Display
The Modern Portrait
Portrait
Until Sun 28 Mar 2021
Gallery Closed due to Covid-19
Free
Come face to face with the people who shaped Scotland’s past, present and future at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.
Gallery Closed due to Covid-19
Free admission | Charge for some exhibitions
1 Queen Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1JD
Gallery & grounds
The Scottish National Portrait Gallery is one of Edinburgh’s most remarkable buildings – a great red sandstone neo-gothic palace which sits proudly on the city’s skyline. The Gallery was designed by Sir Robert Rowand Anderson as a shrine for Scotland’s heroes and heroines. It opened to the public in 1889 as the world’s first purpose-built portrait gallery.
An elaborate decorative scheme, both inside and out, with its glittering friezes, evocative murals and extensive sculptural embellishment, make it a very special experience.
Learn more about the history and architecture of the building
Displays at the Gallery explore different aspects of the story of Scotland and her people, told through a wealth of imagery including portraits of famous historical figures such as Mary Queen of Scots, Prince Charles Edward Stuart and Robert Burns, through to more recent pioneers in science, sport and the arts. See these fantastic displays in beautifully refurbished spaces, from the suite of grand top-lit galleries to smaller intimate rooms, and discover the Photography Gallery, and the atmospheric Victorian Library. The displays change on a regular basis, so there is always something new to see.
Getting here
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.
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
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.
Admissions
Cost
Free admission | Charge for some exhibitions
Opening times
Open daily 10am–5pm
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
Heroes and Heroines | The Victorian Age
Portrait
Gallery Closed due to Covid-19
Free
Exhibition
Coming Soon
Temples to Tenements | Photographs of Architecture
Portrait
Dates to be confirmed
Gallery Closed due to Covid-19
Free
Featured events
Special event
Creative Change Makers Programme
Portrait
Mon 27 - Fri 31 Jul 2020
10am - 3pm
£250.00
Tour
Gallery Social: Bright Star | The Art and Life of King James VI and I (for anyone affected by dementia)
Portrait
Fri 28 Aug 2020
10:30am - 12 noon
Free
Cancelled
Tour
SOLD OUT
British Sign Language (BSL) Tour: James VI & I - Bright Star of the North
Portrait
Sat 19 Sep 2020
11am - 12:30pm
Free
Cancelled
Tour
SOLD OUT
Amplified Tour: Bright Star | The Art and Life of King James VI and I
Portrait
Sun 20 Sep 2020
11am - 12 noon
Free
Cancelled
Café & shops
Café Portrait
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)131 558 7031
[email protected]
After visiting the galleries head to Café Portrait, where you can relax and enjoy a delicious lunch or coffee and cake in impressive surroundings.
All our food is prepared from scratch in our kitchen, which is why it tastes so good. You can choose from a wide variety of gluten and dairy free dishes.
Book a tableShop
In order to help protect the health of our staff and visitors during this difficult time, we have closed all of our Galleries
Our shop sells ranges of handmade jewellery, crafts, ceramics and limited editions from Scottish artists and makers. So whether you’re looking for prints or posters, books or bags, we have everything from the traditional to the alternative.
Shop onlineResearch facilities
Photography Collection
The photography collection contains over 40,000 works including the largest collection of Hill and Adamson anywhere in the world.
Portraiture prints & drawings
The portraiture prints and drawings collection consists of 20,000 prints and around 2,000 drawings and watercolours dating from the 16th century to the present.
Scottish biographical and portraiture library
The library has over 50,000 holdings largely including biographies of Scots and Scottish portraiture.
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.