Accessibility Guide for Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (Modern Two)

Travel by public transport

You can get to Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (Modern Two) by bus.

The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art is serviced by Edinburgh Coach Lines Service 13. The nearest bus stop is on Belford Road. The bus stop is 0.1 miles / 0.2 km from Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (Modern Two).

Our Gallery Bus takes visitors to all three of the National Gallery venues. There is a pick-up/drop off point at the back of Modern Two and at the front of Modern One. The timetable is published in the Visit section of the website: https://www.nationalgalleries.org/visit/gallery-bus

Starting at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art the bus runs a circular route to the Scottish National Portrait Gallery and Scottish National Gallery. A voluntary donation of £1 is requested. The bus drops off, but does not pick up at the Portrait Gallery. There is space for one wheelchair.

Travel by taxi

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

Parking

We have a car park. There are accessible parking spaces. The parking is less than 50 metres from the main entrance. Parking is free.

The drop-off point is to the rear of the Modern Two building right next to the accessible entrance and accessible parking. From the car park to the entrance, there is level access. The path is sloped.

At Modern Two, there are FREE disabled parking bays at the rear of the building directly beside the accessible entrance which is step-free; there is no slope.

For those not using accessible parking bays, parking is charged at £2 per day and applies from 9am to 5pm, 7 days a week. 

Path to main entrance

From the street to the main entrance, there are 5 steps. There is no ramp and no lift.

Main entrance

The door is 1610mm wide.

The main entrance has 1 steps.

The main door is side hung and manual.

The accessible entrance is step free and is to the rear of the building, next to the disabled parking bays. To gain entry, please press the buzzer and the door will be unlocked.

The accessible entrance leads into Level 0 of the gallery where visitors will find large lockers (£2 charge), toilets (including accessible toilets), baby changing facilities, buggy park area. A lift from here leads to all floors of the building. There is a small window at the entrance to this area, visitors are requested to press the bell on the wall for assistance.

Visual Impairment - General Information

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.

Lift to all floors

The lift door is 1500mm wide.

The lift is 1500mm wide. The lift is 4070mm 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.

The lift provides access to all floors and has a maximum capacity of 46 people. The floor is grey vinyl and the walls are wood-panelled half-way up from floor and the remainder painted. The lighting is from strip lighting in the ceiling . There is no music playing. There is one control panel to one side on the right as you enter the lift.

Ticket/ information desk

Level 1 - Modern Two Front Desk and Shop Desk

From the main entrance to the desk, there is level access. The route is 1610mm wide, or more.

When there are charged exhibitions, tickets are sold on Level 1, either at the Modern Two Front Desk or at the Modern Two Shop Desk.

The Modern Two Front Desk is situated by the front door in a small entrance foyer. When there is not a paying exhibition on at the gallery, this desk will not be staffed, though visitors may pick up leaflets and maps here. If the entrance foyer is not staffed, the corridor beyond it will be.

Visitors entering the gallery via the Accessible Entrance at Level 0 may use the lift to access level 1. The lift opens directly into the shop and exhibition tickets may be purchased at the Shop Desk.

Things to See and Do

We have a concessionary rate for disabled visitors.

We have a complimentary ticket policy for personal assistants.

We have performances with: audio-described, British Sign Language interpreted and relaxed.

We have display information in: large print.

Level 0 - Lockers, toilets, buggy park and baby-changing facilities

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

From the lift to this area, the route is 1100mm wide, or more. Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.

Videos have subtitles.

The Accessible Entrance leads directly into Level 0 of the gallery.

In this area visitors will find facilities such as large lockers (£2 charge), toilets (including accessible toilets), baby changing facilities, buggy park area. A lift from here leads to all floors of the gallery.

Level 1 - Room 6 and Paolozzi Studio

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 1290mm wide, or more. The door is 1160mm wide.

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

Videos have subtitles.

The flooring in this space is wood and the space is lit by ceiling spotlights and sometimes natural light from large windows. Due to the changing nature of displays and exhibitions this space may sometimes have lower light levels. The Paolozzi studio has a viewing area, it is always well-lit and visitors are able to see from a seated position.

Level 1 - Room 1

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 1290mm wide, or more. The door is 1110mm wide.

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

Videos have subtitles.

The flooring in this space is wood and the space is lit by ceiling spotlights and sometimes natural light from large windows. Due to the changing nature of displays and exhibitions this space may sometimes have lower light levels.

Level 2 - Room 2 and 3

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

From the lift to this area, the route is 1500mm wide, or more. Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.

Videos have subtitles.

The flooring in this space is wood and the space is lit by ceiling spotlights. Due to the changing nature of displays and exhibitions this space may sometimes have lower light levels. Some work is displayed in cases up to a height of 940mm.

