A project to radically transform Scotland's National Gallery has received a £5m boost from the national lottery.
The revamp of the National Gallery, on the Mound in Edinburgh, and its Scottish collections, has been given approval by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The £15.3 m renovation, given the title of Celebrating Scotland's Art: The Scottish National Gallery Project will triple the Gallery's exhibition space and improve access to its collection of Scottish art.
An application to the HLF for £4.94 m has now received official Stage 1 approval.
For many years the galleries have been aware that the display of Scottish art - currently shown in a concrete basement - were in need of considerable improvement.
The new presentation of Scotland's art will "combine a historical narrative, which will range from the 17th to the mid-20th century with dynamic and changing displays drawn from the riches of the collection" the galleries said.
Michael Clarke, director of the Scottish National Gallery and the project's director, said: "We are thrilled that this proposal has been passed to the next stage by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
"As holders of the world's foremost collection of Scottish art, which includes such incomparable artists as Ramsay, Raeburn and Wilkie, our focus has always been on showing its significance and making it accessible to as wide a public as possible.
"Extending the Gallery space will transform the entire visitor experience."
Set to begin in 2016, the project will include the creation of a new landscaped public pathway and terrace, from the Princes St Gardens level.
Glasgow-based Gareth Hoskins Architects (GHA) will oversee the project.
During the renovation, the Scottish National Gallery will remain open to the public with access to the spaces not affected by these plans.
The works are expected to be completed in the summer of 2018.
Colin McLean, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, said: "This collection of art is one of Scotland's most precious belongings.
"It has the potential to delight, inspire and inform audiences from Scotland and across the world.
"We are delighted to give our initial support to a project which will allow many more of these outstanding paintings to be displayed and accommodate many more visitors.
"We look forward to seeing the plans for the transformation of the Scottish collection galleries develop."
Designed by the Scottish architect William Henry Playfair (1790-1857) the Scottish National Gallery is the most popular UK art gallery outside of London, attracting more than 1.295 million visitors in 2014.
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