Cost fears force delays and cuts to £17m gallery overhaul
Extension scrapped as director admits scheme was ‘ambitious’
THE director of the National Galleries of Scotland has revealed the “ambitious” £17 million overhaul of the Scottish National Gallery would be scaled back and delayed amid fears costs were spiralling.
Sir John Leighton said the U-turn on the Edinburgh landmark would delay opening by a year to 2020 and plans for a 16ft extension into East Princes Street Gardens – that would sit above a railway line – would be scrapped due to the complexity and added cost.
It would have seen an extensive new plaza created in front of the gallery.
Sir John said “with hindsight” the project had been “ambitious”.
“This is about cost and risk,” he said. “The tender costs for this took us beyond what was justifiable or affordable.
“There was so much risk, in the end, it is just about sensible governance. All projects go through adjustments and you have to realign and recalibrate. You have to think about delivering the main plan as well as value for money.”
The revision of the plan for the revamp is the second setback for the overhaul this year – in March the galleries said work had been delayed as engineering issues were assessed.
The estimated completion date for the project has now been delayed by a year to 2020 and there will be increased costs, the value of which is unknown.
However, the exhibition space will be revised, with Scottish art to be interspersed with international pieces rather than occupy its own section of the Scottish National Gallery.
It is thought comparisons between the homegrown artworks and those from abroad will offer a “completely different experience”.
Sir John said: “The National Galleries of Scotland looks after an amazing collection of Scottish art and our aim is to provide these works of art with the world-class showcase that they deserve.
“As with any venture, this project has its fair share of challenges but we are delighted that we can now move forward with plans that maintain our ambition to completely transform the presentation of Scottish art and the experience of visitors to the Scottish National Gallery.”
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop welcomed the revised blueprints outlined by gallery bosses to “ensure this ambitious project can be delivered in line with the development’s original aims”.
She added: “Celebrating Scotland’s art will significantly enhance the visitor experience at this already top-rated attraction, encourage even more people to access and enjoy its famous collections and raise the international profile of Scottish art.”