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National Galleries Scotland: Portrait

ArtHistoryPhotographyClosed · Opens 10amFreeYork Place tram stop

National Galleries Scotland: Portrait holds the national collection of portraits of Scots, alongside the Scottish National Photography Collection. Opened in 1889 in a red sandstone Gothic Revival building designed by Robert Rowand Anderson and paid for by Scotsman proprietor John Ritchie Findlay, it was the world's first purpose-built portrait gallery. Its Great Hall is wrapped in William Hole's processional frieze of Scottish history beneath a Zodiac ceiling of gilded stars and constellations. A 2011 refurbishment restored the original gallery layout and opened up a third of the building that had been closed to the public.

What's On

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Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

1 Queen Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1JD, Scotland

Nearest station: York Place tram stop, St Andrew Square tram stop, Edinburgh Waverley railway station

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Hours

Mon10:00–17:00
Tue10:00–17:00
Wed10:00–17:00
ThuToday10:00–17:00
Fri10:00–17:00
Sat10:00–17:00
Sun10:00–17:00

Admission

Free

Free admission to the gallery and its permanent displays; some temporary exhibitions are ticketed.

Nearby

Fruitmarket

ArtFree6 min walk

National Galleries Scotland: National

ArchitectureFree6 min walk

City Art Centre

ArtFree7 min walk

Stills: Centre for Photography

ArtFree7 min walk

Visitor Information

Is National Galleries Scotland: Portrait free to visit?
Yes, general admission to National Galleries Scotland: Portrait is free. Free admission to the gallery and its permanent displays; some temporary exhibitions are ticketed.. Some special exhibitions may charge a separate ticket, so check the museum's website before visiting.
What are the opening hours of National Galleries Scotland: Portrait?
National Galleries Scotland: Portrait is open Open daily, 10am-5pm (last admission 4.45pm). Cafe Portrait 10am-4.30pm (last orders 4pm); shop 10am-5pm.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is National Galleries Scotland: Portrait?
National Galleries Scotland: Portrait is located at 1 Queen Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1JD, Scotland, in the New Town area of Edinburgh. The nearest stations are York Place tram stop, St Andrew Square tram stop, Edinburgh Waverley railway station.
What can I see at National Galleries Scotland: Portrait?
Neo-Gothic red sandstone palace on Queen Street where Scotland's story is told face by face, from Mary Queen of Scots to Tilda Swinton. Current highlights include Reformation to Revolution, Scottish Portrait Awards 2026, The Modern Portrait.
Do I need to book National Galleries Scotland: Portrait in advance?
National Galleries Scotland: Portrait is free to enter and most days you can walk in. Free admission to the gallery and its permanent displays; some temporary exhibitions are ticketed.. For special exhibitions, weekends, and school holidays, booking a timed slot can help you skip queues. Check the museum's website for current requirements.
When is the best time to visit National Galleries Scotland: Portrait?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.

Kenneth C. Zirkel, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

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