A picture of popularity as gallery sets new record on first day

THE new-look Scottish National Portrait Gallery has been given a huge thumbs-up from visitors after its busiest day.

More than 2,000 visitors – virtually double the previous record for the building – flocked through the doors after the Edinburgh attraction was finally opened to the public by the artist and playwright John Byrne after a string of sneak preview events.

The reaction to the £17.6 million revamp, which has seen 17 new exhibition spaces created during a two-year closure, was overwhelmingly positive, with many comments focusing on the huge amount of extra space that had been created, as well as modern new facilities such as a central lift and an expanded cafe.

First Minister Alex Salmond, who later officially opened the revamped Queen Street landmark, said the occasion was the latest phase of a year-long “renaissance in our cultural heritage”, following the restoration of Stirling Castle, the refurbishment of the National Museum of Scotland and the new Burns Birthplace Museum, in Ayrshire.

More than 600 exhibits that have gone on display at the portrait gallery are new to the attraction, which dates back to 1889, when it was the world’s first purpose-built portrait gallery.

Mr Byrne, a portrait of whom features among the exhibits, told The Scotsman: “I can’t praise it enough to be honest.

“I’ve only had a whistle-stop tour but there are hundreds of paintings I’ve never seen in my life before. The fact that these musty storerooms and dark cobwebbed old places have been turned into bright new galleries is amazing.

“I think it’s excellent value for money considering the billions that we see spent on shopping malls and these other temples of purchase. This really is something to be proud of.”

Tom Walker, 67, from Comely Bank, who was among the visitors yesterday, said: “It’s very different to what it was like before.

“There is so much more space and it is much brighter with all the daylight that has now been allowed to come into the building. It was quite a dismal place before. They’ve made a brilliant job of it.”

Alistair Mackie, 64, a retired solicitor, from Dunbar, in East Lothian, said: “I’m delighted by the improved facilities, the layout and the way in which Scotland’s treasures are being displayed. It was always a grand building and now it is even more fitting.

“The audio visual displays are really imaginative and up to date. It is very futuristic while retaining the best of Scotland’s past. It is a nice combination.”

Livio Morabito, 33, a photography student at Stevenson College, said: “It has always been an inspirational building, but it seems to have virtually doubled in size since the refurbishment. It feels much more open. I think it’s been money well spent.”

Mr Salmond said: “The re-opening of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery which celebrates well-known Scots from throughout the ages; whether they are some of our greatest thinkers or our modern actors and actresses, sees the culmination of two years’ work to not only restore this wonderful building but allow visitors to experience much of what architect Sir Robert Rowand Anderson envisaged in his original design, as it continues to showcase Scotland’s greatest asset – its people.”

John Leighton, director general of the National Galleries of Scotland, said: “We are delighted by the enthusiastic response from the public. The feedback so far suggests that the new Scottish National Portrait Gallery strikes a chord with a wide range of visitors from home and abroad.”