Must see
Exhibition
Pin-Ups | Toulouse-Lautrec and the Art of Celebrity
National
Until Sun 20 Jan 2019
Open daily, 10am-5pm, Thursdays until 7pm
£10.00
Situated in the heart of Edinburgh, the Scottish National Gallery is home to one of the best collections of fine art in the world.
Open daily, 10am-5pm, Thursdays until 7pm
Free admission | Charge for some exhibitions
The Mound, Edinburgh, EH2 2EL
The Gallery
The Scottish National Gallery displays some of the greatest art in the world, including masterpieces by Botticelli, Raphael, Titian, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Constable, Turner, Monet, Van Gogh and Gauguin, amongst many others. The most comprehensive part of the collection covers the history of Scottish painting – all the major names, including Ramsay, Raeburn, Wilkie and McTaggart, are represented.
The Scottish National Gallery comprises both the National Gallery Building and the Royal Scottish Academy Building. Both of these buildings, designed by William Henry Playfair, stand in the heart of Edinburgh. Although originally built as separate structures, their histories have long been intertwined, and, since 2004, they have been physically connected by the underground Gardens Level.
Gallery Bus
Our Gallery Bus takes visitors to all three galleries. Starting at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art the bus runs a circular route to the Scottish National Portrait Gallery and the Scottish National Gallery. A voluntary donation of £1 is required. The bus drops off, but does not pick up at the Portrait Gallery.
| Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art | Scottish National Portrait Gallery (drop off only) | Scottish National Gallery |
|---|---|---|
| 11am | 11:15am | 11:30am |
| 12 noon | 12:15pm | 12:30pm |
| 2pm | 2:15pm | 2:30pm |
| 3pm | 3:15pm | 3:30pm |
| 4pm | 4:15pm | 4:30pm |
Accessibility & facilities
In order to protect our vulnerable works of art from any kind of accidental damage we kindly ask all visitors to either carry their rucksack/backpack by hand or place it in a locker.
The disabled parking bays are currently not in use.
From mid-December until the completion of the project, there will be no disabled access to rooms 14, 17 and 18 where we show 19th and early 20th Century Art, including Scottish Art, Impressionism and Post-Impressionism. Find out more.
We apologise for any inconvenience the above changes may cause.
Admissions
Cost
Free admission | Charge for some exhibitions
Opening times
Open daily, 10am - 5pm, Thursday until 7 pm
Contact
For general enquiries regarding your visit or gallery services:
+44 (0)131 624 6200
enquiries@nationalgalleries.org
Groups of 10 or more
We are currently unable to take group bookings at the Scottish National Gallery due to an ambitious project to dramatically improve the way we present Scotland's art . There is a full activity schedule at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery and Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art .
Featured exhibitions and displays
Display
Scottish Art 1670 — 1840
National
Until Fri 28 Feb 2020
Open daily, 10am-5pm, Thursdays until 7pm
Free
Display
Italian Renaissance 1470 — 1600
National
Until Wed 30 Sep 2020
Open daily, 10am-5pm, Thursdays until 7pm
Free
Exhibition
Coming Soon
Turner in January
National
Tue 1 Jan 2019 - Thu 31 Jan 2019
Open daily, 10am-5pm, Thursdays until 7pm
Free
Featured events
Course
Life Drawing
National
Sat 15 Dec 2018
10am - 12 noon
£16.00
+11 other sessions
Tour
Christmas Tour of the National Gallery
National
Sat 15 Dec
2-2:45pm & 3-3:45pm
Free
+1 other sessions
Drop-in event
Still Life Drawing in the Gallery
National
Fri 21 Dec 2018
10:30am - 12:30pm
Free
+7 other sessions
Cafés & shops
The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant
Monday-Saturday: 9am-5pm
Thursday: 9am-7pm
Sunday: 10am-5pm +44 (0)131 225 1550 thescottishcafe@contini.com
Thursday: 9am-7pm
Sunday: 10am-5pm +44 (0)131 225 1550 thescottishcafe@contini.com
Celebrating the very best ingredients from Scottish producers and growers, The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant offers delicious, fresh, simple, good value food in a beautiful setting.
We are delighted that The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant has been 'hitlisted' by the List Eating & Driking Guide 2018/19 as one of the best places to eat of its kind in Edinburgh.
Garden Café
Monday-Saturday: 9am-5pm
Thursday: 9am-7pm
Sunday: 10am-5pm +44 (0)131 225 1550 thescottishcafe@contini.com
Thursday: 9am-7pm
Sunday: 10am-5pm +44 (0)131 225 1550 thescottishcafe@contini.com
The Garden Café offers fresh coffee and sweet-treats. Either relax in our informal café or take out and enjoy in Princes Street gardens.
Shop
Each shop is home to an inspiring range of products including a fantastic selection of pints, posters and books, stationery and gifts.
Shop online
While you're here
Scottish National Gallery Project
This ambitious project will create a new suite of exhibition spaces that will be directly accessible from the adjoining Princes Street Gardens, and provide a light-filled, new home for the our unrivalled collection of Scottish art, raising its profile for visitors from all over the world.
Royal Scottish Academy
The Royal Scottish Academy plays host to a variety of exhibitions programmed by the National Galleries of Scotland, the Royal Scottish Academy of Art and Architecture, and others.
Prints and library
A collection of over 30,000 works of Scottish and international graphic art, from the early Renaissance to the 20th century is available to view by appointment at Modern Two. There you can also find our historic art library covering art from the 14th to the 20th century.
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
The Scottish National Portrait Gallery is just five minutes walk from the Scottish National Gallery. Come face to face with the people who shaped Scotland’s past, present and future. The perfect compliment to your visit.
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.