Display
Painting as Spectacle
Scottish National Gallery
Open daily, 10am-5pm
Admission free
There’s more to the Scottish National Gallery than meets the eye. Alongside the world-famous art you’ll find relaxing cafes and inspiring shops. Discover more below…
The gallery
Discover the stories within...
The Gallery
The Scottish National Gallery displays some of the greatest art in the world, including masterpieces by Botticelli, Raphael, Titian, El Greco, Velázquez, Rembrandt, Vermeer, van Dyck, Tiepolo, Landseer, Gainsborough, Constable, Turner, Angelica Kauffmann, and Elisabetta Sirani amongst many others. The most comprehensive part of the collection covers the history of Scottish painting – including Ramsay, Raeburn and Wilkie.
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.
Getting here
Getting here
The Scottish National Gallery can be found just off Princes Street in the city centre.
Venue map
- Open daily, 10am–5pm
The Mound, Edinburgh, EH2 2EL
Accessibility
Accessibility & facilities
Detailed information on accessibility at the National Galleries of Scotland
We are currently working on improving our galleries. During this time some rooms will be closed and some facilities will be temporarily removed. There will be limited disabled access to some areas.
There is limited on street parking close by including for those with a blue badge.
Floor plan
Gallery floor plans
About your visit
Opening times
Gallery Daily, 10am-5pm
Shop Daily, 10am-5pm
The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant Daily, 10am-5pm (last orders 4pm)
Cafe Espresso Daily, 10am-4pm
Festive opening times
25 and 26 December Closed
1 January Open 12–5pm
What's open
Most of the rooms in the gallery are now open. Two of the upstairs galleries remain closed as part of the ongoing improvements for the Scottish National Gallery Project. While work continues the upper galleries are only accessible by stairs.
Contact
For general enquiries regarding your visit or gallery services:
+44 (0)131 624 6200
[email protected]
Your safety
Everything you need to know about your visit can be found in our Frequently Asked Questions.
Group visits
Schools and community groups of 10 or more can book free self-led visits to all our galleries.
Safety information
-
-
We ask that you respect physical distancing from others during your visit.
-
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.
Smartify
Smartify
Download the app, scan the art, uncover the story.
Discover the stories behind the art with Smartify, the free informative art app. Use the app to explore the artworks in the gallery and learn even more about the work and the artist.
Tour of Nineteenth Century Scottish Painting at the Scottish National Gallery
Deputy Director and Chief Curator Tricia Allerston introduces our display of nineteenth-century Scottish paintings at the Scottish National Gallery. This tour gives you an insight into some of the highlights of this part of the collection, including work by artists such as William McTaggart, Phoebe Anna Traquair, Arthur Melville and James Paterson.
Featured exhibitions and displays
Display
Italian Renaissance 1470–1600
Scottish National Gallery
Open daily, 10am-5pm
Admission free
Display
Scottish Art 1670–1840
Scottish National Gallery
Open daily, 10am-5pm
Admission free
Exhibition
Conserving Scotland's Art
Scottish National Gallery
Until Sun 16 Apr 2023
Open daily, 10am-5pm
Admission free
Featured events
Our Friends
Lecture or talk
The Villa Throughout History
Scottish National Gallery
Every Thursday from 16 Feb - 9 Mar 2023
10:30am - 12 noon
£44, Friends and guests
Tickets on sale from 10am on Tuesday 7 February
Our Friends
Lecture or talk
The Story of Scottish Art | Lachlan Goudie
Scottish National Gallery
Thu 23 Feb 2023
6 - 8pm
£14, Friends and guests
Tickets on sale from 10am on Tuesday 7 February
Our Friends
Lecture or talk
In the Frame | Conserving Scotland's Art
Scottish National Gallery
Tue 28 Feb 2023
6 - 8pm
£14, Friends and guests
Tickets on sale from 10am on Tuesday 7 February
Music concert
SOLD OUT
Live Music Now | Resol Quartet
Scottish National Gallery
Thu 2 Mar 2023
5:30 - 6pm
Free
Booking essential
Restaurants
Cafés and shops
The Scottish Café & Restaurant
Located at the gardens level entrance to the Scottish National Gallery, our restaurant offers incredible views east across Princes Street Gardens. The Scottish Café & Restaurant is run by Victor and Carina Contini who are committed to sustainable practices and buy direct from a trusted network of over 70 Scottish artisan suppliers.
Enjoy a lunch of Scottish classics like cullen skink and fish and chips or indulge yourself with our all-day brunch menu or an afternoon tea. Access to the Scottish Café & Restaurant is via the East Princes Street Gardens Entrance.
Avoid disappointment and book your table in advance. It is quick and easy and avoids having to queue when we are busy. Just follow the link below.
Book hereGallery Shop
The shop at the Scottish National Gallery, stocks Scottish gifts, books, limited edition prints, stationery, fashion, craft, design and exclusive products featuring well-loved images from Scottish artworks.
The shop is accessed via the East Princes Street Gardens Entrance.
Shop onlineCafé Espresso
Situated just inside the entrance to the Scottish National Gallery, Espresso is the perfect rest stop for art lovers in need of refuelling. Easy counter service offers access to fantstic coffee as well as a selection of freshly baked scones and delicious cakes. No need to book in advance.
While you're here
Research Facilities
The National Galleries of Scotland offer a variety of opportunities for members of the public to access our resources and view artworks that are not on display in our gallery spaces.
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.
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.