and 47 constellations! Bedazzling.

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Upcoming Events at National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait

Exhibitions

Alfred Buckham: Daredevil Photographer

18th October 2025 - 19th April 2026

National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait, Edinburgh New Town

Take to the skies and discover the world from above the clouds through the remarkable work of Alfred Buckham: Daredevil Photographer at the National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait.

Shopping

Tea Green Winter Market: National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait

22nd November 2025 - 23rd November 2025

National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait, Edinburgh New Town

Join Tea Green for an unforgettable Winter Market at the National Galleries Scotland: Portrait on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd November!

National Galleries of Scotland: Modern

73 & 75 Belford Road, Edinburgh West EH4 3DR

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.

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

Stick Factory

69 Mayfield Road, Edinburgh South EH9 3AA

Stickfactory Creative is a multifaceted team of artists, designers and builders.

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

Colinton Arts

52 Bridge Road, Edinburgh South EH13 0LQ

Colinton Arts, established in 1981, is an Edinburgh-based, family run Gallery and Framer serving Edinburgh and the central belt of Scotland.

Art Galleries

Powderhall Bronze Editions

4-5 Summer Place, Stockbridge EH3 5NR

Powderhall Bronze Editions is a contemporary fine art gallery situated in the Canonmills area of Edinburgh, near to the Royal Botanical Gardens.

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

Harbour Lane Studio

Harbour Lane NA, South Queensferry EH30 9PT

Harbour Lane is a Studio and Gallery run by Tori Gray.

Art Galleries

Fruitmarket

45 Market Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1DF

A free, public space for culture in the heart of Edinburgh, the Fruitmarket provides inspiration and opportunity for artists and audiences.

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

Collective Edinburgh

City Observatory 38 Calton Hill, Edinburgh New Town EH7 5AA

Collective brings people together around new art, inspiring fresh ways of looking, questioning and thinking from our unique home on Calton Hill, Edinburgh.

Art Galleries