Alfred Buckham: Daredevil Photographer

The National Galleries of Scotland will honour Capt. Alfred Buckham, who served at Turnhouse in Edinburgh and Rosyth in Fife during the First World War, with a major new exhibition. The exhibition will showcase how Capt. Buckham masterfully combined his twin passions for photography and flight, pioneering a bold new direction in 20th-century photography.

Moving into the autumn at the Portrait, take to the skies and see the world from above the clouds through the remarkable work of Alfred Buckham: Daredevil Photographer.  A trailblazer in his field, Buckham (1879 – 1956) soared above the realms of what was thought to be possible in 20^th century photography and aviation. From 18 October 2025 – 19 April 2026, meet the man behind some of the most iconic aerial photographs, marvel at the death-defying lengths he took to capture the perfect image and explore how his innovative techniques paved the way for modern technologies such as Photoshop and AI.

Anne Lyden, Director-General at the National Galleries of Scotland said “We’re really excited to announce our 2025 public programme, which is packed full of fantastic exhibitions. Breathtaking installations at the Royal Scottish Academy, soaring above the clouds at the Portrait gallery, and modern and contemporary highlights from your national collection at the Moderns. Whether you want to be inspired, find a moment of calm or share a joyful experience with friends – there’s so much to discover at the National Galleries of Scotland.