Accessible Edinburgh Castle
Accessibility :
Wheelchair Accessible Building (mostly),
Wheelchair Accessible Toilets,
Parking Available near Entrance*
(Advance Booking/Blue Badge Holders only)
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For details of other wheelchair accessible attractions, step-free DIY Walking Tours, plus the best accessible hotels in Edinburgh, see The Accessible Edinburgh Guide
Accessible Edinburgh Castle
The majority of Edinburgh Castle is wheelchair accessible.
Because of the age of Edinburgh Castle though (there’s been a fort on this rock since the Iron Age), some parts are steep; and access to many areas of Edinburgh Castle involves steps.
And there are cobbles. Lots of cobbles.
And it is these cobbles which may be the biggest problem for you.
Accessible Parking at Edinburgh Castle
Between October and May, there are 6 accessible Blue Badge parking spaces on the Castle Esplanade (which is directly in front of the entrance to Edinburgh Castle). To book one of the spaces, call +44(0) 131 225 9846 or email ecadmissions@hes.scot.
There are also 5 accessible parking bays in the nearby NCP Edinburgh Castle Terrace Car Park. However, Castle Terrace is located below Edinburgh Castle, so manual wheelchair users might need a good push up the hill (powerchair users should be OK though). These accessible parking spaces are allocated on a “first come, first served” basis though – it’s not possible to book them in advance.
Vehicles/taxis can drop passengers off on the Castle Esplanade too though (this is directly in front of the entrance to Edinburgh Castle). However, between June and September, Castle Esplanade is closed to traffic (due to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo preparations) so you will be dropped off slightly further away.
Getting to Edinburgh Castle using Public Transport
Train:
The nearest train station is Edinburgh Waverley Train Station.
Accessible Taxi:
Although it looks reasonably close on a map, Edinburgh Waverley Station is also at the foot of the hill leading up to Edinburgh Castle. My advice then, if arriving at Edinburgh Waverley by train, would be to take a wheelchair accessible taxi, from the taxi rank at the station, up the hill to Edinburgh Castle.
If you do decide to walk (or be pushed) though, which is definitely possible, then I would recommend leaving Edinburgh Waverley Station via the two wheelchair accessible lifts which take you towards Waverley Market (the opposite direction!), turning right onto Princes Street, then again turning right onto North Bridge, and crossing the bridge. Turn right again (into High Street), and trundle up to Edinburgh Castle from there. This is a circuitous route – but the two lifts at Edinburgh Waverley, and the roundabout route, minimise the gradient.
There is a shorter route (via Cockburn Street), but Cockburn Street is seriously steep – and any wheelchair pusher will struggle.
Trams & Buses:
These also arrive near Waverley Market on Princes Street, so simply follow the directions above too (the bit from Princes Street to Edinburgh Castle anyway).
Access - Entrance to Edinburgh Castle
Access to Edinburgh Castle includes rolling across a slatted wooden bridge from Castle Esplanade. The gradient here is no more than 5 degrees.
Once inside Edinburgh Castle you arrive at the lowest point. There is a wheelchair accessible vehicle here (which can also carry powered wheelchairs depending on dimensions). This vehicle will take you up to Crown Square (which is almost the highest point of Edinburgh Castle). And you simply roll back down from there.
Accessible Toilets at Edinburgh Castle
There are wheelchair accessible toilets at the entrance to Edinburgh Castle, where you first arrive. Wheelchair accessible toilets are also available in Crown Square, where the motorised transport will drop you off. There are wheelchair accessible toilets in Crown Square.
Accessible Cafe/Restaurant at Edinburgh Castle
As stated above, the newly refurbished Redcoat Café in Edinburgh Castle is step-free.
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For details of other accessible Edinburgh visitor attractions, accessible events, accessible Edinburgh hotels and apartments, see The Accessible Edinburgh Guide
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Thank you – and happy travels!
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