The Modern Two lift to all floors opens out directly into Room 2.

Level 2 - Room 4 and 5

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

From the lift to this area, the route is 1230mm wide, or more. The door is 1480mm wide.

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

Videos have subtitles.

The flooring in this space is wood and the space is lit by ceiling spotlights. Due to the changing nature of displays and exhibitions this space may sometimes have lower light levels. Some work is displayed in cases up to a height of 940mm.

Level 2 - Great Hall Balcony

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

The door is 1230mm wide.

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

Videos have subtitles.

Some displays have flashing lights.

The Great Hall Balcony is a long balcony space with wood flooring that is 1560mm wide. Along one side, there is information displayed on the wall. On the other side railings overlook the cafe space on level 0. From here visitors can view the huge sculpture of Vulcan by Eduardo Paolozzi that reaches from the ground floor to the ceiling of the first floor. The balcony is accessed by double doors at either end. These doors are side-hung and manually opened. There are always staff members positioned near each doorway and they are happy to assist in opening the doors for visitors.  

Public toilet

Level 0 - 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.

From the lift to the public toilet, the route is 920mm wide, or more.

The toilet door is 780mm wide.

The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the front only.

There is 2560mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 460mm high. The toilets have handrails.

The Modern Two Accessible Entrance is at Level 0 where the Accessible Toilet is located.

The flooring of the accessible toilet is chequered black and white stone. The wall behind the toilet is plain while the other three walls are tiled in a black,white and blue chequered pattern.There is a horizontal grab rail located to the right of the toilet. There are vertical grab rails located to the left of the toilet. There is a sink with grab rails on the left. Different areas and facilities in the space contrast with the walls behind to differentiate between them and make them more visible. There are baby changing facilities within this toilet.

The nearest Changing Places Toilet is in the rear Modern One car park across the road from Modern Two. This is a standalone portakabin unit. It is signposted and the unit has accessible parking spaces next to it.

Shop

Level 1 - Modern Two Shop

From the main entrance to the shop, there is level access. The route is 1290mm wide, or more. The door is 1110mm wide.

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

Access to the Modern Two shop from the Accessible Entrance on level 0 is via the lift. The lift opens directly into the shop, lift doors are 1500mm wide. Exhibition tickets may be purchased in the shop.

The shop occupies one room on Level 1. The area is well-lit by large windows and ceiling lights, there is wood flooring. Merchandise is displayed on shelves up to a height of 2000mm. Staff are available to customers who require assistance to view items and to navigate between fixtures throughout the shop. There is no background music playing.

Place to eat and drink

Level 1 - Cafe Modern Two

From the main entrance to the dining area, there is level access. The route is 1290mm wide, or more. The door is 1160mm wide.

To get to a table, there are no steps.

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

There is no 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, vegan and halal specific diets.

Access to the cafe from the Accessible Entrance on Level 0 is via the lift; this is also where the nearest Accessible Toilet is located. The narrowest part of the route from the lift to the cafe is 1100mm. The nearest Changing Places Toilet is in the rear Modern One car park across the road. This is signposted and the unit has accessible parking next to it.

Cafe Modern Two comprises two open-plan seating spaces linked by an archway that is 900mm wide. Each space also has an entrance leading off the main corridor (1160mm and 1130mm wide).  The cafe has wooden flooring throuought; the first space is has wooden panels with mirrors half-way up, the second space is painted with artwork on the walls and is dominated by the sculpture of Vulcan by Eduardo Paolozzi that reaches from this floor to the top of the  floor above where there is also a viewing balcony.

Although the menu is not available in different formats, staff are always happy to verbally go through the menu choices. Staff can also microwave or puree items on request.

Level 0 - Prints and Drawings Study Room (by appointment)

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

From the lift to this area, the route is 1100mm wide, or more. The door is 1320mm wide.

The Prints and Drawings Study Room is on Level 0 which is the same floor as the Accessible Entrance. The narrowest part of the route is 1110mm. The flooring is wood, the lighting is from ceiling lights and large windows, there are tables and chairs and a circulation space of at least 800mm.

This space is open by appointment. Monday to Friday 10am-1pm and 2-4.30pm. For more information see the Visit Pages of the National Galleries website: www.nationalgalleries.org

 

 

Level 1 - Gabrielle Keiller Library, open to visitors

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 1110mm wide, or more.

The door is 1580mm wide.

Access from the Accessible Entrance on Level 0 to the Gabrielle Keiller Library is via the lift; the narrowest part of this route is 980mm.  The doors leading into the library are side-hung double doors that open manually, there is always a member of staff in this area who will be happy to assist with opening the doors.

