Museum · Edinburgh
Scottish National Gallery: free entry days, tickets & hours
Independent guide, not the official The National website. Official links are under Sources.
The National is free to enter.
- Open today 10:00–17:00.
- Also free: Catherine Opie: To Be Seen free for under-18s (until 1 Nov 2026); Catherine Opie exhibition free for carers of disabled visitors.
Before you go
How to actually get in for free
- Catherine Opie: To Be Seen free for under-18s (until 1 Nov 2026): Book a free timed ticket online.
- Free family trails can be downloaded (Art Stomps for under-5s, Art Chat for 5+).
- Princes Street Gardens closed on Sun 25 Oct 2026 (high winds) - use the entrances on The Mound.
All free options
Who gets in free, and when
| Free option | Who | Conditions | Book? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Always freeFree admission; charges for some exhibitions | everyone | Ticketed exhibitions are held in the Royal Scottish Academy building next door. | No |
| Free forCatherine Opie: To Be Seen free for under-18s (until 1 Nov 2026) | under-18s | — | Yes |
| Free with passCatherine Opie exhibition free for Friends and Patrons | members | — | No |
| Free forCatherine Opie exhibition free for carers of disabled visitors | carers of visitors with disabilities | — | No |
Official prices
The National ticket prices
| Catherine Opie: To Be Seen, full price incl. donation (until 1 Nov 2026) — Nearly 80 portraits by the US photographer; £12.73 without donation. | £14 |
Prices from the official website, checked Oct 2026. Free options are listed above.
Tickets & tours
Best-rated tickets and tours: The National
Ratings and prices from the booking partners; prices may change.
Practical
Opening hours & how to get there
| Mon | 10:00–17:00 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 10:00–17:00 |
| Wed | 10:00–17:00 |
| Thu | 10:00–17:00 |
| Fri | 10:00–17:00 |
| Sat | 10:00–17:00 |
| Sun | 10:00–17:00 |
Daily 10:00-17:00. Festive period: closed 25-26 December; 1 January 12:00-17:00.
The Mound, Edinburgh EH2 2EL, United Kingdom
Also free nearby
Make a free afternoon of it
Worth paying for nearby
Paid highlights within walking distance
- St Giles' CathedralVisitor Ticket (16+, non-residents of Scotland)from £12 · 0.3 km
- Edinburgh CastleEdinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticketfrom £41 · 0.4 km
- National Museum of ScotlandRoman Scotland: Life on the Edge of Empire, adult advance (14 Nov 2026 - 18 Apr 2027)from £13.50 · 0.6 km
FAQ
The National: common questions
Is The National free?
Yes — The National is free to enter. Also free: Catherine Opie: To Be Seen free for under-18s (until 1 Nov 2026); Catherine Opie exhibition free for carers of disabled visitors.
Who gets free entry to The National?
Under-18s. Carers of visitors with disabilities.
Do I need to book for free entry to The National?
Book a free timed ticket online.
Visitor reviews
What visitors say about The National
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Sources
Where this comes from
- nationalgalleries.org/visit/scottish-national-gallery · checked Saturday, 24 October 2026
- nationalgalleries.org/exhibition/catherine-opie-be-seen · checked Saturday, 24 October 2026
- nationalgalleries.org/visit/festive-opening-hours
Every free rule is checked against the official source and re-checked on a schedule. Spotted a change? Tell us.