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The Scotch Whisky Experience

354 Castlehill, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH1 2NE

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Access Guide

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Summary

  • Amenities at this site include: a reception, a restaurant and a shop.
  • There is not onsite parking available here and there is designated Blue Badge on street parking nearby.
  • The most accessible entrance has a slight ramp/slope and automatic doors.
  • There is 1 step-free entrance.
  • This does include the main entrance.
  • The entrance surveyed is the main entrance on Castlehill.
  • The building has 5 floors once inside.
  • There is step free access once inside with lift access to other floors.
  • There is ramped access to the accessible toilets on floor -1 and the tour rooms on floor 1.
  • There is a member of staff available for help and assistance.
  • This venue also has the following available: seating, audio format information, a handheld device with sign language, a hearing assistance system which is not signed and a companion/carer discount.
  • At the time of our visit the hearing assistance system was working.
  • Toilet and changing facilities available include: step free standard toilets and a toilet with some adaptations for disabled people.
  • There is/are 2 toilet(s) designated as accessible.
  • The accessible toilet surveyed can be found on floor -1.
  • This accessible toilet is approximately 8m from the lift.
  • The standard toilets can be found on floor -1 and floor 1.
  • The standard toilets surveyed can be found on floor -1.
  • There was interference on the hearing assistance system in the shop.

Parking

  • This venue does not have a car park.
  • Nearby parking includes Blue Badge on-street parking (within 50m) and standard on-street parking.
  • There is not a designated drop-off point.

Public Transport

  • There is not a bus stop within approximately 150m of the venue.
  • The nearest bus stop is on George IV Bridge and is 300 metres from the venue.
  • The nearest train station is Edinburgh Waverley.
  • The nearest tram station is St Andrew Square.

Entrance

  • The entrance surveyed is located on Castlehill (Royal Mile).
  • There is step-free access at this entrance, via ramp/slope.
  • The ramp has a width of at least 150cm and a slight gradient .
  • The ramp does not have handrails.
  • There are double automatic doors which open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 126cm.
  • There is a second set of doors.
  • There are double automatic doors which open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 126cm.

Reception (Temporary Ticket Desk)

  • There is step-free level access to this reception.
  • The height of the reception counter is 100cm.
  • There is not a low level desk or counter at the recommended height for wheelchair users (between 76cm - 86cm).
  • There is no (or very little) background noise here.
  • There are bench seats available in the reception area.
  • All of the seating is fixed.

Shop

  • There is a manual door which is permanently held open and has a high colour contrast.
  • The width of the door opening is 106cm.
  • The majority of aisle widths are 150cm+.
  • Some flooring in the shop is smooth and even.
  • Where the flooring is not smooth or even, it is due to carpet.
  • Some of the flooring includes large repeating patterns in bold colours, which may look like steps or holes to some people.
  • Some of the flooring has a very shiny finish, which could cause issues with glare or look slippery.
  • There is step-free level access to the till(s).
  • There is not a low level till at the recommended height for seated users (between 76cm - 86cm).
  • The till has a hearing assistance loop which is not signed.
  • Services/facilities available in the shop include: a portable card machine for payment and a member of staff to provide assistance.
  • There is background noise here.
  • There is a touchscreen in the shop to assist with whisky selection.

Tour

  • The tour is guided.
  • The tour takes approximately 50 minutes.
  • There is step-free access along the tour route, via ramp/slope.
  • The majority of walkways are 150cm+ wide.
  • There is background noise along the tour route.
  • Tour information includes the following formats: BSL, television/screen, touchscreens, handheld information devices, subtitles and multi-language audio.
  • There are chairs without armrests, high stools, armchairs and bench seats at regular intervals along the tour.
  • Some of the seating is fixed.
  • All flooring along the tour route is smooth and even.
  • Some of the flooring has a very shiny finish, which could cause issues with glare or look slippery.
  • Lighting levels are low along parts of the tour route.
  • The tour includes scratch and sniff cards, nosing and tasting experiences and cards explaining the aromas and tastes of the whiskeys.
    There are different tour types and the maximum time for a tour is 1.5 hours.
    All rooms with fixed seating have designated seating areas for wheelchair users.

