National Galleries Scotland: National
National Galleries Scotland: National
View on Google MapsPhoto: Elida Boyas
About National Galleries Scotland: National
Scotland's premier art museum welcomes families with wheelchair hire, baby facilities and pushchair-friendly galleries showcasing world-class paintings and sculptures in Edinburgh's historic heart.
What's nearby
- Princes Street Gardens 200m away
- Scott Monument 200m away
- Edinburgh Castle 350m away
Distances as the crow flies, via Google
Good to know
Parking
- ✓Paid street
Accessibility
- ✓Accessible entrance
- ✓Accessible toilet
- ✓Accessible seating
Details via Google — worth confirming with the attraction before you travel, especially for access needs.
Photos
Photos via Google
Facilities
Opening hours
- Monday
- 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday
- 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday
- 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday
- 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday
- 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday
- 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday
- 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Current hours may differ from the usual schedule above (e.g. holidays) — check Google Maps for today's hours.
What visitors say
The National Galleries of Scotland: National is a wonderful place to visit, whether you’re an art enthusiast or simply curious. Admission is free, making it an easy stop while exploring Edinburgh. The gallery features an impressive collection spanning from the Renaissance to modern art. Seeing works by artists such as Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, Rembrandt, and Diego Velázquez was definitely a highlight. The gallery is easy to explore without feeling overwhelming. The exhibition spaces are bright and well organized, making it enjoyable to spend a couple of hours there. The upper levels also offer lovely views over the city. Before leaving, I’d recommend stopping by the gallery shop, which has an excellent selection of art books, postcards, and high-quality souvenirs.
· via Google
💰 Price / Value for Money – Good Free entry is a big plus, but there isn't enough to see for a longer visit. 💡 Tip – A good option to escape the rain for a while, but don't plan too much time here. ✅ Would I Recommend? Yes, if you're nearby I spent around 30 minutes in the museum, which was enough to see everything that interested me. Single works by Rembrandt, Monet, and Van Gogh are on display. There are also some interesting Scottish art pieces. Opening hours are quite short. Overall, the collection felt rather limited. Free admission makes it worth a quick visit. 🌍 Background – Adult tourists, first time in Edinburgh.
· via Google
This gallery was stunning. It was clean, well sign-posted and every painting had a detailed description alongside it. Staff were available in each room to assist and answer any questions. A great amenity was the availability of luggage/backpack storage lockers on Level 1, which take a £2 coin that is returned to you after use. If you do not have this, then a token for the lockers can be bought from reception for a £2 donation to the galleries, which is very reasonable! Despite us visiting on a Saturday, the gallery felt spacious and was not overcrowded at all. The gift shop was lovely, offering a wide selection of souvenirs for art lovers. Overall, it took us around 2 hours to complete our visit.
· via Google
We visited the Scottish National Gallery during a public holiday and were pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t crowded at all. Admission is free, but a donation of around £5 is recommended, which we think is absolutely fair considering the quality of the collection. The gallery is very well organized, with a great selection of paintings and artworks. The space is comfortable to walk through, everything is clearly displayed, and it’s easy to follow the layout. Overall, definitely worth a visit if you’re in Edinburgh—even if you’re not a huge art enthusiast.
· via Google
Visitors say this art gallery offers an impressive collection of Scottish and international masterpieces, including works by famous artists like Van Gogh and Monet. They also highlight the free admission, making it an accessible and worthwhile experience. Guests mention the calm, elegant atmosphere and the helpful, knowledgeable staff.
Summary via Google
At a glance
- Address
- The Mound, Edinburgh, EH2 2EL Get directions
- Category
- Museums & Galleries
- Guest rating
- 4.7 / 5 (17,291 reviews)
- Suitable for
- All Ages
- Suggested visit
- 1-2 hours
- Setting
- Indoor
- Good for children
- Yes
- Toilets on site
- Yes
- Destination
- Edinburgh