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

The World of King James VI and I

26th April 2025 - 14th September 2025

National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait, Edinburgh New Town

Marking the 400-year anniversary of King James’s death, this exhibition will chart his remarkable reign through stories of friendship, family, feuds and ambition.

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

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

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

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

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

Graystone Gallery

52 Hamilton Place, Stockbridge EH3 5AX

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

Stills

23 Cockburn Street , Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1BP

Stills is a centre for photography based in the heart of Edinburgh. We offer exhibitions and production facilities as well as a range of engagement opportunities...

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

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