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Talbot Rice Gallery

The University of Edinburgh, Central Campus, Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh, EH8 9YL

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Access Guide

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Introduction

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

Opening Times

  • Monday 10:00 - 17:00.
  • Tuesday 10:00 - 17:00.
  • Wednesday 10:00 - 17:00.
  • Thursday 10:00 - 17:00.
  • Friday 10:00 - 17:00.
  • Saturday 12:00 - 17:00.
  • Sunday Closed.

Building Parking

  • The building does not have its own dedicated parking.
  • On Street Parking View
    • Clearly signed and / or standard marked parking bays are available.
    • The on street standard parking bay(s) is/are located on Chambers Street.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.

Outside Access (West College Street Entrance to Old College)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located off West College Street.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) is / are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 123cm (4ft).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located to the right as you face the entrance.
    • The ramp or slope does bypass the step(s).
    • The ramp/slope gradient is easy.
    • The ramp is permanent.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp.
    • The ramp does not have handrails.
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is / are 2 step(s) to access the entrance.
    • There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the step(s).
    • The step(s) is / are not clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are medium (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do not have handrails.
  • Comments View
    • There is a set of automatic sliding doors immediately beyond the second set of permanently held open doors. Beyond this there is an easy ramp.

Entrance (Talbot Rice Gallery)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located to your right on entrance.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 146cm (4ft 9in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 123cm (4ft).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located immediately beyond the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • The ramp does not have handrails.
  • Comments View
    • There is a secondary smaller ramp immediately beyond the first ramp.

Other Floors (Stairs to the Gallery on the Second Floor)

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G-2.
    • The stairs are located to your right on entrance to the Gallery.
    • 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 right going up.
    • There is a landing.
  • Comments View
    • Photograph 2 shows the door on the second floor that leads from the stairs into the Gallery.

Lift (Main Lift)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to your left on entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G-2-3.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • The lift is approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the Talbot Gallery entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 80cm (2ft 7in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 150cm x 103cm (4ft 11in x 3ft 5in).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does not have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does not have an audible announcer.
  • The lift does not have a hearing loop system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lighting level in the lift is bright.

Reception

  • Gallery Reception is located in front of you when you exit the lift.
  • The desk is 10m (10yd 2ft) from the lift on the second floor.
  • The reception area is clearly visible from the entrance.
  • There is step free access to this reception area, via lift.
  • The lighting levels in the reception area are bright.
  • The reception desk/counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
  • There is not a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
  • The desk is staffed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the majority of the building, via lift.
    • There is/are 5 clearly marked step(s), with a handrail on the left going up, for access to The Torrie Collection Gallery.
    • The step(s) is/are medium (11cm - 17cm).
    • There is a platform lift which overcomes the steps.
    • The steps can be seen in photograph 1.
    • There is a moderate slope, with no handrails, for access to the Round Room on the third floor.
    • The width of the ramp is 108cm (3ft 7in).
    • The ramp can be seen in photograph 2.
    • There are not doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is not clear signage for building facilities/areas in the foyer/reception area.
    • There is no directional signage at key points of circulation routes.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • This building does not play background music.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Comments View
    • The surfaces and other features within the Gallery maybe changed dependent on the exhibition.
    • The doorways around the Georgian Gallery basement are 82cm in width.
    • The turning spaces at the corners of the gallery are strictly limited. An example of this can be seen in photograph 3.
    • Hearing Loops can be provided for groups booked in advance.

Lift (Georgian Gallery Lift)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located in the corridor between the White Gallery and the Georgian Gallery.
  • The lift is a platform lift.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • The platform lift accesses a small level change.
  • The lift is approximately 16m (17yd 1ft) from the main lift.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The dimensions of the lift are 80cm x 100cm (2ft 7in x 3ft 3in).
  • The lift does not have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does not have an audible announcer.
  • The lift does not have a hearing loop system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does not have tactile markings.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lighting level in the lift is bright.

Other Floors (Within the Gallery)

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are floors two and three.
    • The stairs are located in the White Gallery.
    • 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.
    • There is an alternate set of stairs within the Georgian Gallery leading to the Georgian Gallery Balcony.

Accessible Toilet

  • There are accessible toilet facilities within this venue.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is tactile, Braille and pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 16m (17yd 1ft) from the main lift.
    • This accessible toilet is located in the corridor between the White Gallery and the Georgian Gallery.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
    • This is by lift.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a unisex toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 86cm (2ft 10in).
    • The door is heavy.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 145cm x 197cm (4ft 9in x 6ft 6in).
    • There is not 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 right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 77cm (2ft 6in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush 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 and non-infectious waste 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 50cm (1ft 8in).
    • 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 poor.
    • There is a poor 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 is a baby change in the cubicle at a height of 92cm.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard Toilet Surveyed View
    • A male standard toilet was surveyed.
    • The toilet surveyed is located in the corridor between the White Gallery and the Georgian Gallery.
    • There is a female standard toilet in the same location.
    • There is step free access to the standard toilet(s) surveyed from the entrance.
    • The standard toilet surveyed is approximately 16m from the main lift.
    • 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 male toilets only have urinals available.