Lift

  • A member of staff does not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are -2, -1, 0, 1, 2.
  • Externally the lift has: buttons with a low colour contrast to the surroundings, controls at a recommended height range (between 90cm - 110cm), tactile markings and a door with a high colour contrast to the surroundings.
  • The lift door opening width is 80cm.
  • The dimensions of the lift are 106cm x 140cm.
  • Internally the lift has: a separate door to exit, controls at a recommended height range (between 90cm - 110cm), an audible announcer, a visual floor indicator, buttons with a low colour contrast to the surroundings and tactile markings.

Stairs

  • The floors which are accessible by stairs are -1, 0, 1.
  • There are 15+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are not clearly marked but there are handrails on both sides.
  • There are two identical sets of stairs used in the tour. One set of stairs is used for entry, the other is used for exit.

Eating and Drinking (Amber)

  • This is a restaurant which serves hot and cold meals and snacks.
  • There is step-free access to this area, via ramp/slope.
  • There is a bar where drinks can be ordered and full table service.
  • Menu types include; handheld menus.
  • Menus are easy to read.
  • The following are available here: a portable card machine for payment.
  • There is background noise here.
  • There is a hearing assistance system which is not signed.
  • There is not a low level counter at the recommended height for wheelchair users (between 76cm - 86cm).
  • The seating area has: tables which are accessible to wheelchair users, high stools, chairs without armrests, room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm) and bench seats.
  • The seating area does not have: a priority table and a mixture of chairs with and without armrests.
  • Tables are at a recommended height for wheelchair users (between 70cm - 80cm).
  • The following furniture is permanently fixed: some of the chairs.
  • All flooring in the area is smooth and even.
  • Some of the flooring has a very shiny finish, which could cause issues with glare or look slippery.

Ramp or Slope (Amber)

  • A width between 75cm and 150cm and There is a ramp with a slight gradient .
  • The ramp does not have handrails.

Ramp or Slope (Level -1 Toilets)

  • There is a ramp with a slight gradient and a width of at least 150cm .
  • The ramp does not have handrails.

Accessible Toilet (Left Hand Transfer)

  • This accessible toilet is located on floor -1.
  • There is step-free access into the accessible toilet, via ramp/slope.
  • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is a manual door which opens outwards and has a good colour contrast.
  • The door has a twist lock.
  • The width of the accessible toilet door opening is 77cm.
  • The dimensions of the cubicle are 144cm x 205cm and it does not have a 150cm x 150cm turning space.
  • There is a lateral transfer space to the left of the toilet seat.
  • The lateral transfer space is 77cm from the side of the toilet pan to the wall.
  • There is a push button flush on the wall above the toilet.
  • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
  • The following fixtures can be reached from the toilet seat: the toilet roll holder.
  • The following fixtures cannot be reached from the toilet seat: the wash basin and hand dryer.
  • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm.
  • The height of the toilet roll holder is 80cm.
  • The wash basin tap type is sensor.
  • The height of the wash basin is 82cm.
  • The height of the hand dryer is 82cm.
  • There is a pull cord emergency alarm at a recommended height for seated users (within 10cm from the floor).
  • There is not a shelf.
  • The cubicle does not have a full length mirror.
  • The cubicle also has: a waste bin without lid, a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
  • The following have a good colour contrast with their surroundings: the dropdown rail.
  • The following have a less clear colour contrast with their surroundings: the toilet seat, the internal door and the floor.
  • There is a 2cm lip on the threshold of the door.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • There is step-free access to the toilet(s), via ramp/slope.
  • There is a manual door which opens inwards and has a high colour contrast.
  • The male standard toilet was surveyed.
  • There is also a female toilet in the same location.
  • The wash basin tap type is sensor.
  • There is a 2cm lip on the threshold of the door. There are additional standard toilets on level 1 at the end of the tour.

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