Timeline
10:00
National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait
Head straight to the National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait as it opens at 10:00. The entrance hall features a grand frieze of notable Scots in procession, and you can see portraits of figures like Mary Queen of Scots, Billy Connolly, and Tilda Swinton in peace before the midday rush.
11:30
Walk four minutes to Cafe Royal. This beautifully tiled Victorian palace serves seafood and classics in a stylish setting. It is a perfect spot for a relaxed lunch or a snack in a historic building that was originally a showroom for fixtures and fittings.
12:30
End your outing with a drink at The Dome, just a four-minute walk away. This former bank headquarters now operates as a bar and grill with a grand exterior and impressive interior, offering a fittingly grand finale to your gallery visit.
Local tip
The gallery is free and open daily from 10:00. Arriving right at opening ensures you have the space to appreciate the grand frieze and portraits without the crowds. Cafe Royal and The Dome are both open for lunch and evening service.
Check before you go
- National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait opens at 10:00 daily.
- Cafe Royal is open Mo-Th and Su 11:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-01:00.
- The Dome is open daily 10:00-24:00.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Edinburgh (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).