Scotland’s national galleries have ‘long way to go’ to be inclusive, says outgoing chief

The cafe at the new Scottish galleries at the National in Edinburgh should make the site more welcoming, says Sir John Leighton. Photograph: Murdo MacLeod/the Guardian

Scotland’s national galleries, which house some of the country’s greatest works of art, need to do far more to make themselves accessible and inclusive, their outgoing director general has said.

Sir John Leighton, who is retiring in February after 17 years as head of the National Galleries in Scotland (NGS), said the organisation “still has a long way to go” to broaden the audience beyond Edinburgh’s middle classes and tourists.