The National Gallery Complex is one of Scotland’s top free visitor attractions and Edinburgh’s second most-visited attraction after the Castle. It is made up of three interconnected buildings, right in the heart of Edinburgh. The National Gallery of Scotland is home to a major part of Scotland’s sensational national collection of fine art; the Royal Scottish Academy Building (RSA) is one of Europe’s premier venues for international exhibitions; and the Weston Link, which lies beneath the two buildings, connects them together with areas for shopping, learning, eating and drinking.
The National Portrait Gallery
Built in 1885-1890 as the National Portrait Gallery and National Museum of Antiquities, designed by Sir Robert Rowand Anderson, 1834-1921.
This is the place to go if you want to see portraits and old photographs of not only famous, but ordinary Scotsmen and women. Head straight for Rooms 3 and 4 on the top floor for these. Downstairs are oil paintings of Kings and Queens of Scotland; some are exceptionally fine examples of Renaissance portraiture.
Changing international exhibitions of contemporary art, in what used to be the Fruit Market just to the south of Waverley Station in the center of Edinburgh.
