Welcome
The Museum of Edinburgh is the City’s treasure box - a maze of historic rooms crammed full of iconic objects from the Capital’s past.
Find out about the history of Edinburgh from the earliest times to the present day. Discover more about the city, its people, crafts and trades and the beautiful objects they created.
Although the ground floor is accessible (with one small step, that does not affect wheelchair access, to the entrance), due to the historic nature of the building, the upper levels are accessible by stairs only.
Level access
There is level access from the main entrance to:
Ground Floor temporary exhibitionInformation DeskGround floor toiletsCourtyardVisual
General
Getting here
For further information on accessible travel in Scotland, go to Transport Scotland.Travel by public transport
If not using public transport to get to Princes Street, we recommend travelling via Jeffrey Street; then Market Street opposed to via the Royal Mile because Jeffrey Street is mostly flat and downhill.
Travel by taxi
Parking
The Museum is located on the main road, which gets very busy at certain times of the day. There is no on-street parking and restricted drop-off areas. However, there is a bus stop with a dropped kerb outside the museum: a quick drop-off is then possible, but it is difficult to wait for people for a long period of time.

Arrival
Path to main entrance
Main entrance
The main entrance is accessed through the courtyard to the left of the building. There is also a door (h: 2020 x w: 920mm) to the courtyard entrance with a very small step, however, it does not affect wheelchair access.



Getting around inside
Visual Impairment - General Information

Ticket/ information desk
The main desk with the till is 1m off the ground; the lowest section is 72cm.


Ground Floor temporary exhibition
The ground floor temporary exhibit, the toilet, the shop and buggy park are all accessible to wheelchair users by the side entrance. The rest of the museum exhibits are located upstairs and, unfortunately, are only accessible via the stairs on multiple levels. The museum is housed in a series of 16th to 18th centuries buildings, so there is also no lift. If you have mobility issues but are able to use the stairs, there is a handrail to help you and seats in the exhibition rooms if you need to rest.


Public toilet
Ground floor toilets
In the accessible toilet, you can find baby changing facilities.

Shop
Ground Floor shop
The information desk is located in the shop. It is open plan with no aisles, but there are some high shelves. There is always a member of staff on duty if you need any assistance.

Buggy Park
There is allocated space to leave buggies and wheelchairs on the ground floor. If you have limited mobility but are able to walk upstairs, it is possible to leave your wheelchair, walking aid, or mobility scooter in this space. Please, ask a member of staff to highlight this area on arrival.
Getting around outside
Courtyard
The courtyard is accessible by entrance on the street level on your way to the main entrance of the building. As previously stated, wheelchair users can enjoy this space and access the ground floor via the courtyard.
No smoking permitted in this area.

Picnic Area
2nd courtyard
This courtyard is accessible via the upper museum levels, at the end of the visitor route. Also, for wheelchair users, it is accessible via a side gate called "Bakehouse Close" to the right of the museum's main entrance. The gate is sometimes locked and sometimes open if there is a volunteer. You can access the courtyard where there is a ramp and, then the basement Courtyard Gallery where there is an interactive display. There is a small step but the staff have a portable ramp, so please ask them for help.




Customer care support
Accessibility equipment
Please, ask for assistance if you need help in any way.