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.

New College to George Square (via Edinburgh University Students' Association, Potterrow)

The University of Edinburgh, Central Area, Mound Place, Edinburgh, EH1 2LX

Access Guide

Show Easy Read

Route Overview (New College to George Square (via Edinburgh University Students' Association, Potterrow))

  • The start point for this guide is New College.
  • The end point for this guide is George Square.
  • The average walking time between the start and end points is 13 minutes.
  • This guide covers Mound Place, North Bank Street, Bank Street, George IV Bridge, Bristo Place, Bristo Square and Charles Street.
  • Points of interest in this area include: Lawnmarket (The Royal Mile), National Library of Scotland, National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh University Students' Association, Potterrow, McEwan Hall and The University of Edinburgh Visitor Centre.
  • There are bus stops on George IV Bridge, Bristo Place and Potterrow (at the top of Bristo Square). The route is approximately 0.6 miles in length, with busy pedestrian traffic throughout.

Related Access Guides

Starting Point - New College

  • New College is a historic building situated on The Mound, on the northern escarpment of Edinburgh's Old Town, overlooking the New Town and National Gallery of Scotland below. It houses the University of Edinburgh's School of Divinity.
  • There is very limited standard on street parking available on Mound Place, directly opposite the front of the building (chargeable).

New College to North Bank Street

  • This section heads out of New College, east along Mound Place, and then round to North Bank Street, covering a distance of approximately 50 metres.
  • Turn right out of New College, go east along Mound Place, and follow the pavement round until you reach North Bank Street at the foot of Mylne's Court Steps. Ignore the steps and turn left onto North Bank Street.
  • There is a steep ramp down out of New College, followed by a slight ramp down Mound Place. This becomes very slight and then changes to become a slight uphill ramp as you approach Mylne's Court Steps near the end of the section. The pavement is mostly comprised of even stone and concrete paving slabs, although there are some areas where it is slightly uneven.
  • This section of the route has heavy pedestrian traffic, and there is a bench on Mound Place just outside New College which could pose an obstruction.
  • At the time of survey (March 2025), there were temporary roadworks signs placed along part of this section, which could cause additional obstructions.

North Bank Street to Bank Street

  • This section heads east along North Bank Street towards Bank Street, covering a distance of approximately 105 metres.
  • Go straight ahead along North Bank Street, until you reach the junction with Bank Street.
  • Follow the pavement round onto Bank Street.
  • The gradient for the first half of this section is level; after which it begins to slope steeply uphill. The pavement is comprised of even concrete paving slabs throughout this section.
  • This section of the route has heavy pedestrian traffic, and there are railings, tables outside eateries, and some goods for sale outside shops which could cause further obstructions.

Bank Street to Lawnmarket (The Royal Mile)

  • This section heads south along Bank Street towards Lawnmarket (The Royal Mile), covering a distance of approximately 55 metres.
  • Go straight ahead along Bank Street, until you reach the junction with Lawnmarket (The Royal Mile).
  • There is a steep uphill gradient along this section of the route.
  • The pavement is mostly comprised of even concrete paving slabs, although there are some parts where it is slightly uneven.
  • This section of the route has heavy pedestrian traffic, and there are some street signposts which could cause further obstructions.

Crossing Point - Bank Street

  • Before you reach Lawnmarket (The Royal Mile), turn left and cross Bank Street via the pelican crossing.
  • The traffic on the road at this crossing is heavy and approaches from both directions.
  • The pelican crossing has a visual indicator for when it is safe to cross, activated by a push button. The crossing also has an audible alarm and rotating cones.
  • There are dropped kerbs with tactile paving on either side of the road here, both of which have steep gradients.
  • The road has a rough but even tarmac surface.
  • After the crossing, turn right.

Crossing Point - Lawnmarket (The Royal Mile)

  • Go straight ahead and cross Lawnmarket (The Royal Mile) via the pelican crossing.
  • The traffic on the road at this crossing is moderate and approaches from both directions.
  • The pelican crossing has a visual indicator for when it is safe to cross, activated by a push button. The crossing also has an audible alarm and rotating cones.
  • There are dropped kerbs with tactile paving on either side of the road here, both of which have steep gradients.
  • The road has an uneven cobbled surface.

George IV Bridge to Chambers Street

  • This section heads south along George IV Bridge from Lawnmarket (The Royal Mile) towards Chambers Street, covering a distance of approximately 275 metres.
  • Go straight ahead along George IV Bridge, until you reach the junction with Chambers Street.
  • There is step-free access along this section of the route; the gradient goes from slight downhill at the start of the section to very slight downhill, then eventually levels out completely just before you reach Chambers Street. The pavement is mostly comprised of even stone paving slabs, although there are some areas where it is slightly uneven.
  • This section of the route has heavy pedestrian traffic, and there are lamp posts, road signs, litter bins, bollards, bus stops, telephone boxes, tables outside eateries and some goods for sale outside shops which could cause obstructions.

