Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art Museum
Modern art galleries in Edinburgh with twentieth-century collections
In Edinburgh, the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art comprises two galleries and a sculpture park displaying Scottish and international 20th‑ and 21st‑century art. Visitors walk the grounds and view modern collections.
The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art is the national gallery for 20th- and 21st-century art in Edinburgh, displayed across two nearby buildings commonly called Modern One and Modern Two. The complex also includes an extensive outdoor sculpture park that presents large-scale works in a landscaped setting.
Inside the galleries are displays of British and international modern and contemporary art, with rotating temporary exhibitions alongside the permanent collection. The outdoor sculpture park links the two buildings and provides year-round access to major works set among lawns, paths and mature trees.
The gallery buildings are housed in repurposed 19th-century properties adapted to museum use and form part of the National Galleries of Scotland’s modern-art programme. The site supports education, exhibitions and public programming for modern art.
The galleries are located west of Edinburgh’s city centre near Dean Village and Stockbridge, within walking distance of central Edinburgh and accessible by local transit.
- Two-site layout: Operates across two nearby buildings - commonly called Modern One and Modern Two - linked by an outdoor sculpture park that hosts large-scale works.
- Sculpture park: The sculpture park presents works in a landscaped setting and is a key outdoor highlight alongside the indoor galleries and temporary exhibitions.
What to See#
- Modern One: Modern One, one of the gallery buildings housing permanent collections of 20th-century and contemporary art and rotating temporary exhibitions.
- Modern Two: Modern Two, a second nearby gallery building that contains additional modern and contemporary collections plus exhibition spaces and public galleries.
- Sculpture Park: An outdoor sculpture park located between the two buildings that displays large-scale modern and contemporary sculptures set in landscaped grounds.
How to Get to Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art#
The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art is in Edinburgh’s West End on Belford Road/West Register Street. It’s about a 20-25 minute walk (roughly 1-1.5 miles) west from Princes Street and around a 10-15 minute walk from Haymarket railway station. The site is served by Edinburgh’s Lothian Buses (various routes into the city centre and Haymarket); expect a short walk from nearby bus stops to the gallery.
Tips for Visiting Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art#
- Start at Modern One to see the core collection, then follow the short path to Modern Two and the sculpture park-the outdoor grounds between the buildings are often quieter and hold major works that people miss.
- Aim for mid-morning on a weekday to avoid school-group rushes; temporary exhibitions in either building are rotated regularly, so check the gallery's website and prioritize those you want to see.
Best Time to Visit Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art#
Visit outside peak summer months for fewer crowds and an easier time seeing exhibitions.
Weather & Climate near Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art#
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 20°C. Moderate rainfall (652 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 6°C. The wettest month with 66 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
