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The Black Watch Castle and Museum

Balhousie Castle, Hay Street, Perth, Perthshire, PH1 5HR

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Access Guide

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Overview

Parking

  • The car park is located through the neighbouring Sports Centre car park.
  • The car park is open air/surface.
  • There are 3 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
  • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
  • There is a marked zone to one side but not at the rear.
  • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a ramp or slope.
  • This car park is for visitors only.
  • Parking is free for all users.

Access To (Front Entrance)

  • The distance from the car park is 20m.
  • The most accessible route has a very easy slope.
  • There is a single manual gate which is permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 110cm.
  • The gate has a high visual contrast.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance, however one door is locked.
  • The door is permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 79cm.
  • There is a second set of double manual doors .
  • The second set of doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 168cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Shop (and Ticketing)

  • Getting Around View
    • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
    • There is background noise in some areas of the venue.
    • Signage is provided.
    • Seating available includes: chairs with armrests.
  • Payment View
    • The checkout area is located to the right side after entering.
    • There is step-free level access to the checkout area.
    • The venue has a payment counter.
    • The height of the payment counter is 94cm.
    • There is a lowered section at the counter, at a suitable height for a wheelchair user .
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Eating and Drinking (Bistro at The Castle)

  • Location and Service View
    • The bistro is on the left side after entering the shop and reception area.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
    • This area has a counter where food and drink can be ordered, colleagues who can provide assistance with ordering and numerous seating options.
    • Full table service is available.
    • Menus are handheld.
    • The following dietary requirements can be catered for: gluten free, dairy free, lactose free, nut allergy, vegetarian and vegan.
    • The following are available: drinking straws and takeaway cups.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Order and Payment View
    • The payment counter was surveyed.
    • The counter is located ahead after entering.
    • There is step-free level access to the counter.
    • The height of the counter is 95cm.
    • There is a lowered section at the counter, at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Seating Area View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
    • There may be background noise in this area.
    • The entrance doors into this area have an opening width of 202cm and are held open.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located between the French Wars and Empire Exhibitions.
  • The ground and first floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 18 steps between floors which are unmarked and have a handrail on the left going up.

Lift

  • The journey time to this lift from the entrance is approximately 3 minutes.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The ground and first floors are accessed by this lift.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 90cm.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a visual floor indicator, an audible announcer and a list of floor services/facilities.

Entrance (All Exhibits)

  • This entrance is located to the right of the ticket and shop counter.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is a single manual door at this entrance.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 114cm.
  • There is step-free access via a very easy ramp as you enter.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with no handrails.

Exhibition Space (Ground Floor - Introduction, Early Years and French Wars)

  • All exhibits are indoors.
  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • Access throughout may include doors permanently held open.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • The following may be experienced here: interactive video effects.
  • There may be background noise.
  • Display information includes: pictorial, audio guides, televisions/screens, interactive exhibits at a suitable height for a wheelchair user and subtitles.
  • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests and benches.
  • There are shows/talks with no designated seating for wheelchair users.
  • Guided tours are available.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the tour, this may include the use of a lift.
  • Access throughout the tour may include doors permanently held open.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided throughout the tour.

Exhibition Space (First Floor - Empire, First World War, Second World War and Post War)

  • All exhibits are indoors.
  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • Access throughout may include doors permanently held open.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is no (or very little) background noise.
  • Display information includes: pictorial, televisions/screens and subtitles.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Seating available in this area includes: benches.
  • Guided tours are available.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the tour, this may include the use of a lift.
  • Access throughout the tour may include doors permanently held open.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided throughout the tour.

Exhibition Space (Ground Floor - A Day in the Life, Special Exhibition and Remembrance)

  • All exhibits are indoors.
  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • Access throughout may include doors permanently held open.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • The following may be experienced here: interactive video effects.
  • There may be background noise.
  • Display information includes: pictorial, audio guides, televisions/screens, interactive exhibits at a suitable height for a wheelchair user and subtitles.
  • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests and benches.
  • There are shows/talks with no designated seating for wheelchair users.
  • Guided tours are available.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the tour, this may include the use of a lift.
  • Access throughout the tour may include doors permanently held open.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided throughout the tour.

Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the rear of the shop.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and manual doors.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The width of the door opening is 76cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 108cm (from the side of the toilet pan to the wall).
    • There is a lever flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder, a wash basin, a wall mounted soap dispenser and a hand dryer available.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rail is on the right as you face the wash basin.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin, a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • Additional features include: a mirror and a baby changing table.