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

Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery

Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery High Street, Dunbar EH42 1ER

Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery: the Town House has been the focus of town life since the 16th century.

Art Galleries

Royal Scottish Academy

Royal Scottish Academy The Mound, Edinburgh Old Town EH2 2EL

The RSA runs a year-round programme of exhibitions, artist opportunities and related educational talks and events which support artists at all stages of their careers.

Art Galleries

Gallery Close

4B Howe Street, Edinburgh New Town EH3 6TD

Gallery-Close Photography Gallery is a friendly gallery that showcases photographic work from various genres, from portraits of rock stars to landscapes.

Art Galleries

Wasps Patriothall

Patriothall Studio off 48 Hamilton Place, Stockbridge and Canonmills EH3 5AY

Patriothall Gallery is an Artist led gallery run by the artists in the WASPS Patriothall Complex.

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

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

Upright Gallery

3 Barclay Terrace , Edinburgh South EH10 4HP

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

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

Dundas Street Gallery

6A Dundas Street, Edinburgh New Town EH3 6HZ

The Dundas Street Gallery is a rental space situated in a prime Edinburgh city centre location. It is available to hire by the week.

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

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

McNaughtans Bookshop and Gallery

3a & 4a Haddington Place, Edinburgh New Town EH7 4AE

McNaughtan's Bookshop, established in 1957, is a second-hand and antiquarian bookshop in central Edinburgh, probably the longest established business of its kind in Scotland.

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