Modern

Overview

Open daily, 10am–5pm

Free admission

73 & 75 Belford Road, Edinburgh, EH4 3DR

[email protected]

The gallery

One site, two sculpture parks, two galleries and lots for you to discover.

Take a leap forward at the Modern. You will find the many artworks on display to be playful, thought provoking and compelling. Weave your way through two exciting gallery spaces featuring leading artists' works which define the Modern era. Brace yourself for a sensory rollercoaster.

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.

See all exhibitions and displays at Modern One and Two

See all artworks on display at Modern One and Two

Modern One is housed in a neoclassical building, which was designed by William Burn in 1825. Modern Two was originally built in 1833 and in 1999 it was converted into a Gallery.

Read more about this history of the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art

Getting here

Getting here

The Modern is located 15 minutes’ walk from Princes Street. It includes two buildings, Modern One and Modern Two, set in a beautiful sculpture park.

Venue map
  • Open daily, 10am–5pm
  • Open daily, 10am–5pm
73 & 75 Belford Road, Edinburgh, EH4 3DR

Accessibility

Accessibility & facilities

Detailed information on accessibility at the National Galleries of Scotland

Parking for visitors is available at both Modern One and Modern Two. A donation is requested of £5 for up to 4 hours and £9 for 4-8 hours. Our payment meters have contactless capability. There is free accessible parking for blue badge holders.

  • Information desk
  • Wifi
  • Wheelchair access
  • Accessible toilets
  • Changing places toilet
  • Wheelchairs available
  • Public toilets
  • Disabled parking
  • Lockers (£1/£2)
  • Baby changing facilities
  • Buggy park
  • Seating throughout
  • Bike rack
  • Parking
  • Café
About your visit

About your visit

Opening times

Modern One
Gallery Daily, 10am-5pm
Shop Daily, 10am-5pm
Café Modern One Daily, 10am-5pm (last orders 4.30pm)
Changing Places toilet Daily, 9.45am-5.30pm
Car park Daily, 9.45am-5.30pm
Grounds Daily, 6am-7pm


Modern Two
Gallery Daily, 10am-5pm
Shop Daily, 10am-5pm
Paolozzi's Kitchen Daily, 10am-5pm (last orders 4.30pm)
Paolozzi's studio Daily, 10am-5pm
Research facilities Open by appointment
Car park Daily, 9.45am-5.30pm
Grounds Daily, 6am-7pm

Contact

For general enquiries regarding your visit or gallery services:
+44 (0)131 624 6200
[email protected]

Visitor information

Everything you need to know about your visit can be found in our frequently asked questions and our visitor guidelines.

Group visits

Schools and community groups of 10 or more can book free self-led visits to all our galleries.

Modern One BSL introduction

Presented by Trudi Collier, this short welcome film in British Sign Language (BSL) introduces the building and collections of Modern One.

Audio described introduction to Modern One

This audio described introduction to Modern One features descriptions of the building and its layout, information about artworks on display and the facilities available.

Audio described introduction to Modern Two

This audio described introduction to Modern Two features descriptions of the building and its layout, information about artworks on display and the facilities available.

Families

Families

An outstanding collection of modern and contemporary art. Stomp around the sculpture garden and take a peek in Paolozzi's Studio. Have you ever shared a cup of tea with a giant Vulcan?

Find out more

Art Space 2

Our drop-in picnic and play space can be found on Level 2 in Modern One. You can help yourself to art books, big blocks and plenty of materials to make your own masterpieces – or just take a moment to chill out and eat your snacks.

Take part!

Join one of our free, monthly workshops. At the Modern, Under 5s can take part in sculpture-hunting, art-stomping and feel-good making - while our older children can explore their own creativity with Your Art World Saturday morning workshops.

Sensory Walks

Take some time out to explore the grounds, find our six creative prompts, scattered around the sculptures, and listen to a few stories - inspired by sculptures at the Modern.

In the grounds

In the grounds

Explore our grounds with these sculpture guides.

Sculpture park

The grounds of Modern One and Two are home to more than 20 sculptures. Use this map to find them all.

Audio Described Tour | Sculpture Park

Explore the sculpture in the grounds of Modern One and Two, with this audio tour.

