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

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

Baskwell Arts

18 Spey Street Lane , Leith EH7 4PZ

Baskwell Arts brings you highly cherishable art and craft objects from the european and british makers we love.

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

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

Graystone Gallery

52 Hamilton Place, Stockbridge EH3 5AX

Welcome to Graystone Gallery – An exciting new fine art destination for Edinburgh.

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

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

Custom Lane

1 Customs Wharf, Leith EH6 6AL

Custom Lane is a centre for design and making comprised of studio/workspaces, a gallery, event space and community workshop run by Edinburgh Tool Library

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

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

Studio Bizio

20a Raeburn Place, Stockbridge EH4 1HN

Studio Bizio is Photography Gallery based in Edinburgh, Specialising in 20th Century & Contemporary Photography but with occasional forays into other...

Art Galleries