The Modern Portrait
Open daily, 10am-5pm
Admission free
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 its people, told through a wealth of imagery including portraits of famous historical figures such as Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Prince Charles Edward Stuart, through to more recent pioneers in science, sport and the arts including Emeli Sandé, Billy Connolly and Tilda Swinton.
Located in the city centre on Queen Street, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery is easy to access.
Gallery Open daily, 10am-5pm
Café Portrait Open daily, 10am-5pm (last orders 4.30pm). No advance booking required
Gallery shop Open daily, 10am-5pm
For general enquiries regarding your visit or gallery services:
+44 (0)131 624 6200
[email protected]
Everything you need to know about your visit can be found in our Frequently Asked Questions.
Enhance your visit with wee ones with our Art Spot guide. You can pick up copies in the gallery or use our online resource. Who will you meet - and what will you spot?
Schools and community groups of 10 or more can book free self-led visits to all our galleries.
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.
Presented by Trudi Collier, this short welcome film in British Sign Language (BSL) introduces the building and collections of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.
Liz Louis, Curator of Portraiture introduces the Great Hall of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. Liz gives us a tour of the elaborate decorative interior and examines the glittering frieze and mural decorations by William Brassey Hole. The Great Hall is a work of art in itself, and Liz explains how the decorative scheme relates to both the outside of the building, and the contents that it was purpose built to house.
Open daily, 10am-5pm
Admission free
Open daily, 10am-5pm
Admission free
Sat 17 Jun 2023 - Sun 10 Sep 2023
Open daily, 10am-5pm
Admission free
Open daily, 10am-5pm
Admission free
Fri 28 Apr 2023
10:30am - 12 noon
Free
Booking essential
Mon 8 May 2023
10:15 - 10:45am
Free
+2 other sessions
Tue 23 May 2023
10 - 11am
Free
Booking essential
Fri 26 May 2023
10:30am - 12 noon
Free
Booking essential
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 tableThe shop at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery stocks works by a variety of Scottish and UK independent craftspeople and brands, as well as limited edition prints, books, stationery, food, fashion and a range of exclusive products from the Portrait Gallery collection.
Shop onlineThe 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.