Video Review: Calanais Standing Stones
4
4
Date of visit: July 2026
I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: a hidden impairment, accessing toilets and moving around.
I use or have experience of: changing places toilet, disabled toilet, hidden impairment, powerchair, toilet with hoist, toilets, walking aid, wheelchair
Overall Rating
Good
Earlier this year, my family and I toured the Western Isles of Scotland. The Calanais Standing Stones were one of our must-visit locations. A new visitor centre was built on the site in 2026, and we were curious to find out just how accessible it was. It turned out to be very accessible, but for one confusing design decision that would have left me stuck if I had been travelling solo.
Disabled Access In and Around
Average
I've had to rate this section as average, as the visitor centre was closed when we visited the stones. On our return, everything was locked and, for some reason, there was no accessible route around the building. There were steps but no ramp, which feels like a bit of a silly design decision. The visitor centre itself was easy to navigate, with plenty of consideration given to disabled visitors. There is a ramp up to the entrance with handrails, as well as steps with handrails and tactile paving at the top and bottom. The venue also offers concessionary pricing. The route to the stones is quite the hike. I used my power attachment to get up, but I wouldn't fancy trying it in a manual wheelchair. Even with my power attachment, I had to go at speed to make it up.
Accessible facilities: Step-free entrance, Seating at regular intervals, Step-free access to most areas
Parking & Transport
Good
I travelled to this place by personal vehicle
Parking was plentiful, with full-size accessible parking spaces complete with hatched markings. The site also has electric vehicle charging points. These are positioned low to the ground and do not have cables attached. They have a small rail at the front, which might mean wheelchair users need to lean over to plug in their vehicle.
Accessible facilities: Electric Vehicle Charging, Dedicated on-site parking
Accessible Toilets
Good
The accessible toilets were clean, which is to be expected given how new the centre is. The accessible toilet I visited had a right-hand transfer space. The toilet had a contrasting seat, contrasting grab rails on either side and a soft backrest. The red emergency cord was on the right when seated and reached the floor. The sink had a small basin and a long, lever-style mixer tap, with a soap dispenser on the wall to the right. There was no mirror above the sink and no colostomy shelf, although there is definitely room for one.
Facilities: Red Cord Card, Accessible toilet
Staff
Excellent
Staff were friendly and helpful.
Comments
justjules
14 Oct 2026
The new visitor centre looks great!
