Accessibility Guide for The Writers' Museum

Welcome

The Writers’ Museum celebrates the lives of three giants of Scottish Literature – Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson.

Home to portraits, rare books and personal objects including Burns’ writing desk, the rocking horse Scott used as a child and Stevenson’s riding boots and the ring given to him by a Samoan chief, engraved with the name ‘Tusitala’, meaning ‘teller of tales’. There is also a plaster cast of Robert Burns' skull, one of only three ever made.

Unfortunately, due to the historic nature of the building, the exhibitions are accessible by stairs only.

Access with steps
Visual

Access with steps

The main entrance has 1 step and a handrail. There is no lift and no ramp.

There are steps from the main entrance to:

Lower ground floor First floor 2nd floor Reception/Shop desk Second floor toilets First floor shop

Visual

Some parts of the venue have low lighting.

We have display information in large print.

Information is available in different languages including: French, Italian, German, Spanish and Japanese. Large print version of all museum text available on request.

Getting here

For further information on accessible travel in Scotland, go to Transport Scotland.

Lawnmarket

Lady Stair's Close

Edinburgh

EH1 2PA

Travel by public transport

You can get to The Writers' Museum by bus, train and tram.

The bus stop is called "Mound Place" with bus routes 23, 27, 41, 42, 67. More information can be found here: https://lothianbuses.co.uk/timetables-and-maps The bus stop is 0.1 miles / 0.2 km from The Writers' Museum.

The nearest train station is Waverley Station. The train station is 0.3 miles / 0.5 km from The Writers' Museum.

The nearest tram station is Princes Street. The tram station is 0.4 miles / 0.6 km from The Writers' Museum.

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 museum is situated off the main road, on a courtyard. The road is a busy tourist area. There is no designated drop-off area with a dropped kerb.

The Writer's Museum is located in Lady Stair's Close and the nearest bus stop is only accessible via stairs. For more accessible way from the mound bus stop to the museum, you can travel on foot via Bank Street which brings you to the Lawnmarket.

Arrival

Path to main entrance

From the street to the main entrance, there is 1 step. There is no ramp and no lift.

Main entrance

The door is 900mm wide.

The main entrance has 1 steps.

This entrance has a handrail.

The main door is side hung and manual.

Unfortunately, due to the age of the building, the Writers museum is not accessible for wheelchairs users and visitors with limited mobility may struggle because the museum is located on several floors with no lift.

Example of spiral stairs in the museum from the basement to upper floors

Getting around inside

Visual Impairment - General Information

Some parts of the venue have low lighting.

The stairs to the basement exhibit about Robert Louis Stevenson are low lit

Ticket/ information desk

Reception/Shop desk

From the main entrance to this desk, there are 8 steps. There is no lift and no ramp.

Regrettably, the museum (including the shop, toilets and information desk) is inaccessible for wheelchair users. The stairs are uneven and hazardous, especially later in the day when it is darker inside.

View from the first floor to the entrance

Close-up of the stairs: as you see, they are unevenly shaped

Things to See and Do

We have display information in: large print .

Information is available in different languages including: French, Italian, German, Spanish and Japanese. Large print version of all museum text available on request.

Lower ground floor

From the main entrance to this area, there are 6 steps. There is no lift and no ramp.

There are seats.

A volunteer guide in this area devoted to Robert Louis Stevenson's life and works would be very happy to tell you more about the exhibits.

Lower ground floor: Robert Louis Stevenson display

First floor

From the main entrance to this area, there are 8 steps. There is no lift and no ramp.

There are seats.

The temporary space exhibit, the Robert Burns rooms and the shop/ information desk are on the first floor. The Robert Burns rooms are to the side of the main space, located up 3 steps.

The temporary exhibit space photographed from above

Robert Burns room where you can hear traditional Scottish music which adds to its atmosphere

2nd floor

From the main entrance to this area, there are 27 steps. There is no lift and no ramp.

There are seats.

The second floor is dedicated to Sir Walter Scott and other Scottish writers, old and new. There is a very narrow staircase up to this floor and a balcony with a small dedicated reading space with sofas.

The reading space and the visitor's book where you can tell us all about your visit

Narrow stairs up to the second floor (680 mm wide). The steps are varying heights and the ceiling is low. A feature of some old houses, it was intended as a type of burglar because people would stumble and be caught.

Public toilet

Second floor toilets

From the main entrance to the public toilet, there are 27 steps. There is no lift and no ramp.

Shop

First floor shop

From the main entrance to the shop, there are 8 steps. There is no lift and no ramp.

Getting around outside

Customer care support

Accessibility equipment

The nearest toilet area for assistance dogs is just outside the museum, in Lady's Stairs Close. Also, we are near to Princes Street Gardens.

Emergency evacuation procedures

There is only one way in and out for the museum. The emergency exit is signed and there is a visitors assistance to help you in that case. Assembly point is located in the courtyard.