Sensory sculpture trail

A series of six creative prompts, around the grounds, to help you experience the artworks with your body, breath, ears, eyes and mind.

Featured exhibitions and displays

Featured exhibitions and displays

Must see
Exhibition

Paolozzi at 100

Modern Two

Until Sun 21 Apr 2024

Open daily, 10am–5pm

Admission free

Must see
Exhibition

Do Ho Suh | Tracing Time

Modern One

Until Sun 1 Sep 2024

Open daily, 10am–5pm

Admission free

Must see
Exhibition

Conversations with the Collection

Modern One

Open daily, 10am–5pm

Admission free

Exhibition Coming Soon

Women in Revolt! Art and Activism in the UK 1970–1990

Modern Two

Sat 25 May 2024 - Sun 26 Jan 2025

Open daily, 10am–5pm

£4 - £14

Featured events

Featured events

Course or workshop

Visually Impaired Programme Live (in gallery) | Celebrating Eduardo Paolozzi

Modern Two

Wed 20 Mar 2024

10:15am - 3:30pm

Free

Booking essential

Course or workshop SOLD OUT

Gallery Social (dementia-friendly) | Do Ho Suh: Tracing Time

Modern One

Fri 22 Mar 2024

10:30 - 10:30am

Free

Booking essential

Course or workshop SOLD OUT

Your Art World

Modern One

Sat 30 Mar 2024

11am - 12:30pm

Free

Booking essential

Drop-in event

Art Stomps | Spring

Modern One

Sat 6 Apr 2024

11am - 12:30pm

Free

Drop in

Restaurants

Cafés and shops

Café Modern One

Open daily, 10am-5pm (last orders 4.30pm).

Pop in and enjoy the plush new decor or the beautiful terrace and garden to the rear of the gallery if it's a sunny day. Offering seasonal tasty salads, deli filled sandwiches, hearty soups, delicious hot dishes and artisanal baking all prepared from scratch on the premises.

 

Paolozzi's Kitchen

Open daily, 10am-5pm (last orders 4.30pm).

Located inside Modern Two and set around Paolozzi’s vast Vulcan sculpture, this is surely one of the more unusual backdrops to lunch, coffee, cake or anything in between! Inspired by the renowned Scottish artist and sculptor, Eduardo Paolozzi, this exciting new restaurant serves Italian classics made with seasonal and local Scottish ingredients.  Come to our counter and try the delicious cakes and freshly baked homemade scones, available all day, every day.
 

Modern One Shop

Open daily, 10am-5pm. +44 (0)131 624 6494

The shops at the Modern stock gifts, books, limited edition prints, stationery, fashion, craft, design and exclusive products featuring well-loved images of artworks from the collection and beyond.

Shop online

Modern Two Shop

Open daily, 10am-5pm. +44 (0)131624 6494

The shops at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art stock gifts, books, limited edition prints, stationery, fashion, craft, design and exclusive products featuring well-loved images of artworks from the collection and beyond.

Shop online
Research facilities

Research facilities

All visitors are welcome to use our research facilities, whether for pleasure or for academic study. Visits are free but must be pre-booked.

Prints and Drawings Study Room at Modern Two

Housing the international and Scottish collections of historic, modern and contemporary works of art on paper, the Prints and Drawings Study Room gives access to over 35,000 works of graphic art not on permanent display.

Reading Room at Modern Two

Home to our library, archive and special collections, the Reading Room is an outstanding resource on the history and theory of art from 1300 to the present. Visitors can access over 100,000 library items, 6,000 artists’ and special books and 140+ archival holdings.

Gabrielle Keiller Library

The Gabrielle Keiller Library was specially designed by the architect Terry Farrell to house two key collections of Dada and Surrealist books and papers acquired in the mid-1990s.

Venue Hire

Venue Hire

Two stylish neo-classical venues for smart evening events with extensive parkland and unique interior artworks. Perfect venues for stylish parties, drinks receptions or product launches.

About us

About us

The National Galleries of Scotland cares for, develops, researches and displays the national collection of Scottish and international art and, with a lively and innovative programme of activities, exhibitions, education and publications, aims to engage, inform and inspire the broadest possible public.