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.

Level access
There is level access from the main entrance to:
Parliament ExhibitionVisitor Information DeskAccessible toilet in the Main Hall, adjacent to the ShopParliament CafeParliament ShopExternal landscapingHearing
Visual
General
Getting here
For further information on accessible travel in Scotland, go to Transport Scotland.Travel by public transport
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
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.






Arrival
Path to main entrance
Main entrance
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.

Getting around inside
Lift
Lifts to all floors- for Public Gallery of the Debating Chamber and Committee Rooms
Lift used on the guided tour route to access the Garden Lobby and the Members' Lobby
Ticket/ information desk
Visitor Information Desk


Things to See and Do
Parliament Exhibition
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
Public Gallery of the Debating Chamber
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.



Public toilet
Accessible toilet in the Main Hall, adjacent to the Shop
Transfer to the toilet is front, left and right
Shop
Parliament Shop


Place to eat and drink
Parliament Cafe


Getting around outside


Customer care support
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.
Emergency evacuation procedures
Security staff will sweep the building to assist with evacuation.
Customer care support
The Scottish Parliament has a guide for visitors with autism: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/PublicInformationdocuments/VisitorsWit...