Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Edinburgh

Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Edinburgh

Modern Two, previously known as the Dean Gallery, is situated in Edinburgh and forms one half of the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, a major art institution in Scotland. Managed by National Galleries Scotland, it works in tandem with its counterpart, Modern One, located just across Belford Road.

The history of the building traces back to 1727, when Andrew Gairdner, a local merchant, established a facility for orphans. This structure, originally the Dean Orphanage, became the subject of an 1830 watercolour by Thomas Hamilton. Its construction, which took three years, used Craigleith stone from a nearby quarry. The building's English Baroque style incorporates classical elements, and its towers, which house chimneys, are a notable part of Edinburgh’s western skyline. Owned by the City of Edinburgh Council, the building served as the Dean Education Centre for many years before its transformation into a gallery.

The building's conversion into a gallery was overseen by Terry Farrell and Partners, and it opened in 1999 across from the existing Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. In 2011, the two buildings were renamed as Modern Two and Modern One.

Modern Two is renowned for housing the Paolozzi Gift, a collection from Sir Eduardo Paolozzi, and also showcases an extensive array of Dada and Surrealist art and literature, largely donated by Gabrielle Keiller. Additionally, it hosts temporary exhibitions.

The gallery is encircled by a sculpture garden, displaying various modern and avant-garde pieces, such as William Turnbull's Gate (1972), George Rickey's Two Lines up Excentric VI (1977), and Emile-Antoine Bourdelle's La Vierge d'Alsace (1919–1921), among others.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Edinburgh. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art on Map

Sight Name: Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
Sight Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (See walking tours in Edinburgh)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery

Walking Tours in Edinburgh, Scotland

Create Your Own Walk in Edinburgh

Create Your Own Walk in Edinburgh

Creating your own self-guided walk in Edinburgh is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Harry Potter Trail

Harry Potter Trail

Years after the last Harry Potter book hit the shelves and the last movie rolled its credits, the cultural phenomenon of Harry Potter doesn't seem to fade away, and the fandom continues strong as ever. Although by now Harry Potter has become a household name across the globe, his literary roots are right here in Edinburgh.

Indeed, J.K. Rowling wrote much of the saga in Scotland’s...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
New Town Walking Tour

New Town Walking Tour

Rightly regarded as the historic masterpiece of city planning, the New Town of Edinburgh has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. The area forms a significant part of the Scottish capital and is known for its elegant Georgian architecture, abundant shopping opportunities, and many other delights firmly associated with this city.

One of the prominent landmarks in the New Town is...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Royal Mile Walking Tour

Royal Mile Walking Tour

The Royal Mile, a steep thoroughfare in the heart of Edinburgh, has served as the city’s backbone since the medieval period. Carved along a volcanic ridge called Castle Rock, this spine of the Old Town slopes down from the mighty Edinburgh Castle at one end to the Holyroodhouse Palace and the weathered ruins of Holyrood Abbey at the other. The distance is almost exactly one Scots mile (hence the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Edinburgh Pub Crawl

Edinburgh Pub Crawl

Edinburgh is rich in pubs, both old and new, spoiling their patrons with the best in town drinks and food. Although most traditional pubs in the city are laid back, with a quiet and relaxing atmosphere, some have dance floors and double as nightclubs. This self-guided adventure takes you to several such spots, each with its own story to tell.

Our journey begins at the World's End Pub, a...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Edinburgh Introduction Walking Tour

Edinburgh Introduction Walking Tour

If you like cities with a split personality, Edinburgh is definitely one such, featuring a striking mix of medieval and Georgian architecture. Indeed, here medieval grit meets Enlightenment wit, and every cobbled incline has a story to tell-whether your legs are ready for it or not. Perched (or more like wedged) across volcanic hills, the city has been Scotland’s capital since the 15th century...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Old Town Walking Tour

Old Town Walking Tour

Edinburgh’s Old Town isn’t just old-it’s ancient, smoky, and proud of itself. This is the city’s historic core, where centuries of drama, diplomacy, and architectural ambition come layered in stone, soot, and scandal. From its Celtic roots to Roman incursions and royal power plays, this part of town has seen more plot twists than a binge-worthy period drama.

At the heart of it all lies...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


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