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

Jupiter Artland

Jupiter Artland Bonnington House Steadings, Wilkieston EH27 8BB

Set within the picturesque 80 acre estate of Bonnington House, arts organisation Jupiter Artland is the brainchild of Nicky and Robert Wilson!

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

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

Upright Gallery

3 Barclay Terrace , Edinburgh South EH10 4HP

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

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

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

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

The Scottish Gallery

16 Dundas Street , Edinburgh New Town EH3 6HZ

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

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