Scottish National Gallery receives £5m HLF funding boost to transform galleries and gardens

Designed by Hoskins Architects, the project will create improved natural light into the galleries and offer views into the gardens, which will be landscaped to reinforce their connection to the galleries and this important part of Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site.

During renovation, the Scottish National Gallery will remain open to the public, and once completed the new displays will tell the story of Scottish art from the 17th to the mid-20th century (including the Scottish Colourists), in chronological order, while also exploring themes of wider cultural relevance.

The presentation will be constantly refreshed with the addition of dynamic and changing displays drawn from the riches of the collection, including the outstanding holding of Scottish graphic art.

The Scottish National Gallery is the national art gallery of Scotland and is located on The Mound in central Edinburgh, in a neoclassical building designed by William Henry Playfair, and first opened to the public in 1859.

It is home to the world’s finest collection of Scottish art, rich in the works of artists such as Allan Ramsay, Sir Henry Raeburn and Sir David Wilkie, as well as many, many others.

“The completion of the project will give this wonderful resource the prominence it deserves, and enable the National Galleries of Scotland to highlight the history, significance and impact of Scottish art, both nationally and internationally, to a much wider audience,” said a spokesperson.

The building’s redevelopment will be complemented by an extensive and ambitious programme of activity, encouraging public engagement with the Scottish art collection both on- and off-site. The Scottish National Gallery intends to widen the audience for Scottish art by raising awareness of the variety of activities and experiences on offer.