The Hall of Heroes

From the first bust installed in 1886, through to the latest sculptures introduced in 2019, the Hall of Heroes tells the story of illustrious Scots who have made their own mark on the story of Scotland.

Inspiring a nation

The idea of a hero has been taken beyond the traditional notion of brave freedom fighters to include heroes from a wide range of fields. There are a total of 18 busts in the Hall of Heroes, with additional displays sharing the story of 12 heroines who each have achieved greatness, often in the face of adversity.

The busts were donated at different times, sometimes by subscription and at other times by a single donor.

Scotland’s Heroines

The most recent additions are the busts of Maggie Keswick Jencks and Mary Slessor. These women were selected by public vote and created by female sculptures in Scotland. They were moved to the gallery in April 2019.

Read more about the ‘Scotland’s Heroines‘ project here.