Gallery to be freshened up

THE National Gallery and its Scottish art collection is to be revamped and modernised, it was reported today.

The National Galleries Scotland director-general John Leighton said that the next major project to follow the redevelopment of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery would be an upgrade of the buildings on The Mound.

Mr Leighton has in the past expressed disappointment in the gallery's Scottish collections, which are housed in the basement.

Work on the Portrait Gallery is nearing completion with public and exhibition space increased by more than 60 per cent, new galleries and a larger cafe and shop.