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).

PLEASE NOTE We are not currently able to operate the Gallery Bus Service. We will begin the service again as soon as it is safe to do so.

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, step-free entrance.

For visitors not using accessible parking facilities, parking is charged at £3 - £6 and applies from 9.45am to 5.30pm. 

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. If you require assistance, please press the buzzer..

The accessible entrance leads into Level 0 of the gallery where visitors will find coin operated lockers, toilets (including accessible toilets), baby changing facilities and a buggy park area. A lift from here leads to all floors of the building. There is a small reception window with a bell, visitors are welcome to press the bell 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, at the Modern Two Front Desk and 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 is at Level 0 of the gallery.

In this area visitors will find facilities such as coin-operated lockers, 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. Sometimes films are shown in this area (with subtitles). 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 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, open 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 below 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. There is a hand-dryer and paper towels.

The nearest Changing Places Toilet is accross the road  in the rear Modern One car park. This is a standalone portakabin unit, unlocked from 9am-5pm. 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; the cafe's nearest Accessible Toilet is located on Level 0. 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 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. Most front of house staff have recieved training in dementia awareness. Some front of house staff have received training in visual impairment awareness from RNIB Scotland and Deaf Awareness from Deaf Scotland. Staff at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art have recieved training from PAMIS on welcoming visitors with profound and multiple learning disabilities.

Large print lables are available throughout the gallery.

We have other services for people with accessibility requirements.

Portable hearing loops are available for all public talks, tours and lectures, simply ask member of staff on arrival. 

We offer a range of regularly scheduled events for visitors with specific access needs: www.nationalgalleries.org/whats-on

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: www.nationalgalleries.org/visit/group-visits