Crossing Point - Chambers Street

  • Cross Chambers Street via the temporary pelican crossing (in place when surveyed in March 2025).
  • The traffic on the road at this crossing is heavy and approaches from both directions.
  • The temporary pelican crossing has a visual indicator for when it is safe to cross, activated by a push button. The crossing also has an audible alarm, but no rotating cones.
  • There are dropped kerbs with tactile paving on either side of the crossing, both of which have a slight gradient.
  • The road has a rough and worn tarmac surface.
  • After crossing the road, continue straight ahead along George IV Bridge.

Chambers Street to Lothian Street

  • This section heads southeast along George IV Bridge and Bristo Place, from Chambers Street to Lothian Street, covering a distance of approximately 175 metres.
  • Go straight ahead along George IV Bridge, cross the access road (Bristo Port), and follow the pavement straight ahead onto what is now Bristo Place, continuing as far as the junction with Lothian Street.
  • Initially sloping slightly uphill, George IV Bridge has a steep uphill gradient just before you reach the access road, Bristo Port. The crossing point over this has a flush kerb with no tactile paving on the near side and a dropped kerb with a slight gradient and no tactile paving on the far side. The road surface is cobbled.
  • There is then a very slight downhill slope along Bristo Place.
  • The pavement is mostly comprised of even stone and concrete paving slabs, although there are some areas where it is slightly uneven.
  • This section of the route has heavy pedestrian traffic, and there are lamp posts, litter bins, bus stops and road signs along this section which could cause obstructions.

Crossing Point - Lothian Street

  • Cross Lothian Street via the pelican crossing.
  • This is a staggered crossing with a central refuge.
  • For the first part of the crossing before the central refuge, there is a dropped kerb with a very slight gradient on the near side, followed by a dropped kerb with a steep gradient on the far side (up onto the central refuge). Neither of these dropped kerbs have any tactile paving.
  • Once on the central refuge, take the crossing on the left.
  • This second portion of the crossing has a dropped kerb with a steep gradient and no tactile paving on the near side, followed by a dropped kerb with a slight gradient that does have tactile paving on the far side.
  • Both portions of this pelican crossing has a visual indicator for when it is safe to cross, activated by a push button. However, they lack an audible alarm or rotating cones.
  • Both roadways before and after the central refuge have a rough and worn tarmac surface.

Lothian Street to Bristo Square

  • This section heads from the crossing point over Lothian Street through the top portion of Bristo Square, covering a distance of approximately 50 metres.
  • Turn diagonally left after the crossing point, go through the bollards and cross the top portion of Bristo Square, heading towards the University of Edinburgh Health and Wellbeing Centre/Pharmacy.
  • There is step-free access along this section of the route, with only a very slight downhill slope.
  • The surface is comprised of even stone paving slabs.
  • The bollards at the beginning of the section have a minimum width of 183cm.
  • This section of the route has heavy pedestrian traffic, and there are lamp posts, litter bins, street trees and bicycle racks which could cause obstructions.
  • Bench seating is available on and near to this portion of the route.

Bristo Square to George Square

  • This section heads south through Bristo Square, along Charles Street and into George Square at the northeastern corner, covering a distance of approximately 145 metres.
  • Go straight ahead through Bristo Square, keeping close to the buildings on your left. Leave the square at its southeastern corner, heading along Charles Street. Continue straight ahead until Charles Street meets Crichton Street; this intersection is at the northeast corner of George Square, which is the end of the route.
  • This section of the route is pedestrianised until around halfway along Charles Street, between Bristo Square and George Square. The surface through Bristo Square consists of tarmac and concrete and stone paving slabs; along Charles Street it is block paving and stone paving slabs. All surfaces are smooth and even throughout.
  • There is a slight downhill slope through Bristo Square, which gradually levels out to become very slight along the initial portion of Charles Street, and level by the end of the route as you approach George Square.
  • There are street lamps, bollards, bike racks, litter bins and street trees in the area, all of which could pose an obstruction.
  • Bench seating is available in Bristo Square, and the area is likely to be crowded with heavy footfall. Wayfinding maps and signage are provided.
  • At the time of survey (March 2025), building works were taking place in the area, narrowing the pedestrian walkway along Charles Street.

Finishing Point (George Square)

  • George Square is at the heart of the University of Edinburgh Central Campus and is the location of several key university buildings and services, including the Main Library, Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre, Business School, 40 George Square, 50 George Square, Hugh Robson Building and Chrystal Macmillan Building. There is a park and garden in the centre of the square, and on-street standard and Blue Badge parking is available here. There is vehicular access to the north, east and west sides of the square, while the south side is fully pedestrianised.