Access to st giles cathedral
We welcome all to St Giles’ and are keen to make sure we can cater to any accessibility requirements you might have. When visiting, please ask one of our Visitor Engagement Assistants if you have any questions or require assistance.
If you have any questions about accessibility of visiting or events, please email info@stgilescathedral.org.uk or call our office on +44 (0)131 226 0674
Getting HEre
Buses and Trams: While there is no bus which stops directly outside St Giles’, there are plenty of bus stops nearby. The nearest bus stop is the Victoria Street bus stop on George IV Bridge. There are regular busses from across the city to South Bridge lower down down the Royal Mile from us. A bus or tram to Princes Street requires an uphill walk up the Mound
You can plan your bus journey via: https://www.lothianbuses.com/live-travel-info/journey-planner/ or trams: https://edinburghtrams.com/plan-journey
Car: There is no parking at the Cathedral itself.
There are also two disabled parking bays for Blue Badge holders to the rear of the building adjacent to the Mercat Cross (Parliament Square). These are not bookable.
We are happy to call a taxi for you on request.
Facilities
ACCESS RAMP
We have a ramp going into the building, and one just inside the building when you enter, this is the main walkway all visitors will use.
Exterior Ramp
Thistle Chapel
The Thistle Chapel has four steps to the entrance. For those unable to use the steps we have a video available, or we can find you a guide to tell you about the Chapel and its history.
The video has captions and is sometimes in silent mode. We are happy to turn on the audio commentary for you. We are not able to turn on the audio commentary on during services, such as the weekday service at 12p.m.
Shop and Aisle Access
There are steps to the shop and some of our side aisles, making them inaccessible via wheelchair.
Toilets
We do not have public toilets or an accessible toilet in St Giles’ Cathedral. The nearest accessible bathrooms are in the National Library Scotland, they have a unisex accessible toilet on the ground floor and on the first floor. The library is on George IV Bridge, so continue up the Royal Mile towards the Castle and turn left at the first crossing, and stay on the left hand side of the road. The entrance is just past the bus stop.
ACCESSIBILITY
Seating: There is seating available to the general public, and we are happy to provide more if necessary.
Signage: We have some signage throughout the building, with various text sizes on different coloured backgrounds.
Quiet Hours: The cathedral can be loud, especially if there is an organ rehearsal, large group tour, midday service, or midday concert. If you are interested in visiting during quieter times, please contact us and we can advise you of a suitable time.
Tours: All are welcome on our daily tours, which run twice a day during the week and on Saturday mornings. These tours are in the main body of the Cathedral so all on one level, only the Thistle Chapel is down some steps.
If you would like more information about these tours or are interested in booking a specialist or sensory tour for yourself or a larger group, please email groups@stgilescathedral.org.uk.
Additional
We have two manual wheelchairs available, please ask.
Please note we do not have hearing loop systems in the building.
Dogs are allowed in the building, ask a member of staff or volunteer if your dog would like some water.
We do not have a cloakroom or storage area, so please keep your luggage with you at all times.