National Galleries of Scotland
Edinburgh · United Kingdom · Founded 1859
Quick answer
National Galleries of Scotland in Edinburgh, United Kingdom — the National Galleries of Scotland comprise the National, the Portrait Gallery on Queen Street, and Modern One and Two in the city's west. Open daily, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Admission: free standard admission. Allow 2–3 hours.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
National Galleries of Scotland at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Daily: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Admission | Free standard admission |
| Booking | Tickets usually available on the day |
| Time needed | 2–3 hours |
| Best time to visit | Weekday mornings at 10 AM for the National Gallery. |
| Getting there | Walk: Scottish National Gallery on The Mound — 5 minutes from Waverley Station and Princes Street |
| Address | The Mound, Edinburgh EH2 2EL, United Kingdom |
| Official website | nationalgalleries.org |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is National Galleries of Scotland known for?
The National Galleries of Scotland comprise the Scottish National Gallery on the Mound, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery on Queen Street, and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (Modern One and Modern Two) in the West End — together one of Europe's great public art collections.
The flagship gallery on the Mound, designed by William Henry Playfair, sits between Edinburgh's Old and New Towns and houses masterpieces by Titian, Velázquez, Rembrandt, and Scotland's own Henry Raeburn. Admission to all permanent collections is free.
The Portrait Gallery on Queen Street — a Gothic Revival palace with a great hall of Scottish history murals — holds the world's largest collection of Scottish portraits. Modern One and Two in the West End display Picasso, Bacon, Hockney, and Scottish Colourists.
A free shuttle bus connects the Mound to Modern One and Two. The Portrait Gallery is a 10-minute walk from the National Gallery.
Best for: Art Lovers · First-timers · Budget travellers
How long do you need at National Galleries of Scotland?
Allow 2–3 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at National Galleries of Scotland without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
The Reverend Robert Walker Skating on Duddingston Loch
📍 Scottish National Gallery, Room X
The 'Skating Minister' — Raeburn's portrait of a clergyman gliding on ice, one of Scotland's most beloved paintings and an icon of Scottish art.
- 2
Diana and Callisto
📍 Scottish National Gallery
Titian's late mythological masterpiece from the Metamorphoses series — acquired jointly with the National Gallery London and the National Gallery of Scotland.
- 3
An Old Woman Cooking Eggs
📍 Scottish National Gallery
Velázquez's early bodegón of an elderly woman frying eggs — remarkable naturalism from the artist's Seville period, before he moved to Madrid.
- 4
Great Hall Murals
📍 Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Queen Street
William Hole's narrative murals of Scottish history covering the walls of the Portrait Gallery's great hall — a Victorian panorama of national identity.
What are the must-see works at National Galleries of Scotland?
4 highlights that define the collection: The Reverend Robert Walker Skating on Duddingston Loch, Diana and Callisto, An Old Woman Cooking Eggs and more.
The Reverend Robert Walker Skating on Duddingston Loch
Henry Raeburn · c. 1795
📍 Scottish National Gallery, Room X
The 'Skating Minister' — Raeburn's portrait of a clergyman gliding on ice, one of Scotland's most beloved paintings and an icon of Scottish art.
Diana and Callisto
Titian · 1556–1559
📍 Scottish National Gallery
Titian's late mythological masterpiece from the Metamorphoses series — acquired jointly with the National Gallery London and the National Gallery of Scotland.
An Old Woman Cooking Eggs
Diego Velázquez · c. 1618
📍 Scottish National Gallery
Velázquez's early bodegón of an elderly woman frying eggs — remarkable naturalism from the artist's Seville period, before he moved to Madrid.
Great Hall Murals
William Hole · 1898–1904
📍 Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Queen Street
William Hole's narrative murals of Scottish history covering the walls of the Portrait Gallery's great hall — a Victorian panorama of national identity.
Collections and highlights
- • Scottish National Gallery — Titian, Velázquez, Raeburn on the Mound
- • Scottish National Portrait Gallery — Queen Street Gothic Revival building
- • Modern One and Two — Picasso, Bacon, Scottish Colourists
- • The Skating Minister by Henry Raeburn
- • Impressionism and Post-Impressionism
- • Scottish art from Allan Ramsay to contemporary
- • Free admission to all permanent collections
Tips for visiting National Galleries of Scotland
- 1.
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings at 10 AM for the National Gallery. Portrait Gallery quieter than the Mound. Modern One least crowded overall.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
The Skating Minister and Titian rooms draw crowds on the Mound. All three venues are free — special exhibitions are ticketed separately.
- 3.
Tickets & booking
Free permanent collection at all venues. Special exhibitions ticketed at nationalgalleries.org.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Gallery cafés at the Mound and Modern One; Princes Street and George Street restaurants nearby.
- 5.
Accessibility
All three venues accessible. Portrait Gallery lift to upper floors.
How do you get to National Galleries of Scotland?
- walk Scottish National Gallery on The Mound — 5 minutes from Waverley Station and Princes Street
- walk Portrait Gallery on Queen Street — 10 minutes from the National Gallery via George Street
- bus Free gallery shuttle from the Mound to Modern One and Two — check nationalgalleries.org for times
Address: The Mound, Edinburgh EH2 2EL, United Kingdom
National Galleries of Scotland: frequently asked questions
Are all three galleries free?
Yes, all permanent collections are free; special exhibitions are ticketed.
Can I walk between them?
The National and Portrait Gallery are a short walk apart; Modern One and Two are reached by a free shuttle bus.
How long should I spend at National Galleries of Scotland?
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights of National Galleries of Scotland. Our 4-stop route — The Reverend Robert Walker Skating on Duddingston Loch, Diana and Callisto, An Old Woman Cooking Eggs and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is National Galleries of Scotland best known for?
The National Galleries of Scotland comprise the National, the Portrait Gallery on Queen Street, and Modern One and Two in the city's west. Together they form one of Europe's great public art collections. Key highlights include The Skating Minister by Raeburn, Diana and Callisto by Titian, Old Woman Cooking Eggs by Velázquez.
How do I get tickets for National Galleries of Scotland?
Free standard admission. You can walk in without a ticket; paid exhibitions are booked separately. Official site: https://www.nationalgalleries.org/
Can I walk between the galleries?
The National Gallery and Portrait Gallery are a 10-minute walk apart via George Street. Modern One and Two are in the West End — a free shuttle runs from the Mound.
Where is the Skating Minister?
Henry Raeburn's Skating Minister is in the Scottish National Gallery on the Mound — one of the most requested works in the collection. Room numbers may change during rehangs; ask at reception.
Is National Galleries of Scotland open on Mondays?
Yes — National Galleries of Scotland is open every day of the week, including Mondays and Sundays: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Check the official website for holiday hours.
What are National Galleries of Scotland's opening hours?
National Galleries of Scotland is open daily, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.
