Scottish National Portrait Gallery

Overview

The Scottish National Portrait Gallery is a stunning Gothic Revival building on Queen Street, housing a collection of portraits telling the visual story of Scotland through faces and figures from Mary Queen of Scots to the present day.

Highlights

• The Great Hall: A magnificent entrance hall decorated with a processional frieze depicting figures from Scottish history, from Stone Age settlers to Victorian scientists.
• Mary Queen of Scots Portraits: Several contemporary or near-contemporary likenesses of Scotland's most famous queen.
• Contemporary Photography: Rotating exhibitions of portrait photography from Scottish and international artists.

History

Designed by Robert Rowand Anderson in a rich Venetian Gothic style, the gallery opened in 1889 as the world's first purpose-built portrait gallery. A major £17.6 million restoration was completed in 2011, restoring the building's grandeur and adding new gallery spaces.

Visitor Tips

• Free Entry: The permanent collection is free; the architecture alone is worth the visit.
• The Café: The ground-floor café in the glazed courtyard is one of the most pleasant lunch spots in the New Town.
• Duration: 45–60 minutes.