Skip to main content
The new name for DisabledGo

Search for accessible places to go

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

George Square, 55-60

The University of Edinburgh, Central Campus, 55-60 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JU

View Accessibility Symbols

Accessibility Symbols

For more information about what these symbols mean, view our Accessibility Symbols Guide.

Close this popup window.

Access Guide

Show Easy Read

Introduction

  • The Learning and Teaching Spaces Technology Section currently occupy this building. The Undergraduate and Postgraduate Admissions Receptions are located here. Offices are located throughout the building.

Rooms and Spaces Links

Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • The Central Area is located on the south side of the city centre. Traffic congestion can be a problem, and parking is strictly controlled. Options to driving into the city centre include Park & Ride tram and bus car parks at the edges of the city.
    • A number of University car parks are located in the Central Area. The Transport and Parking Office of the University of Edinburgh manages parking at the University. University car parks are for the use of permit holders only, and are subject to the university’s parking regulations. Permits are available for visitors to the university.
  • By Bus View
    • Buses from all over the city travel to the Central Area of the university. The University also provides a shuttle bus for staff and students between the Central Area and the King's Buildings. The majority of buses are operated by Lothian Buses. Up to the minute "real time" bus timetable information is now available at the majority of bus stops across the city. Information panels provided next to the majority of bus stops let you know when the next bus services will be arriving, or if there has been a delay.
  • By Train View
    • The Central Area of the university is 0.7 miles from Edinburgh Waverley Station. It should be noted that some of the walking routes may feature paths with steep gradients or steps given the landscape. Edinburgh has rail links throughout the UK. The East Coast mainline, which links Edinburgh and London King’s Cross, is the UK's fastest intercity railway: you can travel between the cities in around 4 hours. A sleeper service runs between London Euston and Edinburgh Waverley 6 nights a week. There are intercity links to other cities including Glasgow (45 minutes), and York, Newcastle or Aberdeen (all 2 hours). All trains arrive at Waverley Station in the centre of the city, although some trains also stop at Haymarket, which is a smaller station in the West End.
  • By Tram View
    • The Edinburgh tram service runs from Edinburgh Airport in the west, to York Place in the east end of the city centre, presently being extended to Leith north east of the city centre. The nearest stop to the Central Campus Area is Princes Street. The nearest stop to the Lauriston Campus and the ECA buildings, or to the Western General site, is West End.
  • Useful Links View

Useful Information

Site/Campus Car Park (Appleton Tower)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located to the left of Appleton Tower, accessed off Chapel Street.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are Appleton Tower, 50 George Square.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park surface is tarmac and block paving.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • There is/are 5 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 240cm x 480cm (7ft 10in x 15ft 9in).
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do vary in size.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by Blue Badge holders and permit holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • Signs are provided to give information on parking charges/restrictions.
    • Signs are clearly presented.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
  • Car Park Access View
    • There is sloped access to the car park from the Chapel Street.
    • This car park is not clearly signposted from the Appleton Tower Building.
    • The nearest designated bay is 8m (8yd 2ft) from the Appleton Tower Building.
  • Comments View
    • Permits are not free and will need to be purchased from the University.
    • There are 2 Blue Badge parking bays adjacent Appleton Tower and a further 3 Blue Badge parking bays in the car park between Appleton Tower and 50 George Square.
    • The Blue Badge parking bays are over 50m from the Bayes Centre.

Outside Access (58 George Square)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located off George Square.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (away from you).
    • The door(s) is/are push pad activated.
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The width of the door opening is 95cm (3ft 1in).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is steep.
    • The ramp is permanent.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp.
    • The ramp does have handrails.
    • The handrails are on both sides.
  • Comments View
    • There is a small easy ramp immediately beyond the entrance with no handrails (as shown in photograph 3).

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is an easy ramp, with a handrail on the left going up, for access to G59 from G58.
    • The width of the ramp is 137cm (4ft 6in).
    • The ramp can be seen in photograph 1.
    • There is/are 3 clearly marked step(s), with handrails on both sides, for access to G60 from G59.
    • The step(s) is/are medium (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps can be seen in photograph 2.
    • There is an easy ramp, with a handrail on the left going up, for access to 56 George Square from 57 George Square.
    • The width of the ramp is 112cm (3ft 8in).
    • There are doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is clear signage for building facilities/areas in the foyer/reception area.
    • There is clearly written directional signage at key points of circulation routes.
    • There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • This building does not play background music.
  • Comments View
    • There are three lower ground areas in the building located 55-56 George Square, 57-59 George Square and 60 George Square respectively.
    • 57-58 George Square are linked on the first floor.
    • 58-60 George Square are linked on the second floor.
    • 55-56 George Square are linked on the third floor. There are several steps located in this link and a low ceiling of only 150cm from the floor.

Reception (Undergraduate and Postgraduate Admissions Receptions)

  • Undergraduate and Postgraduate Admissions Receptions is located in G58 on the ground floor.
  • The desk is 13m (14yd 8in) from the 57 George Square.
  • Clear signage for the reception area is not visible from the entrance.
  • There is step free access to this reception area.
  • The lighting levels in the reception area are bright.
  • The reception desk/counter is high (110cm+).
  • There is a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
  • There is not a clear knee recess beneath the low counter.
  • The desk is staffed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G-1-2.
    • The stairs are located in G58.
    • The stairs are approximately 6m from the G58 entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The lighting levels are bright.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on the left going up.
    • There is a landing.
    • In 55 the stairs go from LG-G-1-2-3. This can be seen in photograph 2. In 56 the stairs go from G-1-2-3. In 57 the stairs go from LG-G-1. This can be seen in photograph 3. In 59 the stairs go from LG-G-1-2. With a separate staircase going from floors 2-3. In 60 the stairs go from LG-G-1-2. This can be seen in photograph 4.

Accessible Toilet

  • There are accessible toilet facilities within this venue.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 35m (38yd 10in) from the 58 George Square entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located in 55 George Square on the ground floor.
    • There is not level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a unisex toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens inwards and outwards.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 83cm (2ft 9in).
    • The door is light.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 150cm x 300cm (4ft 11in x 9ft 10in).
    • There is a clear 150cm x 150cm manoeuvring space in the accessible toilet.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 84cm (2ft 9in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is an emergency pull cord alarm in the cubicle.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are female sanitary disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall-mounted grab rails are available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are bright.
  • Comments View
    • There are two doors to access the accessible toilet.
    • The first is heavy, opens away from you and has a width of 80cm. There is a small staff kitchen area between these two doors.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Location of Standard Toilet(s) View
    • There are female standard toilets facilities on the basement floor and the ground floor.
    • There are male standard toilets facilities on the basement floor and the ground floor.
    • There are shared standard toilets facilities on the first floor, the second floor and the third floor.
  • Standard Toilet Surveyed View
    • A male standard toilet was surveyed.
    • The toilet surveyed is located in 60 George Square on the ground floor.
    • There is step free access to the standard toilet(s) surveyed from the entrance.
    • The standard toilet surveyed is approximately 31m from the 58 George Square entrance.
    • There is not a/are not cubicle(s) suitable for ambulant disabled people in the standard toilet(s) surveyed.
    • Lighting levels in the standard toilet surveyed are good.
  • Comments View
    • The female toilets on the ground floor are located in 56 Gordon Square.
    • Female and male toilets are located in the 57 - 59 George Square area of the Basement Floor.
    • The shared toilets on the first and second floors in 60 George Square, the second floor in 55 George Square and the first, second and third floors in 59 George Square.