Accessibility

Reasonable adjustments have been made to the venue to give the best access for customers with disabilities. However Summerhall is B-listed and over one hundred years old and not all of our venue spaces are fully accessible. We will continue to upgrade our facilities and would welcome any suggestions and advice.

Performances with BSL interpretation and relaxed performances are offered for some shows;

Roundabout (Relaxed Performances)

Roundabout (Closed Captioning)

Wheelchair and limited-mobility access to Summerhall is via the side entrance on Summerhall Square. The entrance is clearly marked by the original Dick Vet gates and a Front of House member is present in the courtyard at all times. As you enter, The Royal Dick is situated to your right as you come in (with a ramp at the rear of the bar) and there is a ramp directly ahead of you that leads to the Box Office, Press Office and Café.

Below is a list of our venues and upon which floor they are located. The venues marked with (x) are not wheelchair accessible and the venues marked with (-) have a few steps in order to reach them.  There is lift access to some of the First Floor and Basement spaces. Further information about individual spaces and shows can be obtained from the Box Office as some venues that ordinarily are wheelchair accessible may not be for certain shows.

In order for us to help the best we can, it is advisable that you arrive early and to book ahead and let us know you are coming. Access bookings can be made via our telephone number 0131 560 1581 or in person. Please inform the Box Office at the time of booking if you are a wheelchair user and we will assist in every way possible. We also have the ability to reserve certain sections of the auditorium should a person have any further requirements to enjoy the performance.

If you would like more information about the accessibility of particular shows, or if you wish to arrange a familiarisation tour of the venue prior to the festival, please do not hesitate to contact us by phone on 0131 560 1580 or by email on info@summerhall.co.uk

Main Hall Lift – lift door: 92cm; lift space: 124cmX188cm

Ground Floor Venues and Galleries

  • Anatomy Lecture Theatre (wheelchair access dependent on show)
  • Box Office
  • Demonstration Room (wheelchair access dependent on show)
  • The Old Generator (x)
  • Library Gallery
  • Press Office
  • Old Lab
  • Roundabout
  • Sciennes Gallery (A suite of three room, the first two rooms are wheelchair accessible, the third room has two steps)
  • Summerhall Distillery (Pickering’s Gin) 2 Small steps via The Royal Dick – Access via The Street and 90cm gate
  • TechCube Zero
  • The Cafe
  • The Royal Dick
  • Sciennes Gallery
  • War Memorial Library

First Floor Venues and Spaces

  • Cairns Lecture Theatre (x) 27 steps up to the space, a further 8 steps into the space, a further 7 steps down to the stage
  • Corner Gallery (Main Hall Lift)
  • Demarco European Art Foundation (Main Hall Lift)
  • Main Hall (Main Hall Lift)
  • Meadows Galleries (Main Hall Lift)
  • Lower Church Gallery (x) (During the Festival there is access from Hope Park Terrace with fewer steps and is more direct. There is a bell which will notify the information assistant to open the door) 5 steps down, then 27 steps up from the rear car park entrance
  • Laboratory Gallery (Main Hall Lift)
  • Locked In: The Distillery Escape (x)
  • The Dissection Room (x) Standing only, no raised platform, 27 steps up
  • Upper Church (x) 27 steps from the lower church entrance – 5 steps down, then 51 steps up from the rear car park entrance

Basement Venues and Spaces

  • Basement Gallery (Main Hall Lift)
  • Lower Library Gallery (Main Hall Lift)
  • The RUTS (x)
  • Red Lecture Theatre (x) 14 steps down to the space, a further 10 steps through the seating and onto the stage

Offsite Shows