Wendy McMurdo – The Digital Mirror

The Digital Mirror is now open at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh and runs until Sunday 25 October 2026.

The free exhibition looks at childhood, learning, play and the digital world through the work of one of Scotland’s leading photographers.

Key Event Details

Detail	Info
Event	Wendy McMurdo, The Digital Mirror
Dates	On now until Sunday 25 October 2026
Times	Open daily, 10am to 5pm
Venue	Scottish National Portrait Gallery
Address	1 Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2 1JD
Admission	Free
Audio tour	Free audio tour available
Official page	https://www.nationalgalleries.org/exhibition/wendy-mcmurdo-digital-mirror

What To Expect

The Digital Mirror is Wendy McMurdo’s largest exhibition to date.

The show covers around 20 years of work, focusing on children, technology, learning, and make-believe. McMurdo was one of the early Scottish artists to experiment with computers and digital tools in photography, and this exhibition looks at how those ideas developed over time.

Expect photography, moving-image work, and related objects from museum collections.

Childhood, Play and the Digital World

The exhibition explores how technology has changed the way children learn, play, and imagine.

That gives the show a sharper edge than a standard photography display. Some of the work reflects early computer-based learning in schools, while other pieces connect to internet culture, games and digital identity.

There are also familiar objects and artworks shown alongside McMurdo’s work, including children’s toys, an Eduardo Paolozzi sculpture and Henry Raeburn’s The Skating Minister.

Tickets & Entry

Entry is free.

You don’t need a paid ticket for the main exhibition, but check the official National Galleries Scotland page before visiting in case opening times, access details or related event listings change.

Official exhibition page:
https://www.nationalgalleries.org/exhibition/wendy-mcmurdo-digital-mirror

Location

The exhibition is at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery on Queen Street.

The gallery is close to St Andrew Square, Princes Street, George Street and Edinburgh Waverley, making it easy to add to a city-centre day out.

Getting There

The nearest tram stop is St Andrew Square, about 2 minutes on foot.

Waverley Station is also nearby. From the station, head towards Princes Street, walk through St Andrew Square, then continue to Queen Street.

Several Lothian Buses routes stop close to the gallery, including services on Princes Street and around St Andrew Square.

Our Tips

• Use this as an easy, free city-centre stop, especially on a wet day.
• Bring headphones if you want to use the free audio tour on your own phone.
• Leave time to explore the rest of the Portrait Gallery while you’re there.
• Check the related events programme, as talks, tours and access sessions run alongside the exhibition.

Sources

National Galleries Scotland exhibition page:
https://www.nationalgalleries.org/exhibition/wendy-mcmurdo-digital-mirror

Scottish National Portrait Gallery visitor information:
https://www.nationalgalleries.org/visit/scottish-national-portrait-gallery