The Scottish National Portrait Gallery opened to the public in 1889, and is the first purpose-built portrait gallery in the world.

From 6th April 2009, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, home to the collection of Scottish portraits and the National Photography Collection, will be closed while it undergoes a major refurbishment. The aims are to restore and reveal much more of our magnificent building, provide new visitor services and to show many more works of art.  

When the Gallery re-opens in late 2011, the way in which the collection is displayed will also be transformed.  The portraits will be shown within the context of various historical and thematic exhibitions, bringing to the foreground the fascinating stories behind the sitters and the artists.  Much more photography will be on display, and there will be a strong focus on Scottish art. 

While the Portrait Gallery is closed, a selection of portraits from the collection will be on display at the National Gallery Complex, the Modern Art Galleries and exhibitions across the country.  

You can also visit a selection of the artworks from the Portrait Gallery collection in the Online Collection and sign-up to our new Portrait of the Month website feature, where famous and not-so-famous portraits will be presented in a new light.

Check the Portrait of the Nation project pages regularly for more information about the aims and progress of the refurbishment, and related activities taking place during the closure.

For information about viewing works from the collection which are not on display, and Portrait Gallery reference material, please contact pginfo@nationalgalleries.org.