National Galleries of Scotland: Modern

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.

About National Galleries of Scotland: Modern

	73 & 75 Belford Road, Edinburgh West EH4 3DR
	01316246200
	National Galleries of Scotland: Modern Website
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Listed Under Attractions - Art Galleries / Attractions - Days Out

Modern One
Home to all things contemporary. Discover displays, shows and installations from the leading artists of today. Get ready for captivating, light-hearted and all-encompassing experiences.

On arrival at Modern One you will be in awe of the striking land feature in front of the gallery designed by landscape architect Charles Jencks. Explore the grounds and discover further sculptural works by other major artists.

Once you are done delving into the art on display both outdoors and in, you can re-energise at the wonderful Cafe Modern One, famous for its legendary scones.

Modern Two
The wacky and the wonderful. Modern Two’s collection of intriguing artworks shows the departure from traditional styles, in search of new forms and expressions emerging in the late 19th and early 20th century.

Take a journey through experimentation, abstraction, and mind-bending creative explorations. Modern Two is located across the road from Modern One and sits atop its own expansive green space. The gallery building looks out over sculptural works by Dan Graham and Nathan Coley, which do more than just add to the stunning parkland scenery.

Modern Two also benefits from housing restaurant Paolozzi’s Kitchen, named after the Scottish artist Eduardo Paolozzi. Dine beside Paolozzi’s gigantic Vulcan sculpture and treat yourself to fresh, seasonal Italian inspired dishes with a Scottish twist.

Outdoor Sculpture
Both Galleries are set in extensive parkland, where visitors can discover sculpture works by important artists like Ian Hamilton Finlay, Henry Moore, Rachel Whiteread, Richard Long and Nathan Coley. The lawn to the front of Modern One was re-landscaped in 2002 to a design by Charles Jencks. This dramatic work, or ‘landform', comprises a stepped, serpentine mound reflected in three crescent-shaped pools of water. The façade of Modern One is home to Martin’s Creed’s prescient work No. 975, Everything’s Going to be Alright.

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Upcoming Events at National Galleries of Scotland: Modern

Exhibitions

Resistance

21st June 2025 - 4th January 2026

National Galleries of Scotland: Modern, Edinburgh West

Resistance explores how acts of resistance have shaped life in the UK, and the powerful role of photography in documenting and driving change.

Exhibitions

ARTIST ROOMS

12th July 2025 - 31st May 2026

National Galleries of Scotland: Modern, Edinburgh West

Discover three of the biggest names in modern and contemporary art at Modern One this summer with a series of free ARTIST ROOMS displays in Edinburgh.

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!

National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait

1 Queen Street, Edinburgh New Town EH2 1JD

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!

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.

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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

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...

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City Art Centre

2 Market Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1DE

Enjoy a visit to the City Art Centre, a main Edinburgh art gallery with one of the best collections of Scottish art.

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Flamingosaurus Rex

22 Bruntsfield Place EH10 4HN, Edinburgh South EH10 4HN

A dynamic, multi-functional gallery, shop and art space, situated in Edinburgh’s Bruntsfield district.

Art Galleries

National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait

1 Queen Street, Edinburgh New Town EH2 1JD

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!

Art Galleries

Art & Craft Collective

93 Causewayside, Edinburgh South EH9 1QG

The Art & Craft Collective is an art gallery and workshop on the Southside of Edinburgh, showcasing the creations of over 60 artists and crafters!

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.

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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.

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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

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