Everyone is welcome at the National Galleries of Scotland.
Find out how we make our buildings, services and programmes as accessible and inclusive as possible.
Parking and drop off
Modern
You can find accessible parking spaces at both Modern One and Modern Two for blue badge holders. Parking is free for disabled visitors.
At Modern One, there are four disabled parking bays at the front of the building beside the step-free main entrance, and two disabled parking bays in the main car park to the rear of the building next to the Changing Places toilet. There is a drop-off point at the main entrance. Modern One is equipped with two electric car charging points, trickle charge only (as opposed to fast charge).
At Modern Two, there are four disabled parking bays at the rear of the building directly beside the accessible (step-free) entrance. The drop-off point is also to the rear of the Modern Two building adjacent to the accessible entrance and accessible parking.
National
There is no car park, but there is a drop-off point on the mound precinct which is the large, paved area just off the mound in the front of the historic National Gallery building. There is parking close by including for those with a blue badge.
Portrait
Cars (but not larger vehicles) with blue badges are permitted to park in the back lane of the Portrait as long as they avoid access points and fire exits (which are marked with double yellow lines). The Highway Code applies.
The nearest designated parking bays for blue badge holders are on West Register Street and St James Place. These are a 5-8 min walk to the Portrait.
The drop off point for disabled visitors is in the one-way lane (North St Andrew Lane) behind the Portrait. This is accessed from North St David Street. Visitors are requested to press the buzzer on the second door along the back of the building (labelled Groups Entrance) and a member of staff will come and greet you.
Accessible parking at Modern One
Entrances
Modern
The main entrance of Modern One is accessed by a permanent ramp or flight of 3 steps. The front door is manually opened. During opening hours, a member of our gallery team will be happy to open the front door. There is also a doorbell which visitors may use.
The main entrance of Modern Two is accessed by a flight of 5 steps, leading to a manually opened door, or you can use the step-free/accessible entrance to the rear of the building adjacent to the disabled parking bays. This door is manually opened. If you require assistance, please press the buzzer.
National
The main entrance of the National is situated in East Princes Street Gardens. From the paved area of the mound precinct and the accessible parking spaces, it is accessed via a step-free, gentle winding pathway measuring approximately 200 metres, or via a flight of 29 steps.
There are two smaller, ramped entrances on the mound precinct itself, adjacent to the accessible parking space. The accessible rear entrance of the Academy building has a lift that can take you directly down to level 1 information point and facilities. The mound entrance leads directly into the historic National Gallery building on Level 3. The partial Changing Places toilet is located on this level (available from the 30th September).
Portrait
The main entrance of the Portrait is accessed by 4 steps or a permanent ramp. During opening hours, a member of our gallery team is always at the entrance to welcome you and open the front door.
Tickets
Entry to the galleries is free. For paid exhibitions, concessions are available for disabled visitors. Carers accompanying visitors with disabilities can enter exhibitions free of charge.
Information desks
There are information desks at the National, Portrait and at Modern One.
Visitors to Modern Two who are in need of assistance will find a member of staff near the front entrance or may ring a bell for assistance at the (step-free) accessible rear entrance.
The information desk at the Portrait
Toilets and Changing Places toilet
There are accessible toilets at all our sites. Maps showing the location of our toilets can be found on each of the venue pages.
At Modern One there is a full Changing Places Toilet in the rear car park that is open every day from 9.45am–5.30pm, a key is not required.
At the National there is a partial Changing Places Toilet on level 3. This is open 10am-5pm, a key is not required (available from the 30th September).
Changing Places toilet (exterior)
Lifts
There are lifts with audio announcements, step-free and wheelchair access at all of our galleries. Please note that the upstairs rooms at the National, including our Impressionism & French Modernism, display are closed for refurbishment. We aim to reopen these spaces in the summer of 2023.
Wheelchairs and mobility scooters
Wheelchairs are available to borrow free of charge. For questions or assistance, please approach any staff member.
We have an area to charge mobility scooters and battery powered wheelchairs at each gallery. Please ask a member of staff and they will be happy to assist you.
Seating
There is seating throughout the galleries. We also provide portable stools which are situated on racks on every floor of the gallery.
Lockers and buggy parks
Coin operated lockers are available at all sites to store your bags. Buggies are welcomed as are baby carriers. There are buggy parks at all sites. At the National, the buggy park is coin operated (available from the 30th September).
Staff
Most staff have received equalities awareness training, dementia awareness training, visual impairment awareness training, and Deaf awareness training. Most front of house staff at the Modern have also received training from PAMIS on disability awareness and on Changing Places Toilets.
