Accessibility Guide for The Scottish Parliament

Welcome

Visit the home of the Scottish Parliament, in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town World Heritage Site.

Free to visit and fully accessible. Exhibition, Tours, Shop and Parliament Cafe.

Visit the Debating Chamber and see parliament in action (usually Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays) or enjoy a guided tour of the building (Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays). During recess dates, tours are usually available Monday - Saturday, but visitors should contact us to check before arriving.

Guided tours last approx one hour and include aspects of the parliament's architecture and design, how parliament works and aspects of the art collection.

Watch the video: Visiting the Parliament

The Scottish Parliament building and Holyrood

Level access

The main entrance has level access. The ramp is permanent.

There is level access from the main entrance to:

Parliament Exhibition Visitor Information Desk Accessible toilet in the Main Hall, adjacent to the Shop Parliament Cafe Parliament Shop External landscaping

We have a viewing area for wheelchair users.

Hearing

We have a hearing loop in Visitor Information Desk, Shop, Cafe, Baggage Store and Security desks. , There are portable hearing loops available for use during Guided Tours and 10 Minute Talks. This connects to hearing aids which have a "T-Switch". There are also portable audio-enhancement headsets available for visitors to use with headphones provided. P and Hearing loops are installed in the Debating Chamber and Committee Rooms. This connects to hearing aids which have a "T-Switch"..

Some staff have BSL and disability awareness training.

Visual

Some parts of the venue have low lighting.

We have display information in audio and BSL.

The menu is in large print and There is no audio version of the menu, but staff can read it out..

We have information in audio, braille, BSL and large print.

General

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors. The toilet is a Changing Places toilet.

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.

The Scottish Parliament

Horse Wynd

Edinburgh

EH99 1SP

Travel by public transport

You can get to The Scottish Parliament by bus.

Visitors can use Lothian Buses service numbers 300 (nearest stop Canongate) and 6 (nearest stop Horse Wynd). Both these buses have low floors to make it easier to get on and off. There are a number of other bus routes a short walking distance away. The bus stop is 0 miles / 0.0 km from The Scottish Parliament.

Bus stops are close to the Scottish Parliament public entrance and are accessed across flat, paved areas.

Travel by taxi

There is a taxi rank outside the Scottish Parliament building, on the corner of Horse Wynd and Canongate. Staff at the Visitor Information Desk can help you organise a taxi.

A full list of taxi firms can be obtained from Edinburgh City Council.

Parking

There is parking near the venue. There are accessible parking spaces. The parking is less than 50 metres from the main entrance. Parking is not free.

There is a drop-off point at the main entrance. The drop-off point has a dropped kerb.

From the car park to the entrance, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp.

The route is 1250mm wide, or more.

A small number of public parking spaces are reserved for disabled people on Horse Wynd.

Please note that these parking bays are for visitors to the Holyrood area in general, not just for visitors to the Parliament. These parking bays are owned and managed by the City of Edinburgh Council and can be used by all blue badge holders. Parking for people with a disabled person’s parking permit is permitted on single yellow lines and these are available near to the Parliament building. Commercial car parks are also available nearby on Holyrood Road.

Watch the video: Images of The Scottish Parliament

Scottish Parliament, entrance to Main Hall

Scottish Parliament, visitor information point

Arrival

Path to main entrance

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

The path is 1200mm wide, or more.

Main entrance

The main entrance has level access.

There is a permanent ramp.

The door is 1050mm wide.

The main door is revolving and automatic.

It has a push button to open.

The sliding door is operated by Security Officers on the inside of the building. They look out for visitors who require the use of the sliding door and they open it with a push button.

Visitors are required to proceed through airport-style security with metal detecting arches. The width of the metal detecting arches is 828mm. However, there is a wider gate available for use and this is 1000mm wide.

Watch the video: A video featuring the main entrance to Parliament

Getting around inside

Visual Impairment - General Information

Some parts of the venue have low lighting.

Lift

We have 6 lifts.

You can get a lift to all floors.

Lifts to all floors- for Public Gallery of the Debating Chamber and Committee Rooms

The lift door is 903mm wide.

The lift is 1426mm wide. The lift is 1314mm deep.

The lift says the floor number at each floor.

The lift shows the floor number, at each floor.

The lift has a voice announcement that states the floor that it has arrived at and that the doors are opening or closing

Lift used on the guided tour route to access the Garden Lobby and the Members' Lobby

The lift door is 1125mm wide.

