Cities
Scotland Edinburgh Edinburgh Gallery

Scottish National Portrait Gallery

About

Housed in a magnificent red‑sandstone Gothic Revival building on Queen Street, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery is the world’s first purpose‑built portrait gallery, opened in 1889. Designed by Sir Robert Rowand Anderson and funded by philanthropist John Ritchie Findlay, it offers a vivid visual history of Scotland through paintings, sculptures, photographs, and prints. The collection celebrates figures from Mary, Queen of Scots and Robert Burns to contemporary icons like Billy Connolly and Tilda Swinton, alongside pioneers in science, sport, and the arts. Inside, the Great Hall dazzles with its zodiac‑painted ceiling and vast frieze of historical figures, setting the stage for a journey through centuries of national identity. The gallery also houses the Scottish National Photography Collection and hosts a dynamic programme of exhibitions, talks, and events. Free to visit, it is both a cultural treasure and a welcoming space where Scotland’s past and present meet in art and story.

Edinburgh Scotland
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
Location

The Scottish National Portrait Gallery is located at 1 Queen Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1JD, in the heart of the city’s New Town. Housed in a magnificent neo-Gothic building designed by Robert Rowand Anderson and opened in 1889, the gallery features an extensive collection of portraits celebrating Scotland’s most influential figures from history and contemporary times. Its stunning architecture includes elaborate murals, sculptural details, and the famous Zodiac ceiling in the Great Hall. Visitors can also enjoy the welcoming Café Portrait on site. The gallery is conveniently positioned near Princes Street Gardens and St Andrew Square, with easy access to Waverley Station and numerous bus and tram routes. Its central location makes it a key cultural and historic landmark, offering an enriching experience of Scotland’s artistic heritage.

National Museum of Scotland National Museum of Scotland Museum Museum of Edinburgh Museum of Edinburgh Museum Surgeons’ Hall Museums Surgeons’ Hall Museums Museum Museum of Childhood Edinburgh Museum of Childhood Edinburgh Museum Museum on the Mound Museum on the Mound Museum National War Museum of Scotland National War Museum of Scotland Museum Newhaven Heritage Museum Newhaven Heritage Museum Museum People’s Story Museum People’s Story Museum Museum Writers’ Museum Writers’ Museum Museum St Cecilia’s Hall St Cecilia’s Hall Museum Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage Museum Corstorphine Heritage Centre Corstorphine Heritage Centre Museum Queensferry Museum Queensferry Museum Museum Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum Museum Royal Observatory Visitor Centre Royal Observatory Visitor Centre Observatory Our Dynamic Earth Our Dynamic Earth Museum Trinity House Maritime Museum Trinity House Maritime Museum Museum Museum of Magic, Fortune-Telling & Witchcraft Museum of Magic, Fortune-Telling & Witchcraft Museum King’s Theatre King’s Theatre Theatre Festival Theatre Festival Theatre Theatre Edinburgh Playhouse Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre Queen’s Hall Queen’s Hall Theatre Usher Hall Usher Hall Theatre Royal Lyceum Theatre Royal Lyceum Theatre Theatre Traverse Theatre Traverse Theatre Theatre Bedlam Theatre Bedlam Theatre Theatre Church Hill Theatre Church Hill Theatre Theatre Rose Theatre Rose Theatre Theatre Scottish Storytelling Centre Scottish Storytelling Centre Theatre Summerhall Summerhall Theatre St Stephen’s Theatre St Stephen’s Theatre Theatre Festival Square Theatre Festival Square Theatre Theatre Leith Theatre Leith Theatre Theatre Portobello Town Hall Portobello Town Hall Theatre Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art Gallery City Art Centre City Art Centre Gallery Collective Gallery Collective Gallery Gallery Fruitmarket Gallery Fruitmarket Gallery Gallery Open Eye Gallery Open Eye Gallery Gallery Leith Walk Gallery Leith Walk Gallery Gallery Braewell Gallery Braewell Gallery Gallery Dovecot Studios Dovecot Studios Gallery Morningside Gallery Morningside Gallery Gallery West End Craft & Design Fair West End Craft & Design Fair Gallery Bourne Fine Art Gallery Bourne Fine Art Gallery Gallery Red Door Gallery Red Door Gallery Gallery Marchmont Gallery Marchmont Gallery Gallery Talbot Rice Gallery Talbot Rice Gallery Gallery Torrance Gallery Torrance Gallery Gallery Gallery TEN Gallery TEN Gallery Wasps Patriothall Studios and Gallery Wasps Patriothall Studios and Gallery Gallery Rhubaba Gallery and Studios Rhubaba Gallery and Studios Gallery Edinburgh Castle Edinburgh Castle Castle Palace of Holyroodhouse Palace of Holyroodhouse Castle Craigmillar Castle Craigmillar Castle Castle Holyrood Park Holyrood Park Park Princes Street Gardens Princes Street Gardens Park The Meadows The Meadows Park Inverleith Park Inverleith Park Park Calton Hill Calton Hill Park Harrison Park Harrison Park Park Victoria Park Victoria Park Park Pilrig Park Pilrig Park Park Camera Obscura & World of Illusions Camera Obscura & World of Illusions Museum Arthur’s Seat Arthur’s Seat Mountain Peak Scott Monument Scott Monument Monument The Royal Mile The Royal Mile Tourist attractions St Giles’ Cathedral St Giles’ Cathedral Cathedral Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Botanical Garden Dean Village Dean Village Tourist attractions Innocent Railway Tunnel & Path Innocent Railway Tunnel & Path Historical Landmark The Real Mary King’s Close The Real Mary King’s Close Historical Landmark The Scotch Whisky Experience The Scotch Whisky Experience Tourist attractions The Edinburgh Dungeon The Edinburgh Dungeon Tourist attractions Grassmarket Grassmarket Street Stockbridge Market Stockbridge Market Market Edinburgh Farmers’ Market Edinburgh Farmers’ Market Market Leith Market Leith Market Market Tron Kirk Market Tron Kirk Market Market Ocean Terminal Market Ocean Terminal Market Market