Guide and assistance dogs
Guide dogs, hearing dogs and assistance dogs are welcome at all of our galleries. Emotional support dogs with an identifying lead or harness, are also welcome.
Outdoor toilet areas for assistance dogs have been identified each gallery. Please ask a member of staff. Please ensure that any animal waste is disposed of in nearby dustbins.
The area to the side of the Portrait that can be used for dog toileting.
The grassy areas in the grounds of the Modern can be used for dog toileting.
Visually impaired access
Guide and assistance dogs are welcome at all our galleries.
There are lifts to all floors. All lifts in the galleries have audio announcements.
Large print labels are available for all displays at the Portrait and for special exhibitions at the Portrait, Modern One, Modern Two and the National.
At the Portrait and Modern One - large print labels are available for all displays and special exhibitions.
At the National - large print labels are available for displays on levels 2 and 4 and for all special exhibitions (available from 30th September).
At Modern Two - large print labels are available for all special exhibitions.
Download Smartify to access audio descriptive tours, large print labels and get more information about artworks during your visit. Users who have set their phone accessibility settings to display large text or text to speech will be able to access information about the collection using the app.
Enjoy audio described introductions to the National as well as Modern One, Modern Two and the Modern sculpture park, featuring descriptions of the buildings and their layout, information about artworks on display and the facilities available. Please note that the new Scottish galleries at the National will open to the public on 30th September.
Events and resources:
To find out about events and art resources that have been created specifically with and for people with a visual impairment, please follow this link below
Visual Impairment | National Galleries of Scotland
or contact the Learning and Engagement Team on [email protected] or 0131 624 6410.
Deaf and hearing loss access
Portable hearing loops are available for public talks and lectures. These are free of charge and do not need to be booked.
All in-gallery videos are subtitled. Where this is not possible, e.g. for some art films, transcripts will be provided.
You can also watch these short videos in BSL that introduce our venues to help you plan your visit to the Portrait, Modern One and Modern Two.
Portrait
Modern One
Modern Two
Events and resources:
To find out more information about our Deaf-led tours in British Sign Language (BSL) as well as resources created for visitors with BSL as a first or preferred language, please visit
British Sign Language | National Galleries of Scotland
or contact the Learning and Engagement Team on [email protected].
Dementia-friendly access
We have received special recognition from Alzheimer Scotland as a dementia friendly venue. The majority of front of house staff have received training in dementia awareness and are ‘dementia friends.’
Please speak to a member of the gallery staff if you need help finding a calmer space during your visit.
Events and resources:
We programme a range of inspiring tours, workshops, concerts and more, designed with and for people living with dementia. To find out more information please visit
Dementia-friendly | National Galleries of Scotland
or contact the Learning and Engagement Team on [email protected] or 0131 624 6410.
Autism, learning disability and sensory-friendly access
Please speak to a member of the gallery staff if you need help finding a calmer space during your visit.
We provide sensory maps of the Portrait, Modern One and Modern Two to help visitors identify areas with changes in light, smells and noise. They locate permanent seating areas and less crowded, quieter spaces.
These short videos introduce our venues to help you plan your visit to the Portrait, Modern One and Modern Two.
Portrait
Modern One
Modern Two
Events and resources:
To find out more information about sensory-friendly events and resources created for and with autistic visitors, visitors with learning disabilities and those with additional sensory needs in mind, please visit
Sensory-friendly | National Galleries of Scotland
or contact the Learning and Engagement Team on [email protected] or 0131 624 6410.
Group visits
We welcome group visits to the gallery including schools, students, and adults. Community and access groups are invited to explore Scotland’s national collection for free through guided or self-led visits and free entry to all ticketed exhibitions (restrictions apply). For more information, please visit our group visits page.
A guided tour and workshop
Construction work at the National
During construction work being undertaken at the National, there have been some changes to the building which affect access and facilities.
The drop-off point and the disabled parking spaces on the Mound precinct at the National are currently not in operation due to construction work. There is parking close by including for those with a blue badge.
Our floor plans contain up-to-date details of entrances, facilities and room closures.
The upstairs rooms at the National, including our Impressionism & French Modernism display, are closed for refurbishment. We aim to reopen these spaces in the summer of 2023.
Contact us
If you would like additional information about access at the National Galleries of Scotland, please contact [email protected] or 0131 624 6200.
To recieve information or regular updates about our access events and activities, please contact the Learning and Engagement Team on [email protected] or 0131 624 6410.