Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Great Hall And Balcony
1 Queen Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1JD -
Up to
200 standingOffers
cateringInternal Catering
allowed
Situated in the very heart of Edinburgh, the Scottish National Gallery is one of the most prestigious venues for events. This central site comprises two grand classical buildings; the Scottish National Gallery, which houses Scotland’s greatest collection of art, and the Royal Scottish Academy, which mounts international blockbuster exhibitions.
This splendid gallery venue is available for dinners, receptions and exclusive private views. Guests can enjoy champagne, cocktails and canapés in wonderful surroundings, plus an exclusive private view of the Gallery’s treasured art collection in the company of an expert curator.
Capacity & layout
Standing
up to 200
Pricing
& opening hours
Weekly schedule
monday
0:00 - 24:00
tuesday
0:00 - 24:00
wednesday
0:00 - 24:00
thursday
0:00 - 24:00
friday
0:00 - 24:00
saturday
0:00 - 24:00
sunday
0:00 - 24:00
Catering & drinks
Catering arrangements
Refreshments
Amenities
Public transport
Premises parking
Overnight accommodation
Location
Reviews
Sue Bell
Great visit to this superb National Portrait Gallery earlier this week. The selection of art is vast and the quality of portraits amazing - so exciting and impressed! Lovely cafe and staff (as in all the other galleries) in a beautiful building and setting. Would deffo recommend a visit and for FREE too x
Zena Jackson
Wow! So incredible that the National Galleries are free! The portrait one has been my favourite so far. The audio tour you can play for free on your phone and it provides an easy way to understand the portraits better. Loved the photography exhibition there at the moment till march I think. Cafe downstairs and a little shop to buy souvenirs. Great history and also modern works which is refreshing. Would recommend to anyone to visit, an amazing and free day out :D
Chrystele Lee
Absolutely gorgeous! Definitely a must-see in Edinburgh. I highly recommend coming here, there are so many famous portraits!
Nancy Woods
Faces of Scotland - A Journey Through Time at the Portrait Gallery! Just wanted to tell you about my incredible trip to the National Scottish Portrait Gallery today! It was a real journey through time, walking through the halls and encountering all these iconic figures from Scotland's history. The frieze on the first floor was mind-blowing! Seeing all those historical figures, from Caledonia herself to modern-day icons, lining the walls was like stepping into a giant tapestry of Scottish stories. It was fascinating to see how Mr. Hall interpreted each personality through his art, and how the frieze unfolds like a timeline of the nation's development. And then there was the ceiling! Those astrological constellations reminded me of gazing up at the night sky, and how it's always connected us to something larger than ourselves. It felt like a subtle nod to the enduring spirit of Scotland, always looking up and striving for something more. However, I have to admit, the galleries felt a bit stuck in the past. There wasn't a single mention of digital technologies or VR exhibits, which seems like a huge missed opportunity! Imagine experiencing Scottish history through virtual reality, walking alongside the figures in the frieze or even stepping into their shoes. It would be a whole new level of connection, don't you think? And seriously, no lift today? My legs were begging for a break after all that stair climbing! Even a simple AI assistant to answer questions or guide visitors would be a huge improvement. Overall, it was a fantastic experience, but I couldn't help but feel that the gallery could do so much more to connect with modern audiences. Maybe they could even have a section dedicated to showcasing the contributions of contemporary Scots in different fields, using those fancy digital tools! Anyway, just wanted to share my thoughts with you all, fellow history buff.