Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art

The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art stands in Edinburgh’s west end, on Belford Road. Two neoclassical buildings, Modern One and Modern Two, face each other across a stretch of parkland. Modern One began as the John Watson’s Institution, built in 1825 as a home for orphaned children. Modern Two was once the Dean Orphan Hospital, designed in 1833 by Thomas Hamilton. The site was once part of the Water of Leith walkway, reached by steep steps behind the gallery. The gallery holds more than six thousand works in painting, sculpture, video and prints dating from 1900 to today. It is recognised for its strong holdings of Scottish Colourists and post-war art, including works by Matisse, Picasso, Bacon and Warhol. The ARTIST ROOMS collection brings together major names such as Warhol, Bourgeois and Hirst. Modern Two focuses on Surrealism and houses Eduardo Paolozzi’s reconstructed studio and his towering sculpture Vulcan. Visitors walk through landscaped grounds dotted with works by Hepworth, Moore and Long. A serpentine mound and pools designed by Charles Jencks form a striking Landform in front of Modern One. Martin Creed’s neon text runs across the façade of Modern One. Inside, changing displays show modern and contemporary art, while Modern Two offers a library and archive of Surrealist books and documents.