National Galleries Scotland: Portrait

This neo-Gothic palace is a loveletter to Scotland. A hidden gem right at the heart of Edinburgh, it was designed by Sir Robert Rowand Anderson as a shrine for Scotland’s heroes and heroines. It opened to the public in 1889 as the world’s first purpose-built portrait gallery. The art within tells you stories of the land and its people. Discover familiar faces of Scotland - contemporary portraits of pop culture icons like Billy Connolly, Emeli Sandé and Tilda Swinton sit alongside pioneers in science, sport and famous historical figures such as Mary Queen of Scots, Robert Burns and Charles Edward Stuart. The gallery is decorated in elaborate murals and sculptural embellishments inside and out. Take time to look up at the Zodiac ceiling in the world-famous Great Hall and reflect and relax in Café Portrait.