culture
Edinburgh's National Gallery Opens 12 New Scottish Art Galleries
The National on Princes Street has added twelve new galleries for Scottish art, expanding display space and access features in a project that aligns with the city's mix of artist-run venues and major institutions.
How we reported this
The National Galleries of Scotland has completed twelve new galleries at the National on Princes Street dedicated to Scottish art from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. These spaces opened to the public on 30 September and form part of a wider redevelopment that more than doubled the room available for displays.
The work matters now because Edinburgh maintains a layered arts environment where independent, artist-run spaces such as Summerhall, Stills, Rhubaba and St Margaret's House operate alongside established institutions. The new galleries increase capacity to show historic Scottish work at a time when local venues continue to support emerging voices through studio visits and small exhibitions.
Access upgrades at the National
Improvements include a new accessible path through east Princes Street Gardens, additional lifts, a partial Changing Place facility, an accessible entrance, new toilets and a pram store. Visitors can also follow new trails and use audioguides. The scheme was designed by Hoskins Architects with exhibition input from Metaphor.
More than 130 works now appear in the Scottish galleries, featuring pieces by William McTaggart, Anne Redpath, Phoebe Anna Traquair, Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the Glasgow Boys. At Mound level, five refreshed international displays present more than 460 artworks by artists including Poussin, Gauguin, Monet, Chardin and Canaletto. Three purpose-built areas allow regular rotation of fragile drawings.
Funding and construction details
The project cost £38.62 million according to the Museums Association. The Scottish Government contributed £15.25 million and the National Lottery Heritage Fund £6.89 million, while a fundraising drive secured more than £16 million from trusts, patrons and individuals. Construction started in October 2018, with the first phase finished in 2019; this added a new café, refurbished restaurant and shop plus landscaping in the gardens.
Residents and visitors can explore the expanded displays at the National while also visiting nearby independent spaces such as Summerhall or St Margaret's House to see current work by local artists. The combination keeps Edinburgh's visual-arts offer varied and accessible throughout the year.