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.

Shopping

Tea Green Winter Market: National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait

22nd November 2025 - 23rd November 2025

National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait, Edinburgh New Town

Join Tea Green for an unforgettable Winter Market at the National Galleries Scotland: Portrait on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd November!

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

Upright Gallery

3 Barclay Terrace , Edinburgh South EH10 4HP

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

Art Galleries

Agitate

20 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh West EH12 5JZ

Through our gallery, shop and creative events space, we want to change the landscape of photography in Scotland by making it easier for lens-based artists to show and sell their work.

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

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

Fruitmarket

45 Market Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1DF

A free, public space for culture in the heart of Edinburgh, the Fruitmarket provides inspiration and opportunity for artists and audiences.

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

Summerhall

1 Summerhall , Edinburgh South EH9 1PL

Summerhall, Edinburgh’s biggest arts venue, is open to the public all year round.

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

Collective Edinburgh

City Observatory 38 Calton Hill, Edinburgh New Town EH7 5AA

Collective brings people together around new art, inspiring fresh ways of looking, questioning and thinking from our unique home on Calton Hill, Edinburgh.

Art Galleries

Open Eye Gallery

34 Abercromby Place, Edinburgh New Town EH3 6QE

The Open Eye Gallery offers an extensive and varied exhibition programme of Scottish contemporary painting, printmaking and applied arts throughout the year.

Art Galleries