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

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

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.

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

Gallery 23

23 Atholl Cresent, Edinburgh West EH3 8HQ

We aim to foster new connections by bringing together the artist and the viewer in a diverse new environment.Our mission is to develop an understanding...

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

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

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

Reconnect Howden Park

Howden Park Centre Howden, Livingston EH54 6AE

West Lothian's most exciting venue for arts, music, theatre, comedy, dance, exhibitions, classes and food.

Art Galleries

Hill Street Design House

3 Hill Street, Edinburgh New Town EH2 3JP

A much needed creative addition to Edinburgh's historic New Town, Hill Street Design House provides eight grand studios, over four floors, resided by...

Art Galleries

Coburg House Art Studios

15 Coburg St, Leith EH6 6ET

Coburg House Art Studios is a gallery, shop and artist studio space, home to a thriving hub of artists, designers and makers in the heart of Edinburgh's Leith.

Art Galleries