National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait

Art gallery · Greenside

National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait

Art gallery · Greenside

2

1 Queen St, Edinburgh EH2 1JD, United Kingdom

Photos

National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait by null
National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait by Andrew Lee/Courtesy Scottish National Portrait Gallery
National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait by Keith Hunter/Courtesy Scottish National Portrait Gallery
National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait by null
National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait by null
National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait by null
National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait by null
National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait by null
National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait by null
National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait by null
National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait by null
National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait by null
National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait by null
National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait by null
National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait by null
National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait by null
National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait by null
National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait by null
National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait by null
National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait by null
National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait by null
National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait by null

Highlights

Scots history, celeb portraits, photography, Gothic Revival building  

Featured in Conde Nast Traveler
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1 Queen St, Edinburgh EH2 1JD, United Kingdom Get directions

nationalgalleries.org
@natgalleriessco

Information

Static Map

1 Queen St, Edinburgh EH2 1JD, United Kingdom Get directions

+44 131 624 6200
nationalgalleries.org
@natgalleriessco
𝕏
@natgalleriessco

Features

restroom
wheelchair accessible entrance
wheelchair accessible restroom
wheelchair accessible parking lot

Last updated

Aug 7, 2025

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@cntraveler

10 Best Museums in Edinburgh | Condé Nast Traveler

"There is a lot to see at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, but don’t feel pressured to look at every single picture. Some of the most important exhibits include Alexander Nasmyth’s definitive portrait of Robert Burns, Scotland’s national poet, and Richard Wilson’s portrait of the woman who saved Charles Edward Stuart from capture by the English after the failed Jacobite Rebellion. Look out for more modern classics, too, like Annie Leibovitz’s 1980 photo of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, taken the day Lennon was shot." - Freya Herring

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-museums-in-edinburgh
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@cntraveler

Scottish National Portrait Gallery, New Town, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom - Museum Review | Condé Nast Traveler

"Start from the top: What's the appeal of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery? A gallery rammed with pictures of people you don’t know sounds a bit dull, doesn’t it? But not so in this case, because the Scottish National Portrait Gallery is a truly spectacular institution with some genuinely fascinating depictions of humans, alive and dead. It also houses Scotland’s National Photography Collection, and recently starting displaying landscapes, too, to give context to the portraits. Okay, take us inside the gallery. What do you see? The building alone is something special. Designed in the Gothic Revival style, it’s like Dracula’s mansion, and was the first gallery in the world to house portraiture when it opened 1889. Its rooms are a feast for the eyes, with vaulted ceilings, stained glass, and carefully painted friezes and murals. How about the paintings themselves? There is a lot to see here, but don’t feel pressured to look at every single picture. Some of the most important exhibits include Alexander Nasmyth’s definitive portrait of Robert Burns, Scotland’s national poet, and Richard Wilson’s portrait of the woman who saved Charles Edward Stuart from capture by the English after the failed Jacobite Rebellion. Look out for more modern classics too, like Annie Leibovitz’s 1980 depiction of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, photographed the day Lennon was shot. How are the staff members? Friendly and efficient. It sounds lovely, honestly. When you get down to it, who do you think it's best for? This is the sort of gallery that most people will enjoy, kids included. Even if you don’t have time to pop in, though, it’s worth just walking past the building. Those two sculptures manning the doorway? William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, Scotland’s national heroes." - Freya Herring

https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/edinburgh/scottish-national-portrait-gallery
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Heena

Google
Worth a visit on your trip to Edinburgh. Did I mention it was free? It’s wonderful to take your time to walk around in. They have a contemporary and photograph section as well. Book section is incredible! Cafe is nice, gift shop is also nice but small.

Bill Lakie

Google
Let it be said I am not an art advocate. The visit to the museum was worth the time. I did appreciate the art and the history of the different periods art. The building itself is worth visiting and the art is a bonus. We were able to learn some history of Scotland, fascinating. The price is right as well - Free. I appreciated the access to all the museums in Scotland.

J Ski

Google
Recommended by a local and so glad we listened. This building was built specifically to be an art gallery and it flows beautifully from room to room. Modern and traditional blend seamlessly. So many interesting faces! Cute gift shop and the cafe is very nice. Bathrooms are on the ground floor and there are lifts plenty big enough for wheelchairs and several other people. Expect to spend a minimum of one hour here. Two to three is more realistic.

Shelley C

Google
I am not really into portrait art, but even I found a few pictures that were worth a moments appreciation in this gallery. The best bit, though, was the building itself. The Great Hall was stunning, as was the library. These two rooms alone were well worth the visit. It is free to enter. There are lockers for bags and a lockable umbrella stand. There was a cafe, souvenir shop and toilets on every floor. The toilets were very clean. The gallery is wheelchair accessible and there are disabled toilets.

Tabitha Avery

Google
Took a short walk from our hotel to enjoy this very nice muesum. Admission is free but donations are appreciated. The exhibits spread over 3 floors with stairs and a lift available. The ground floor has a coffee shop, gift shop and a child friendly area. As a visitor to Edinburgh it was nice to view the artwork in paintings, photographs and some artifacts. The building is beautiful as well. Length of time needed to visit depends on how you enjoy muesums.

Sarah Foster

Google
This is a must-see for visitors to Edinburgh not least because a) it is free b) It is such a beautiful building in itself, but also c) a fantastically laid out gallery. Really fun and interesting: The way the portraits are grouped in rooms and the wonderful signage in plain language, explain the Scottish historical context of the portraits. There are family trees and informational signage about the Stuart monarchs and their claims to the throne. You come away understanding a lot about Scottish history, so it’s a good place to visit before Holyrood or the Castle. Some of the modern portraits are especially evocative - especially the ghostly painting of three cancer specialists.

anca seger

Google
Have you ever stumbled upon a hidden gem, like the National Galleries of Scotland - Portraits building on Queen Street in Edinburgh? Creativity and inspiration await, with the freedom to explore at no cost (and the option to contribute to its legacy as you choose). I was actually looking for a coffee place- which they do have (as well as a very cute gift shop). But, oh my, what a joy to discover this enchanted feast for the eyes!

웅냥냥

Google
I don't know why there are so few people. It is a place worth visiting, even if there are not many things to see. There are so many portraits, and there are not only old ones, but also modern portraits and modern paintings.