Accessibility Guide for The Real Mary King's Close

Travel by public transport

You can get to The Real Mary King's Close by bus and train.

The nearest bus stops are on the Royal Mile, George IV Bridge, and the South Bridge. The bus stop is 0.2 miles / 0.3 km from The Real Mary King's Close.

The nearest train station is Edinburgh Waverley Station. The train station is 0.2 miles / 0.3 km from The Real Mary King's Close.

Lothian Buses and Scotrail operate a number of services a short distance away from The Real Mary King's Close. For more information, please visit www.lothianbuses.com or www.scotrail.co.uk. Please note that we are located towards the top of the Royal Mile, and the route from the railway station is fairly steep. 

Travel by taxi

You can get a taxi with Central Taxis by calling 0131 229 2468. The taxi company has a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

You can get a taxi with City Cabs by calling 0131 228 1211. The taxi company has a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

Parking

The nearest official drop-off point is at Johnston Terrace, a 12 minute walk from the attraction (0.5 miles). We are situated on the Royal Mile, and depending on the time of day and year, taxis and private vehicles can drop-off passengers outside our building. Vehicles must not be left unattended. There is also limited parking available on both St Giles' Street and Blair Street, both a 3 minute walk from our building (0.1 miles).

Path to main entrance

From the street to the main entrance, there is level access.

Main entrance

The main entrance has level access.

The main door is side hung and automatic.

Some parts of the venue have low lighting.

Ticket/ information desk

Admissions & Exhibition Room

From the main entrance to the desk, there is level access. The route is 930mm wide, or more.

The desk has a low section.

The admissions area and exhibition room are both fully accessible, and don't require a ticket to enter. The Close itself can only be accessed via 38 stone steps. There is no lift access unfortunately. The space can become crowded at peak times of the day. Because of steps leading from/to the exhibition room fire exit, our cafe, shop, and toilets must be accessed via our Warriston's Close entrance (accessed via the Royal Mile).

Things to See and Do

We have a concessionary rate for disabled visitors.

We have a complimentary ticket policy for personal assistants.

We have display information in: audio .

Tour information is also available on e-readers.

Shop

From the main entrance to this area, there are 2 steps. There is no lift and no ramp.

Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.

Some videos have subtitles.

The cafe and shop are both fully accessible. This space can also become crowded at peak times of the day. Guests can access this area of the attraction via a separate entrance on Warriston's Close. This entrance also includes an outside courtyard featuring a timeline of our history, and interesting facts about the Plague Doctor.

Public toilet

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.

From the main entrance to the public toilet, there are 2 steps. There is no lift and no ramp.

The toilets are located a couple of metres inside the main building (separate from the main admissions and exhibition areas). Along with our cafe and shop, guests can access this area of the attraction via a separate entrance on Warriston's Close. This close is situated a couple of metres away from our main entrance on the Royal Mile. 

Shop

The route through the shop is 800mm wide, or more.

Level access to the shop can be found via the Warriston's Close entrance to the attraction. 

Place to eat and drink

Coffee House

The route is 1250mm wide, or more. From the main entrance to the dining area, there are 2 steps. There is no lift and no ramp.

To get to a table, there are no steps.

If you need table service, staff can help you.

There is background music sometimes.

We have a range of food and drink options available in our cafe. Please ask to view the allergen guidelines for any specific dietary requirements. 

The route is 850mm wide, or more. From the main entrance to the area, there are 2 steps.

The outdoor courtyard area can also be accessed via the Warriston's Close entrance. This area features bench-style seating, a timeline of our history, and interesting facts about the Plague Doctor. Keep checking our website for updates about our pop-up events that run throughout the year.

The nearest toilet is within the attractions, accessed via the Warriston's Close entrance to our building.

Emergency evacuation procedures

We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

Customer care support

We have information in audio .

The tour script can also be accessed via our e-readers.