The Scottish National Portrait Gallery provides a unique visual history of Scotland, told through the portraits of those who shaped it. It explores the lives of great Scots, past and present, who have inspired and changed the world - royals and rebels, poets and philosophers, heroes and villains.

The Scottish National Portrait Gallery was the first purpose-built portrait gallery in the world. The impressive building, overlooking Edinburgh’s historic New Town, has become a favourite destination for 200,000 locals and tourists every year, with its welcoming mix of special exhibitions, two floors of portraits from the national collection, and its fantastic shop and café.

The Collection
Since the Gallery first opened its doors, the collection has grown steadily to form an unequalled kaleidoscope of Scottish life and history. Among the most famous historical portraits are Mary, Queen of Scots, Allan Ramsay’s portrait of the philosopher David Hume, Alexander Nasmyth’s portrait of Robert Burns and Sir Henry Raeburn’s Sir Walter Scott.

Special Exhibitions
Special exhibitions, exploring Scotland’s people, artists, cultures and heritage, or showcasing the work of major portrait artists and photographers, are most often held on the ground floor of the Gallery. Current exhibitions are listed in the What’s On calendar.

Visitor Facilities
The Gallery has a large shop and café, both of which are firm local favourites.

The Gallery also has a print room, reference section, library and archive of negatives, which form an invaluable resource for genealogists, students, scholars and any visitor interested in the people and history of Scotland. These services are available by appointment only.