National Galleries of Scotland (NGS) has seen a 25 per cent increase of visitors in 2012, on the previous year, with three sites in Edinburgh attracting over 1.6m people.

The highest previous figure for all three sites was recorded in 2006 with 1.56m. The results are, in part, due to the success of the opening of the refurbished Scottish National Portrait Gallery in December 2011.

Both of NGS’s other sites in Edinburgh, the Scottish National Gallery and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art also saw a rise of 3.9 percent and 4.5 per cent respectively on the previous year.

The Scottish National Portrait Gallery saw 327,980 visitors in 2012, which was its first full year of opening after the renovation. This is a 39 per cent increase on the last full calendar year of figures in 2008 before it closed for the refurbishment in early 2009.

Highlights of the 2012 programme included the Van Gogh to Kandinsky exhibition at the Scottish National Gallery and the Picasso & Modern Britain show at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art.

John Leighton, director-general of NGS said: "Art and culture are becoming increasingly important for attracting visitors to Scotland and we are working with colleagues and partners around the country to make a significant contribution to the tourist economy as well as to enhance the cultural life of the public."