Our rates are exclusive of VAT and are for venue hire space only. We will work with you to build your event to include catering, audio-visual, event theming and experiences. This approach allows you to create a unique event for your guests with the help of our skilled events professionals.
Your venue hire fee includes:
Exclusive use of National Galleries of Scotland venue hire space
Dedicated member of our team to be your 'in touch' contact
Build your event with our events partners to add:
Catering and bar hire
Audio-visual special equipment
Event dressing or theming
Bespoke event experiences
Our Spaces
Across all four venues for hire at National Galleries of Scotland, we have a variety of spaces on offer to suit your event. Whether its a small meeting with colleagues to a large celebration with friends and family, our competitive venue hire fees allow you to work with our event partners to build your event to include the best in catering, styling and incentives.
Please note that the capacity at some of our venues is temporarily reduced. Check with our Events team to ensure your anticipated numbers can be accommodated.
Modern One | Café and Terrace
The café and beautiful terrace and kitchen garden at Modern One are available to hire in the evenings for parties. This space is ideal for everything from summer barbeques and birthday parties to retirement dinners and buffets.
Capacity: Reception 60, Dinner 50
Rates: £500
Availability: Evenings
Modern Two | Outside Space
If you are contemplating a large scale occasion and want to impress your guests, the outside parkland featuring modern sculptural artworks and wide open lawns is a spectacular location to host your event.
Capacity: Reception 500, Dinner 250
Rates: From £3500
Availability: Evenings
Modern Two | Great Hall
Formerly called the Dean Gallery, Modern Two is situated opposite Modern One. The stunning double-height Great Hall is a wonderful space for drinks or dinners.
Capacity: Reception 60, Dinner 38
Rates: From £950
Availability: Evenings
Modern Two | Gallery Space
The beautiful Gallery Space at Modern Two is available to hire in the evenings for parties. To be surrounded by such inspiring artworks makes for an enlightening experience.
Capacity: Reception 150
Rates: £950
Availability: Evenings
National | Gallery Space
This splendid gallery venue is available for dinners, receptions and exclusive private views. Guests can enjoy champagne, drinks and canapés in wonderful surroundings. Surprise your guests with an additional exclusive private view of the Gallery's treasured art collection in the company of an art expert.
Capacity: Reception 350, Dinner 100
Rates: £3500
National | The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant
Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh's Princes Street Gardens, The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant is available for exclusive evening events catered by restaurateurs Victor & Carina Contini. The restaurant can be transformed into a stunning event space with views overlooking the beautifully lit gardens.
Capacity: Reception 300, Dinner 180
Rates: Available on request
Availability: Evenings and out of hours
National | Royal Scottish Academy Gallery Space
This space can be hired during summer exhibitions, and so includes an exclusive viewing of the artworks as well as a curator's introduction. Guests arrive through the majestic Princes Street entrance and ascend to the Sculpture Hall for the private view.
Capacity: Reception 100
Rates: from £2500
Availability: Evenings and out of hours. Please contact our events team for further details.
Portrait | Great Hall and Ambulatory
With its stained glass windows, incredible astrological ceiling, painted murals and gothic architecture, this space at the Portrait provides a dramatic backdrop.
Capacity (Great Hall): Reception 120, Dinner 50
Capacity (Great Hall and Ambulatory): Reception 150
Capacity (Ambulatory): Banquet 24
Rates: £1250-£2000
Availability: Evenings
Portrait | Ramsay Room
This sumptious gallery space adjoining the Great Hall and Ambulatory, invites guests to dine whilst viewing paintings from the nation's art collection. Consider adding a drinks reception in the Great Hall prior to seating guests for dinner.
Capacity: Dinner 120
Rates: £2500
Availability: Evenings
Portrait | Robertson Room
This spacious and accessible gallery space on the ground level of the Portrait, is very well situated in the centre of Edinburgh just off St Andrews Square. The AK Bell Room is adjacent to this space and could conveniently be used as a breakout or green room. The Robertson Room lends itself well to large drink receptions, talk events, dinners or larger scale workshops.
Capacity: Classroom 100, Dinner 100, Reception 100
Rates: £2000
Availability: Daytime and Evenings
Portrait | Café
This vast space flanked by portraits of Scotland's contemporary icons is transformed from a cafe by day to an impressive setting for special night time events.
Capacity: Reception 80, Dinner 80
Rates: £1500
Availability: Evenings
Portrait | The Library & Print Room
The intriguing library room can be hired for very special dinner or intimate drinks receptions. For an entertaining evening inspired by a thought-provoking interior with its own story to tell, this space is perfect for bespoke event experiences.
Capacity: Reception 30, Dinner 12
Rates: £1000
Availability: Evenings
Terms and conditions
Enquire about an event
Your other events
Business meetings, conferences and lectures
Inspire your delegates with a business event at Scotland’s national art venues, and enhance their experience with the most artistic incentives.
Venues: Modern Two, National, Portrait
Capacity: Up to 190
Rates: £350-£1650
Private parties
Hire our venue for your special private party with friends, family or associates, and ensure your retirement or momentous birthday is never forgotten.
Venues: Modern One, Modern Two, National, Portrait
Capacity: Up to 300
Rates: £250-£1000
100% of all profits support the National Galleries of Scotland
Get in touch
Please get in touch with our team, to talk through your event ideas, arrange a site visit and request rates and options for catering, styling and experiences.
+44 (0)131 624 6216 or +44 (0)131 624 6481
Event experiences
Meet with our curators and expert conservators to create bespoke experiences including gallery tours or informative talks that are entirely unique to our venues.
Venues: National, Modern One, Modern Two, Portrait
Rates: Prices available on request
Get in touch [email protected]