Accessible Things to do in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a vibrant city full of wonderful places to visit and see. It can be a great place for a weekend city break. For people who are less mobile, or are using a walking aid or wheelchair, we have compiled a list of the top accessible attractions in Edinburgh for you to visit.

Edinburgh Castle has to be the top tourist attraction of our list. With its rich history dating back to the 1^st century, it is an interesting place to visit. The castle has seen many sieges, Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to James VI in the royal palace, and even Iron Age warriors had set up fort there.

Although the castle is set up on a high mound, it has been made entirely accessible. There is Blue Badge parking on The Esplanade which has to be pre-booked by telephone. A mobility vehicle will take you right up to the castle doors and back. The castle is also near to Waverly train station.

There are some parts of the castle that may be challenging for people in a wheelchair because of the cobbles so you may need to allow plenty of time to conquer these. Shops and restaurants have wheelchair accessible ramps and staff are helpful. If you are worried about being on your feet all day then you are able to hire a wheelchair at the castle.

Seniors get a discounted entrance fee, and carers for disabled people are given free admittance.

Visit the Edinburgh Castle website for accessibility information and contact numbers.

The Palace of Holyroodhouse (or Holyrood Palace) offers both the wonders of the palace, and The Queens Gallery art collection. It also has an Abbey and gardens to look around. Its history dates back to the 12^th Century and has served as the principal residence of the Kings and Queens of Scots since the 16th century.

The Palace and Gallery is mostly accessible for wheelchair users, with ramps and wheelchair accessible lifts. As this is likely to be a full day of exploring, those who may struggle to be on their feet for that long may hire a wheelchair, although respite seating is available.

The palace is a 15 minute walk from Waverly train station, you can take a bus from Waverly Bridge. Disabled parking is available outside the palace, however these are limited.

Visit the Royal Collection Trust website for accessibility information and contact numbers.

This can be an enjoyable experience for anyone who likes the odd dram of whisky, or is interested in the history of Scotland’s famous tipple.  The attraction is accessible all the way through the tour.

Learn more about accessibility at The Scotch Whisky Experience from their Accessibility Guide.

Designed as Scotland’s premier dance and opera house in 1994, the theatre offers a wide variety of productions to enjoy.

The stalls are accessible by wheelchair and there are eight spaces for wheelchairs with adjacent seats for companions.

There are parking spaces for people with accessible requirements and the theatre offers a drop off and pick up service which you will need to book in advance. There are also bus stops for Lothian buses on the street outside.

Learn more about the Festival Theatre and accessibility on their website.

The Royal Yacht Britannia is the former royal yacht of Queen Elizabeth II, commissioned in 1954 it was used by the royal family to entertain guests around the world. It is now a popular tourist attraction and there has been every effort made to ensure it is accessible.

It is located behind Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre which has free parking with dedicated disabled parking spaces and accessible lifts.

All five decks of the yacht are accessible by a central lift and there are ramps throughout. There are several respite seating areas and you can hire a wheelchair.

Find out more about accessibility for your visit via The Royal Yacht website.