Facilities for the disabled

The Edinburgh Military Tattoo is Scotland's biggest, best-selling spectacle, the most popular annual event on the Scottish calendar, attracting an International audience each year of some 200,000 people.

Its ancient, historic setting, on the Esplanade (the Tattoo venue) of Edinburgh Castle is matchless. Located high above the skyline of the oldest and most popular part of the City, perched on an extinct volcano some 135 metres above sea level, it may present access difficulties for some. Particularly, the elderly, people with disabilities or of limited mobility, those with heart or respiratory problems and vertigo sufferers.

Castlehill, the old-cobbled approach to the Esplanade, is a short walk of some 80 metres, though on a steep incline, and consequently, may prove difficult for some. In addition, there is on average, a further 60 metres followed by a dozen or so steps to be negotiated to reach the front rows of all the spectator stands in the arena where generally the seating is quite steeply tiered.

People with disabilities are welcome and facilities exist for the siting of wheelchairs at ground level under the North stand at all performances. Toilet facilities for disabled patrons are available on the Esplanade.

Our licensing requirements are such that wheelchair patrons may NOT be admitted to the arena unless accompanied by an able bodied attendant BUT in this connection an admission ticket will be provided free of charge.

Vehicle Passes

Vehicle Passes, for those in possession of disabled seating, may be issued which allow access to the Esplanade by Car, Taxi or Ambulance, however, they cannot be issued for performances on Saturdays under any circumstances.

A Vehicle Pass will permit the bearer to transport wheelchair patrons onto the Esplanade BUT vehicles must arrive in sufficient time to unload their passengers and clear the Esplanade AT LEAST 60 minutes before the start of the performance in question. The pass is not a permit to park on or near the Esplanade and is valid only on the date shown.

Vehicles should report to St Giles Street 100 minutes prior to the commencement of the Tattoo performance to be directed by the police onto the Esplanade. The vehicle MUST then be removed from the Esplanade by the bearer, returning to the Esplanade as instructed by the police some 20 minutes after the performance end.

If you wish to apply for such a pass please do so at the time of ordering tickets. You will be required to provide the following details indicating whether or not your order is dependant upon the allocation of a vehicle pass:-

  • Date required
  • Vehicle Type
  • Vehicle Registration Number (if known)
  • Blue Badge Number
  • Driver's Name or Organisation
  • Number of persons with disabilities/Total Number of passengers

 

Hearing Difficulties

Assistance for those with impaired hearing is available, subject only to availability, in the shape of a Personal PA System (Neckloop Induction Coil for use with hearing aids equipped with a "T" switch) . This facility is available in the East Stand and sections C and D in the North and South stands.

Audio Description

Audio description will be available for the visually impaired at the Preview Show on Thursday 5th August 2010 at 9.30pm. Anyone wishing to avail themselves of this facility must be accompanied by a sighted guide and must reserve equipment at the time of booking. Tickets for this performance will be available for sale from Monday 26th July 2010. This facility is available in sections C and D in the North and South stands. Guide dogs unfortunately cannot be admitted to the grandstand.