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.

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

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

Harbour Lane Studio

Harbour Lane NA, South Queensferry EH30 9PT

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

Art Galleries

Dovecot Studios Ltd

10 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1LT

Dovecot is a world-renowned tapestry studio in the heart of Edinburgh and a landmark centre for contemporary art, craft and design!

Art Galleries

Linlithgow Burgh Halls

NA The Cross , Linlithgow EH49 7AH

Linlithgow Burgh Halls has been transformed into a stunning resource that truly has something for everyone.

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

Whitespace

76 East Crosscauseway , Edinburgh South EH8 9HQ

Whitespace is a gallery and venue in Edinburgh that provides space for exhibitions, event and classes, run by artist Leigh Chorlton.

Art Galleries

Upright Gallery

3 Barclay Terrace , Edinburgh South EH10 4HP

Upright Gallery is a small independent gallery run by graphic designer Ian Farmer.

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

Morningside Gallery

94 Morningside Road, Edinburgh South EH10 4BY

We are an Edinburgh Art Gallery, established in 2003 and specialising in contemporary Scottish art, with a focus on painting and ceramics.

Art Galleries

24 Art Gallery

24 Portland Place , Leith EH6 6LA

Welcome to the 24 Art Gallery, the home for collectible and interior artworks by Ukrainian and British artists.

Art Galleries

&Gallery

3 Dundas Street, Edinburgh New Town EH3 6QG

Established in 2017, &Gallery is contemporary visual art gallery located at 3 Dundas Street, in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town and art gallery district.

Art Galleries