National Galleries Scotland: Portrait
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Why go
- Ornate Spanish Gothic architecture among the New Town’s mostly Georgian Neoclassical buildings.
- Portraits of Billy Connolly and Tilda Swinton.
- Alexander Nasmyth’s portrait of Robert Burns.
- John Michael Wright’s 1683 portrait of Lord Mungo Murray wearing a belted plaid for hunting.
Opening hours
Today10:00 – 17:00Show all
Don't miss
- Portrait of James IV of ScotlandThe collection’s oldest work is this portrait dated 1507.In the collection.
- Portraits of Mary, Queen of ScotsThe collection holds two portraits of Mary, Queen of Scots, neither painted during her lifetime; one was painted about twenty years after her death in 1587.In the collection.
- Entrance hall friezeWilliam Hole’s procession of notable Scots runs from Saint Ninian to Robert Burns.Main entrance hall.
- Thomas Annan’s Glasgow photographsA dedicated gallery presents Thomas Annan’s photographs of Glasgow life, including slum images taken between 1868 and 1871.Gallery devoted to Thomas Annan’s photographs.
- George Jamesone’s self-portraitsThe collection includes two self-portraits by George Jamesone.In the collection.
What's inside
- Arnold Bronckhorst’s portrait of the regent Morton.
- Thirteen works by Allan Ramsay and fifteen by Sir Henry Raeburn.
Tips for your visit
- For a school visit, book through the gallery’s website
Know before you go
- Tickets can be bought through the gallery’s website.
Interesting facts4
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3,000 paintings
The collection holds about 3,000 paintings and sculptures, 25,000 prints and drawings, and 38,000 photographs.
Scottish National Portrait Gallery - Wikipedia -
58 works
James Tassie is its most represented artist, with 58 works, including profile medallion portraits.
Scottish National Portrait Gallery - Wikipedia -
James Tassie developed large medallion-shaped relief portraits in vitreous paste.
Scottish National Portrait Gallery - Wikipedia -
The gallery belongs to National Galleries Scotland, which also owns two other galleries in Edinburgh.
Scottish National Portrait Gallery - Wikipedia
Shorts
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National Portrait Gallery. Edinburgh is a gem. Scotlandrain of light
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National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh, ScotlandHeidi Anne
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The National Portrait GallerySCOTLAND
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National Galleries of Scotland:Portrait, EdinburghPhilip Magson
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National Galleries ScotlandJapandi Life
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National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait - EdinburghEdinburgh
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The beautiful Scottish National Portrait Gallery! Vlog upJohanna Hurtig
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The prettiest art gallery in Edinburgh - National Galleries: PortraitLily
History
- 1882The gallery was established. John Ritchie Findlay, owner of The Scotsman, funded its purpose-built home for £50,000.
- 1885–1890The building was constructed to house both the portrait gallery and the antiquities collection.
- 1889The gallery opened under curator John Miller Gray, before the building’s completion in 1890.
- April 2009–1 December 2011The gallery closed for refurbishment, which restored gallery spaces and added a glass lift.
- 1 December 2011It reopened with 60% more gallery space and 849 works on display.
Sources: Scottish National Portrait Gallery - Wikipedia · Edinburgh/New Town - Wikivoyage (see) · Scottish National Portrait Gallery - Wikipedia · Scottish National Portrait Gallery - Wikipedia · National Galleries Scotland: Portrait: booking … · National Galleries Scotland: Portrait: tickets … · checked 7 Oct 2026
- Phone
- +4401316246200
Questions and answers
What are the opening hours of National Galleries Scotland: Portrait?
Daily, 10:00–17:00.
Were all the portraits at National Galleries Scotland: Portrait made by Scottish artists?
No. The collection depicts Scots but includes work by artists from elsewhere. Its early holdings mainly feature Renaissance portraits of Scottish royalty and nobility.
Does the collection at National Galleries Scotland: Portrait still grow?
Yes. Additions include works by Scottish painters John Bellany and John Byrne.
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