Display
Painting as Spectacle
National
Until Sun 25 Apr 2021
Gallery Closed due to Covid-19
Free
Situated in the heart of Edinburgh, the Scottish National Gallery is home to one of the best collections of fine art in the world.
Gallery Closed due to Covid-19
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.
Getting here
The Scottish National Gallery can be found just off Princes Street in the city centre.
In addition to the transport options below there are bike racks at each site and Just Eat Cycle Hire stations nearby.
Gallery bus
The Gallery bus shuttles visitors between the three gallery sites, for a voluntary donation of £1, starting and returning to the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (Modern Two).
Pick-up and drop-off points
Modern One - front of building
Modern Two - rear of building
Portrait - drop-off only at west St Andrew Square. Three minutes walk from the Gallery
National - The Mound
Arrival/departure times
Please note these times are approximate.
| Modern Two depart | Modern One depart | Portrait (drop off only) | National arrive | National depart | Modern One arrive | Modern Two arrive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11am | 11:01am | 11:10am | 11:15am | 11:30am | 11:45am | 11:46am |
| 12noon | 12:01pm | 12:10pm | 12:15pm | 12:30pm | 12:45pm | 12:46pm |
| 2pm | 2:01pm | 2:10pm | 2:15pm | 2:30pm | 2:45pm | 2:46pm |
| 3pm | 3:01pm | 3:10pm | 3:15pm | 3:30pm | 3:45pm | 3:46pm |
| 4pm | 4:01pm | 4:10pm | 4:15pm | 4:30pm | 4:45pm | 4:46pm |
Accessibility & facilities
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.
Find out more about disabled access at the Scottish National Gallery
Admissions
Cost
Free admission | Charge for some exhibitions
Opening times
In order to help protect the health of our staff and visitors during this difficult time we have closed all of our Galleries.
Contact
For general enquiries regarding your visit or gallery services:
+44 (0)131 624 6200
[email protected]
Your safety
For safety reasons we kindly ask all visitors to carry rucksacks or backpacks by hand or use one of the lockers.
Featured exhibitions and displays
Display
Scottish Art 1670 — 1840
National
Until Sun 25 Apr 2021
Gallery Closed due to Covid-19
Free
Display
Italian Renaissance 1470 — 1600
National
Until Sun 25 Apr 2021
Gallery Closed due to Covid-19
Free
Display
Poussin's Sacraments
National
Until Sun 25 Apr 2021
Gallery Closed due to Covid-19
Free
Featured events
Tour
Mertoun House Tours 2020
National
Mon - Fri, 11 May - 12 Jun 2020
9am - 1:45pm
£15.00
Cancelled
Lecture or talk
Stuarts, Stags, ‘Spooks’ and Splendour: The Story of Scottish Art
National
Tue 26 May 2020
6 - 7pm
Free
Cancelled
Lecture or talk
Picture Hooks: The Art of Picture Book Illustration
National
Thu 28 May 2020
5:30 - 6:30pm
Free
Cancelled
Music concert
Live Music Now: Iona Fyfe and Rory Matheson
National
Thu 28 May 2020
6 - 6:30pm
Free
Cancelled
Cafés & shops
The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant
In order to help protect the health of our staff and visitors during this difficult time, we have closed all of our Galleries
+44 (0)131 225 1550
[email protected]
The award-winning Scottish Cafe & Restaurant is run by the Contini family and is located at the gardens level entrance to the Scottish National Gallery with incredible views across Princes Street Gardens towards Waverley Bridge. Victor and Carina Contini are committed to sustainable practices and buy direct from a trusted network of over 70 Scottish artisan suppliers. The food offer is seasonal with an emphasis on tradition and taste.
Book a tableEspresso
In order to help protect the health of our staff and visitors during this difficult time, we have closed all of our Galleries
+44 (0)131 225 1550
[email protected]
Espresso is located in the foyer of the Mound entrance to the Scottish National Gallery, and offers hot and cold drinks, delicious homebaking and light snacks. Either relax in our informal café or take out and enjoy.
Shops
In order to help protect the health of our staff and visitors during this difficult time, we have closed all of our Galleries
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. There is also a souvenir shop in room 5 on the ground level of the Scottish National Gallery and a shop near the front of the Royal Scottish Academy.
Shop online
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.