The Scottish National Gallery is right in the center of Edinburgh, just a short walk from Princes Street Gardens. This neoclassical building is home to Scotland’s national collection of fine art, covering everything from the Renaissance to the early 20th century. You can check out amazing works by artists like Titian, Raphael, Velázquez, and Vermeer, plus some pieces by Scottish artists like Raeburn and Ramsay. The collection may not be huge, but it definitely has enough to enjoy in just a couple of hours!
Recommended duration
2-3 hours
Ticket price
Free
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible via Weston Link entrance, lifts to all floors, wheelchairs available to borrow, accessible toilets, audio described tours available
What Makes the Scottish National Gallery Special?
Designed by William Henry Playfair and opened in 1859, the gallery is a masterclass in neoclassical design. The exterior features those impressive Ionic column but this isn’t one of those massive galleries where you’ll get lost for hours. The Scottish National Gallery offers something more focused and manageable. The rooms are beautifully proportioned, and the collection is thoughtfully arranged so you can follow the story of European art without feeling overwhelmed.
The scale feels just right: grand but not intimidating! Plus Entry is free, which makes it even more appealing. You can drop in for half an hour or spend the whole afternoon.
Its collection is a brilliant mix of world-famous masterpieces and local treasures. Here are some highlights you can explore across its different levels:
- The Old Masters: This collection is truly world-class, featuring massive canvases like Titian’s Diana and Actaeon and Diana and Callisto. You can see Velázquez’s Old Woman Cooking Eggs, painted when he was just 19, and a rare Vermeer, Christ in the House of Martha and Mary—one of only about 35 known paintings by the artist.
- The Scottish Rooms: This area celebrates the nation’s artistic soul. The most famous resident here is Henry Raeburn’s The Reverend Robert Walker Skating on Duddingston Loch (the “Skating Minister”). You’ll also find Allan Ramsay’s elegant portraits and Alexander Nasmyth’s atmospheric landscapes.
- Impressionist & Post-Impressionist Galleries: These rooms are packed with light and colour, featuring Monet’s Poplars on the Epte and his shimmering Haystacks. You’ll also spot works by heavyweights like Gauguin, Cézanne, and Van Gogh, showing how progressive Edinburgh’s art scene was in collecting modern French art early on.🧑🎨
- The New Scottish Galleries: Reopened in 2018, this lower level is a calm, beautifully lit space dedicated to Scottish art from 1600 to 1900. It’s the place to discover David Wilkie’s storytelling paintings of daily life and William McTaggart, often called “Scotland’s Impressionist.”
Did you know? The Weston Link, is a underground path that connects the gallery to the Royal Scottish Academy. This passage was opend in 2004 and It’s pretty classy!
Practical Information for Your Visit
Personal tip
The gallery café in the basement does decent coffee and cakes, but it gets packed at lunchtime. The Princes Street Gardens are right outside if you fancy a picnic instead.🧺
Two hours is usually enough to see the main highlights without rushing. If you’re keen on art or want to read all the labels, you could easily spend three or four hours. I’d suggest starting with the Old Masters, then moving to the Scottish galleries, and finishing with the Impressionists. You can always pop back another day since entry is free.
Weekday mornings are quietest, especially outside school holidays. Late afternoon on Fridays (the gallery stays open until 7pm) can be lovely and peaceful. Rainy days ☔ bring more visitors, but sunny days make the galleries look their best with all that natural light streaming in.
Permanent collections are free, which is brilliant! Special exhibitions usually charge admission, typically between £10 and £15, but check the official website for current prices. You don’t need to book in advance for general entry, though you might need to for popular temporary shows. The gallery asks for voluntary donations at the entrance if you’d like to support them.
The gallery sits on The Mound, the artificial hill connecting the Old and New Towns. You can walk from Waverley Station in about five minutes. Buses along Princes Street stop nearby. There’s no dedicated parking, but there are several car parks within walking distance. The entrance is clearly marked, with steps leading up from Princes Street Gardens or the main door on The Mound.
The main entrance has steps, but there’s level access via the Weston Link entrance on Princes Street. Lifts connect all floors. Wheelchairs are available to borrow, and accessible toilets are on every level. The gallery provides large-print labels and audio described tours. Staff are helpful if you need assistance navigating the building.
The Scottish National Gallery deserves a spot on your Edinburgh itinerary, even if museums aren’t usually your thing. The collection is manageable, the building is beautiful, and you’ll leave having seen some genuinely exceptional paintings.
For more ideas on what to see in the city, take a look at our full museums guide for Edinburgh.
