National Galleries Scotland (NGS) has reopened the Scottish National Portrait Gallery after completing work on an extensive £17.6m refurbishment of Edinburgh attraction.

The gallery was initially designed by architect Sir Robert Rowand Anderson and was one of the first purpose-built portrait galleries in the world when it opened in 1889.

Work has now been carried out by BAM Construction in a two-year scheme to provide new education facilities, including a multi-purpose teaching suite and a resource centre.

Spaces that had been closed to the public have been opened up, while there has also been an increase in exhibition space as part of the refurbishment programme.

Displays at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery are now based around broad 'Key Areas' and the attraction's programme of education activities has been expanded.

The gallery joins the new Robert Burns Birthplace Museum and revamped National Museum of Scotland as a major attraction to open or benefit from a completed overhaul in 2011.

First Minister Alex Salmond said: "In a matter of one year, we have seen some of our most important treasure houses reinstated as world-leaders in their field.

"The re-opening of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery 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."

Image: National Galleries Scotland/Chris Watt