Inside, the space may feel colder and light levels are low, this is due to environmental controls that exist to protect the artworks on display in this area. There are no seats in this area, there is a circulation space of at least 800mm and work is displayed in cases up to a maximum of 880mm.

Level 1 - Reading Room (by appointment)

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

From the lift to this area, the route is 770mm wide, or more. The door is 780mm wide.

The Reading Room is accessed by the main lift. This space is open by appointment. Monday to Friday 10am-1pm and 2-4.30pm. For more information see the Visit Pages of the National Galleries website: www.nationalgalleries.org

Level 2 - Modern Two Education Room (For pre-booked groups)

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

From the lift to this area, the route is 760mm wide, or more. The door is 890mm wide.

The Modern Two Education Room is not open to the general public and is used by groups who have pre-booked a visit. It is a small learning space that is well-lit by ceiling lights and two large windows. There is one low sink area and tea and coffee-making facilities. The flooring is vinyl and there are locked display cases and materials stored on shelves around the walls. The room has wifi, it does not have a projector and screen. The space is furnished with tables and stools. When booking in advance, groups may request the use of portable hearing loops, wheelchair loans, and a limited number of portable chairs with arms (approx 8-12). Toilets, including an accessible toilet, for the use of pre-booked groups using the education space, are located next door. The door to the accessible toilet is 760mm wide. The nearest Changing Places toilet is across the road in the rear car park of Modern One, this is signposted. There are two accessible parking spaces next to this unit.

Sculpture Park (Modern Two)

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

The route is sloped. The route is 1610mm wide, or more.

Modern Two is set within a sculpture park with work by Eduardo Paolozzi, Richard Long and Ian Hamilton Finlay among others. There are a series of surfaced pathways that allow visitors to enjoy the sculpture park. All sculptures can be viewed from surfaced pathways. Most sculptures are positioned on grassy areas with access directly onto the grass from the path with no kerb. Grassy areas that visitors are expected to access, e.g. lawns and around sculptures, is well-maintained and kept short.

There are 12 stone steps leading  from the area in front of the main entrance onto the Modern Two front lawn; step-free access onto the lawn is from the pathway on either side of this staircase further down a gentle slope, there is no kerb.

There is a zebra crossing that allows visitors to safely cross the road between Modern One and Modern Two.

Accessibility equipment

We provide wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are free.

There is permanent seating throughout the gallery. We also provide portable stools which are situated on racks on every floor of the gallery.

Portable hearing loops are available at all public talks and lectures and for booked group visits. We also have monthly amplified tours for visitors with hearing loss.

We welcome assistance dogs and can provide water bowls for them. Please ask staff for assistance.

We can provide pen, paper and a magnifying glass at the information desk.

Assistance dogs are welcome to use any of the grass verges located near the gallery building as long as they keep clear of sculptures. Visitors are requested to pick up and dispose of waste. Dustbins are located by the front and back entrances of Modern Two as well as at the front entrance of Modern One and in the Modern One rear car park.

We have an area to charge mobility scooters and battery powered wheelchairs.

Please ask a member of staff and they will be pleased to assist you.

Emergency evacuation procedures

We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

In the event of an evacuation, gallery staff will assist all visitors to a safe area, either outside the building or one of the dedicated temporary waiting areas within each gallery. Gallery staff will assist those who require help to those areas, and wait with them as the situation is being assessed. If deemed necessary, gallery staff are trained in the use of Evac chairs which can be used for evacuation of upper floors to assist those who cannot use the stairs.

Customer care support

Some staff have disability awareness training.

We have information in large print.

The National Galleries of Scotland received special recognition from Alzheimer Scotland as a dementia friendly venue. The majority of front of house staff have received training in dementia awareness. Most front of house staff have received training in visual impairment awareness from RNIB Scotland. Staff at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art have received training from PAMIS on welcoming visitors with profound and multiple learning disabilities.

We have other services for people with accessibility requirements.

We have regular amplified tours using portable hearing loops for visitors with hearing loss. Portable hearing loops are available for all talks and tours, simply ask member of staff on arrival. 

We have regular Deaf-led tours in British Sign Language (BSL) and regular family tours with British Sign Language interpretation.

We have regular tour and workshop sessions for visitors with visual impairments.

We have a regular programme of tours, concerts and special events for visitors living with dementia.

We offer regular sensory storytelling events for visitors of all ages with profound and multiple learning disabilities at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art.

We run early-openings featuring creative, sensory activities for families affected by autism at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

Community and access groups are invited to book free guided or self-guided visits all year round. This includes free entry to all paying exhibitions. We also offer a free programme of dementia-friendly workshops.

All events can be found in the What's On section of our website: www.nationalgalleries.org/whats-on

Information on group visits can be found in the Visit section of our website: www.nationalgalleries.org/visit/groups-tours-workshops