
You are here 2020
This exhibition explores some of the issues facing Scotland right now via stories, portraits and ideas about the future submitted by people across the nation.
Closed until at least 14 February
Admission free | Advance booking required
In line with Scottish Government restrictions the Scottish National Portrait Gallery is closed until 1 February. Please be aware that if you book a ticket beyond this date we may need to cancel or reschedule your ticket if the dates on restrictions are extended.
We have signed up to the Good to Go scheme to show we are committed to meeting current Scottish Government health and safety standards for our buildings and staff.
A full accessibility guide is available at www.accessibilityguides.org.
We provide a sensory map of the building to help visitors identify areas with changes in light, smells and noise. It locates seating areas and less crowded, quieter spaces. Printed copies are available from the front desk at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.
Located in the city centre on Queen Street, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery is easy to access.
In addition to the transport options below there are bike racks at each site and Just Eat Cycle Hire stations nearby.
Donations may be administered by the National Galleries of Scotland Foundation (No. SCO43024). This has been set-up to support five key areas for the National Galleries of Scotland: Acquisitions, Exhibitions, Education, Conservation, and Access and Audiences.
National Galleries of Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland (No. SCO03728).
The Modern Portrait and Library on the first floor remain closed.
This exhibition explores some of the issues facing Scotland right now via stories, portraits and ideas about the future submitted by people across the nation.
This dramatic display considers the Jacobites - those loyal to the deposed Stuart dynasty at home and abroad.
Subtitled Nation, Migration, Globalisation 1760-1860 this display explores the lives and careers of the Scots behind this period of dramatic change.
This display explores the Scottish experience of Italy in the eighteenth-century, the period when fascination with the country reached its height.
At the beginning of the sixteenth century Scotland was a Catholic state governed by the Stewart dynasty. By the close of the seventeenth century the monarchy, church and parliament had all changed drastically.
This exhibition re-examines some major Scottish figures, from Thomas Carlyle to Andrew Carnegie, raises questions about the nature of hero-worship and the values that were upheld by our Victorian forebears. Women artists, scientists, writers and suffragists provide a strong female presence.
At the centre of this display is the intriguing and gory painting of the Execution of Charles I by an unknown Dutch artist.
Focussing on the two 17th-century artists Adrian Vanson and Adam de Colone, this small exhibition presents the findings of a collaborative research project.
Admission is via a ticketed entry system which must be booked in advance online only.
We have instituted a programme of deep cleaning of the Galleries and will have staff onsite cleaning all touch points throughout the day.
To keep you safe, one-way routes are in place throughout the Galleries.
We are asking all visitors to adhere to current physical distancing rules.
In line with Government guidelines, we are asking all visitors over the age of 5 to bring and wear a face covering. Our staff will be wearing face coverings.
Hand sanitiser is available in key areas, along with increased cleaning regimes in toilets and other high use areas.
We are limiting the number of visitors coming into our galleries via timed visitor slots. We hope that this will make you feel safe when re-engaging with much-loved artworks.
If you or anyone you live with displays symptoms associated with COVID-19, please delay your visit until it is safe to do so.
Download Smartify to access our highlights tour, large print labels and get more information about the artworks during your visit.
Friends of the Galleries get free unlimited entry to all exhibitions, and enjoy a wide range of exclusive benefits including early exhibition access, special events and 10% discount in our cafes.
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