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Welcome

The Scotch Whisky Experience is a five-star visitor attraction at the top of Edinburgh's Royal Mile, where we've been inspiring visitors to Edinburgh about the joys of Scotch whisky for nearly 30 years.

Whether you take a tour, visit our shop or restaurant, or enjoy an event or tasting here, we guarantee a sensational experience. 

The Scotch Whisky Experience is fully accessible for wheelchair users or those with specific access needs.

Please get in touch if you require any further information about specific access or need advice on planning your visit. If there is anything futher we can help with, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Watch the video: Scotch Whisky Experience Barrel Ride
The Scotch Whisky Experience

Hearing

We have a hearing loop in at all public till points.
Some staff have BSL and disability awareness training.

Visual

Glass doors have contrast markings.
Some parts of the venue have low lighting.
We have display information in audio, BSL and large print.
American Sign Language
The menu is in large print.
We have information in audio, BSL and large print.

General

We have a concessionary rate for disabled visitors.
We have a complimentary ticket policy for personal assistants.
Some staff have disability awareness training.
We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

Getting here

For further information on accessible travel in Scotland, go to Transport Scotland.
354 Castlehill
The Royal Mile
Edinburgh
Midlothian
EH12NE

Travel by public transport

You can get to The Scotch Whisky Experience by bus and train.
George IV Bridge. The bus stop is 0.3 miles / 0.5 km from The Scotch Whisky Experience. When disembarking the bus, please head towards the Royal Mile and turn up towards the Castle. There is an incline up towards Castlehill. The bus stop is 0.3 miles / 0.5 km from The Scotch Whisky Experience.

Edinburgh Waverley is located 0.6 miles away. There are a few routes from the station to us, but all include a steep incline. There are taxi ranks located outside of the railway station and these are accessible by lift. 

Travel by taxi

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

Parking

The Barrel car ride The Sense of Scotland Room The Blenders Sample Room The World's Largest Collection of Scotch Whisky Lift access to all floors Lowered till points, with hearing loops Exiting The Scotch Whisky Experience

Arrival

Path to main entrance

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

Main entrance

The main entrance has level access.
The door is 840mm wide.
The main door is sliding and automatic.

The main entrance doorway has two automatically sliding doors. There is a small incline from the main entrance to the main reception where tickets can be purchased.

There is a slight incline from the pavement to the main entrance.

Getting around inside

We have contrast markings on all glass doors.
Some parts of the venue have low lighting.

Lift

We have 1 lift.
You can get a lift to all floors.

Lifts to all floors

The lift door is 800mm wide.
The lift is 800mm wide. The lift is 1395mm deep.
The lift says the floor number at each floor.
The lift buttons have raised numbers or letters.
The lift shows the floor number, at each floor.
There are audio and visual announcements informing customers of which floor they are on. The lighting in the lift is by LED spotlights.The flooring is PVC non slip.

Ticket/ information desk

Box office reception

From the main entrance to the desk, there is level access. The desk has a low section.

The area is evenly lit by spotlights. There is a hearing loop system at the till-point.

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, BSL, large print .
American Sign Language

Barrel car ride

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.
There is a hearing loop.
Videos have subtitles.

Subtitles are available in 6 languages on the audio handset guide. 

visitors sitting inside a barrel

The Blenders' Sample Room

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access.

The World's Largest Collection of Scotch Whisky

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a lift.

A whisky tasting is conducted in this area. This is a 'standing' area, however if a chair is needed, our staff will be happy to provide one. There is a marble floor. 

tour guide talking to visitors visitors inside the whisky collection room

Bar

Amber Bar

From the main entrance to the bar, there is level access. There is a lift. From the lift to the bar, the route is 860mm mm wide, or more. The door is 860mm wide.

Amber Restaurant and Bar is located on -1 which is accessed by lift.

Amber Bar Amber Bar - seating area

Public toilet

Accessible toilet

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.
From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. There is a lift.
The toilet door is 800mm wide.
The toilet seat is 480mm high. The toilets have handrails.

Shop

The Scotch Whisky Experience Whisky Shop

From the main entrance to the shop, there is level access. The door is 1200mm wide.

There is a mezzanine level of the shop which is located upstairs. There is no lift access to this area. All the products sold in this area can be viewed on an IPad located on the shop floor. Staff are happy to help and collect products from the mezzanine level and bring them to show customers.

Place to eat and drink

Amber Restaurant

From the main entrance to the dining area, there is level access. There is a lift. The door is 860mm wide.
To get to a table, there are no steps.
The menu is offered in large print.
The route through the dining area is 800mm wide, or more.
There is background music.
The table and plates have high colour contrast.
We cater for sugar free (diabetic), vegetarian, gluten free (celiacs), lactose free (dairy free), nut free, low fat, low potassium, low sodium, high fibre and vegan specific diets.

We can provide kosher and halal on request. Please contact us to arrange in advance of your visit.

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a lift.

Getting around outside

Customer care support

We provide wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are free.
We have a hearing loop in at all public till points.

Magnifier sheet, EvacChair, Dog water bowls, large print menus, large print script, British Sign Language tablet, American Sign Language tablet, subtitles in 6 languages.

For a list of more items, please go to https://www.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk/about-the-site/accessibility.
The nearest toilet area for assistance dogs is in Princes Street Gardens, just a short walk downhill from The Scotch Whisky Experience.
You can hire mobility equipment from MobilityEquipmenthiredirect.com by calling 0800 994 9000 .

Emergency evacuation procedures

We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

There is an EvacChair.

Customer care support

Some staff have disability awareness training.
Some staff have BSL training.
We have information in audio, BSL and large print.

Staff are available for assistance during business opening hours.

Guide info
Any information, comments and views made available to users via this Accessibility Guide are provided directly from third party business operators. VisitEngland and VisitScotland do not endorse or validate this information. Any reliance on this Accessibility Guide is at your own risk. This guide is not intended to be a substitute for users making their own checks, inquiries and investigations directly with the business operators prior to making any booking or visiting the venue.