The lift is 1775mm wide. The lift is 1775mm 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 has a voice announcement that states the floor that it has arrived at and that the doors are opening or closing

Ticket/ information desk

Visitor Information Desk

From the main entrance to the desk, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 1718mm wide, or more.

The desk has a low section.

Things to See and Do

We have display information in: audio and BSL.

We have a designated quiet space.

Parliament Exhibition

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 1718mm wide, or more. Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. Videos have subtitles.

Although there is no seating in the Parliament Exhibition there are portable seats available for visitors to use. These seats are available in the Main Hall, adjacent to the exhibition.

Spectator/ Audience viewing areas

There are stewards to help disabled visitors.

We have a viewing area for wheelchair users.

Public Gallery of the Debating Chamber

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

From the lift to the viewing area, the route is 1500 wide, or more. The door is 900 wide.

The wheelchair spaces are sheltered. Personal assistants and friends can sit with wheelchair users.

Personal assistants and friends can sit behind wheelchair users. Wheelchair users can sit with their own fans.

Staff are available to assist disabled visitors but are not able to assist with pushing wheelchairs.

There are 6 dedicated wheelchair spaces in the Public Gallery of the Debating Chamber. These areas do not have seating for companions, although companions could take seats in adjacent locations. If a wheelchair user requires a companion to sit alongside or behind them there is an area of flexible seating that makes this possible. Visitors should request this seating area at time of booking.

Stewards cannot bring food and drink to wheelchair users. There is a Code of Conduct which prohibits food and drink in the Public Gallery, however, visitors with medical conditions that require access to food and drink can bring this into the Public Gallery. At the time of booking they should request this so that arrangements can be put in place.

Flip up Seats in the Public Gallery of the Debating Chamber. This area is suitable for visitors using wheelchairs to be seated next to their companion. These seats should be booked in advance.

Public toilet

Accessible toilet in the Main Hall, adjacent to the Shop

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.

The toilet is a Changing Places toilet.

From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. The route is 1718mm wide, or more.

The toilet door is 900mm wide.

The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the left and right.

There is 1100mm at the side of the toilet. There is 1750mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 450mm high. The toilets have handrails.

Transfer to the toilet is front, left and right

Accessible toilet with Changing Places facility

Shop

Parliament Shop

From the main entrance to the shop, there is level access. The route is 1788mm wide, or more. The door is 1700mm wide.

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

Place to eat and drink

Parliament Cafe

From the main entrance to the dining area, there is level access. The route is 1718mm wide, or more. To get to a table, there are no steps.

The menu is offered in large print .

There is no audio version of the menu, but staff can read it out.

The dining area is self-service. If you need table service, staff can help you.

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, low fat, low potassium, low sodium, no gastric content, high fibre, vegan and halal specific diets.

Getting around outside

External landscaping

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

There is a permanent ramp.

The route is 1200mm wide, or more.

The Scottish Parliament External Landscaping

Customer care support

Accessibility equipment

We provide wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are free.

A waiting room provides a quiet space. If you need a quiet space during your visit, please speak to staff.

Guided tours are available with a BSL interpreter when requested in advance (please contact Visitor Services and give at least two weeks' notice if possible). Handsets are also available with a summary of the guided tour in BSL.

Assistance dogs are welcome and water bowls are available from the Visitor Information Desk.

Audio descriptive Parliament tours can be arranged for advanced bookings. For more information please contact Visitor Services.

The public gallery of the Debating Chamber has wheelchair spaces. All committee rooms are fully accessible for wheelchair users, and spaces are reserved for wheelchair users in the public seating area in each committee room.

There are accessible toilets in several parts of the building including the entrance area, near the way out and near the stairs to the Debating Chamber. There is also a Changing Places toilet with a hoist and changing bench in the main public area of the building.

Guided tours normally last around an hour and cover a considerable area of the Parliament building. However, Visitor Services staff will be happy to take you on the route that is best suited to you and folding chairs are available to use on guided tours. Please let Visitor Services know what you need when you book. Tactile maps are available for visitors to use.

For a list of more items, please go to http://www.parliament.scot/visitandlearn/12518.aspx.

If you are visiting with an assistance dog, Visitor Services will be happy to help. Please contact us at visit@parliament.scot or 0131 348 5200 (freephone 0800 092 7600)

Emergency evacuation procedures

We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

Security staff will sweep the building to assist with evacuation.

Customer care support

Some staff have disability awareness training.

Some staff have BSL training.

We have information in audio, braille, BSL and large print.

The Scottish Parliament has a guide for visitors with autism: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/PublicInformationdocuments/VisitorsWit...