National Portrait Gallery

artslover
artslover
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
2
Reviews
1
Photo

Scottish National Portrait Gallery

  • October 12, 2006
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Mandan Lynn from Smithwick, South Dakota
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
10-5pm daily (Thurs till 7pm)
Free!

The Portrait Gallery is another of Scotland's free museums. It's made up of portraits of the people who have shaped Scotland's history, and I found it surprisingly fascinating. It's a fairly large collection; you should be able to spend quite a bit of time here if you want to. It wasn't at all crowded.

My favorite portraits included those of J.M. Barrie, Andrew Carnegie, the beautiful young Queen Elizabeth II, and a painting called The Oncologists. This was an eerie work of three doctors whose research is helping to battle cancer. You won't want to miss that painting. In fact, I'm going to recommend going to the Portrait Gallery just to see that work. It's moving.

Definitely visit the Portrait Gallery before the National Gallery, and if you only have time for one of those -- this one is it.

From journal Taking the High Road to Scotland

Scottish National Portrait Gallery

  • March 15, 2006
  • Rated 3 of 5 by artslover from Calgary, Alberta
Scottish National Portrait Gallery

The Gallery building alone is worth a quick visit. Made out of red sandstone, with turrets and statuary adorning the exterior, it looks like a Gothic castle but was built in Victorian times.

Inside is also castle-like, with wide staircases and mural paintings on the walls. Admission is free.

Like the National Portrait Gallery in London, the paintings and sculptures are often important for the sitter rather than the quality of art. But some good art is to be found, including many Raeburns, and some Reynolds. Portraits of key historical figures make up most of the collection. There is a particular emphasis on the Scottish royalty, but you can find some contemporary portraits including Sir Sean Connery, who was born in Edinburgh.

From journal Endlessly Fascinating Edinburgh

Compare Edinburgh Rates

1. Enter travel information

City

2. Select websites to compare rates

Each selected website will open a new window.

Edinburgh Travel Deals