THE full extent of the ambitious £22 million project to redevelop the Scottish National Gallery to give more emphasis to Scottish art was unveiled in Edinburgh yesterday.
New gallery spaces at the Scottish National Gallery (SNG) on the Mound will showcase Scottish art and there will be a new public space in the heart of the Edinburgh with extensive new landscaping and accessible paths linking the gallery to Princes Street Gardens.
In addition, there will be new
displays across the entire SNG and, despite fears to the contrary, it will remain open throughout the project
According to the National Galleries of Scotland (NGS), the new suite of galleries will “provide a light-filled, new home for the gallery’s unrivalled collection of Scottish art, raising its profile for visitors from all over the world”.
NGS stated: “For the first time in a generation, there will be new displays drawn from the Scottish and international collection throughout the entire gallery.
“This fresh approach will allow us to tell much richer stories about Scotland’s art, reflecting the international significance of pioneering figures such as Allan Ramsay, Gavin Hamilton and Sir David Wilkie.
“A series of large windows, running the length of the new gardens-level facade, will fill the galleries with light and colour, and offer spectacular views over one of the most celebrated cityscapes in the world.
“Extensive new landscaping in the gardens will radically improve access to this much-loved part of the city, and the project will also create a larger shop, brand new café and more accessible restaurant.”
Construction work on the project – which is supported by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery – will begin next month. During the two years of construction, the gallery will be open as usual with free admission.
Sir John Leighton, director-general of NGS, said: “This is a hugely exciting time for us, as we see our ambitious plans for the Scottish National Gallery getting under way.
“We will create the perfect showcase for the nation’s extraordinary collection of Scottish art, giving it room to breathe and showing it off with real pride to the world. “
Co-director of the Scottish National Gallery Project,Dr Tricia Allerston, added: “Soon visitors will be able easily to discover, appreciate and enjoy our highly significant collections of Scottish art through a series of innovative displays designed expressly to engage them.”
The SNG redevelopment has been designed by one of Scotland’s leading architectural practices, Hoskins Architects.
To enable excavation works to the galleries directly beneath, the Playfair Steps, at the rear of the SNG, will be closed for the duration of the building work. Apart from a short period in early 2019, the Mound precinct will remain open, and events such as the Christmas market will go ahead as scheduled.
Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop said the project would “further enhance our nation’s profile and raise the international profile of our world-class galleries”.
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