Galleries fear end for era of free entry era

ART enthusiasts may have to pay to see Scotland's top collections if tough funding cuts are imposed.

Admission to the National Galleries of Scotland (NGS) in Edinburgh is currently free, but directors have not ruled out charging for entry if its budget is slashed in the forthcoming Scottish Spending Review.

More than a million people visit the National Galleries, which include the National Gallery complex on The Mound and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, every year. Its five buildings house Scottish and international art dating from the Middle Ages to the present day, cared for by trustees on behalf of the people of Scotland.

Director General John Leighton said: "With the exception of a very brief period in 1974, admission to the permanent collections of NGS has always been free. The trustees have no plans to introduce admission charges as they regard free admission as a crucial part of the effort to widen audiences. However, our ability to retain free admission will depend entirely on the level of any reductions in grant-in-aid in the Scottish Spending Review."

Chancellor George Osborne unveiled 81 billion of cuts across the UK earlier this month.

The Scottish Government will lose 900,000 from its next budget and about 3bn in total over the four years to 2014-15, according to the Treasury's figures. Finance Secretary John Swinney will reveal where the axe will fall next month.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "We are hopeful that free entry to museums and galleries will remain, however we are dealing with cuts imposed by the Westminster Government."