From today the grounds at Modern One and Two are now properly open again along with a pop-up café serving coffee and cake. The grounds have been open throughout but only for those walking, wheeling or cycling in the grounds.

There are now specially created sculpture trails thanks to funding from the People’s Postcode Lottery, and the National Galleries of Scotland (NGS) facilities have been adapted to meet new safety requirements. There is no need to book as admission is free and unticketed. Visitors are asked to follow physical distancing measures.

What to expect:

  • No need to book. Admission is free and unticketed.
  • Access is via the gates on Belford Road, the Water of Leith and the Dean Graveyard.
  • The grounds and car park are open from 9.45am-5.30pm daily.
  • Toilets and a Changing Places facility are both available at Modern One from 10-5pm.
  • Stay safe while visiting and follow physical distancing rules.

To find out more about the art in the Collection through the free mobile phone app Smartify. Download the app, scan the art, and uncover the story.

All gallery buildings remain closed until August, but meantime you can walk around the grounds following the new Walk, Talk, Make sculpture trails around the grounds. This is aimed at all ages. You can see it here.

Highlights from the trail include the stunningLandform (2001) by the late Charles Jencks, with its undulating hills and calming lake, Tracey Emin’s Roman Standard (2005) and the first figure of the six that constitute Antony Gormley’s much-loved 6 TIMES (2010), a series of sculptures beginning at Modern One and which are sited along the picturesque Water of Leith.

You may just want to look at the timely and reassuring message of the Martin Creed artwork on the front of Modern One: WORK: NO. 203: EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE ALRIGHT.

Modern One. WORK: NO. 203: EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE ALRIGHT. Martin Creed Photo: Martin P. McAdam www.martinmcadam.com

The grounds and the car park will be open from 9.45am-5.30pm daily. Toilets and a Changing Places facility are both available at Modern One, from 10-5pm.

Those visiting can be kept energised by freshly brewed coffee, snacks and sweet treats from the pop-up outside cafe (open from Thursday 16 July — takeaway only) beside the front door of Modern Two. The pop-up cafe will be open from 10am-3pm each day. 

The gallery grounds at the SNGMA can be accessed via the gates on Belford Road, the Water of Leith and the Dean Graveyard.

NGS has secured the UK-wide ‘We’re Good to Go’ accreditation. The ‘We’re Good to Go’ industry standard and supporting mark means businesses across the sector can demonstrate that they are adhering to the respective Government and public health guidance, have carried out a COVID-19 risk assessment and check they have the required processes in place.

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Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.