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

&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

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 Atelier Gallery

5 5 Howard Street, Stockbridge and Canonmills EH3 5JP

A Studio, Workshop and Gallery ATELIER facilitates the creation, presentation and promotion of Original Art.

Art Galleries

Stick Factory

69 Mayfield Road, Edinburgh South EH9 3AA

Stickfactory Creative is a multifaceted team of artists, designers and builders.

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

Coburg House Art Studios

15 Coburg St, Leith EH6 6ET

Coburg House Art Studios is a gallery, shop and artist studio space, home to a thriving hub of artists, designers and makers in the heart of Edinburgh's Leith.

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

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.

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

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

Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop

21 Hawthornvale, Leith EH6 4JT

Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop is a centre for production, research and learning. We support artists in their careers and practice through the provision of space, funding and professional opportunities.

Art Galleries