Located in the heart of Edinburgh’s UNESCO World Heritage Site and next to the picturesque Princes Street Gardens, the National Galleries of Scotland is a world-famous neoclassical masterpiece that first opened its doors in 1859. A landmark of the city’s architectural heritage, the galleries house a vast collection of art, including masterpieces from Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Picasso and Warhol.
Originally comprising 26 galleries, the venue recently underwent a significant expansion, adding 12 new galleries for which a new basement section was excavated from the foundation of the campus and linked via tunnel to the main building.
The £38 million project, which has more than doubled the space for displays, began in 2018 before finally opening to visitors in September 2024.
Mackay Decorators was contracted with the interior decoration of the new space. Being a venue of national pride and heritage, the client only demanded the work to be done to the highest standard.


Mark Nevin, Director of Mackay Decorators, knew that a space housing priceless artworks and visited by millions of art enthusiasts and tourists each year left no scope for error. With the high traffic expected, using products that provided an impeccable finish and high durability was a must.
The original products specified would not have been suitable for the demands of the project, so Mark contacted the team at PPG, who advised using Johnstone’s Trade Acrylic Durable Matt, an ideal choice for high footfall areas that need utmost durability. The product was used in blue, red, white and teal shades to match the rest of the gallery and gold leaf was applied to add ornate touches to specific areas.
“It took about a year to finish the job,” said Mark. “Extra care and attention to detail was required at all times due to the sensitive nature of the works and it still being a live gallery space. We also had to work alongside other tradespeople simultaneously which added further challenges.”
The project received many accolades and appreciation from both clients and visitors, and the expansion resulted in a significant increase in visitors in the gallery. The project was also awarded at the 2024 Johnstone’s Painter of the Year Awards in the Education and Healthcare category.
Megan Esmond, PPG Marketing Director UK&I, said: “The competition at the latest Johnstone’s Painter of the Year Awards was incredibly tough, but Mackay Decorators were a very deserving winner. The care and attention the team put into redecorating this iconic building was remarkable and the results speak for themselves. A huge congratulations to them for taking home the Education and Healthcare award.”
The 41st Johnstone’s Painter of the Year Awards will take place on in April 2025 at Aerospace Bristol, and entries for the 42nd edition will open later this year.
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