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

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.

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

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

Watson Gallery Edinburgh

39 Queen Street, Edinburgh New Town EH2 3NH

Edinburgh's premier high-quality contemporary and investment art gallery, located on Queen Street in the beautiful and historic city of Edinburgh.

Art Galleries

The Scottish Gallery

6 Dundas Street , Edinburgh New Town EH3 6HZ

The Scottish Gallery in Edinburgh is the oldest and largest private Gallery in Scotland.

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

The Sutton Gallery

18A Dundas Street, Edinburgh New Town EH3 6HZ

The Sutton Gallery is based on Dundas Street in Edinburgh's New Town gallery district, specialising in modern British and European art at affordable prices...

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

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

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 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