Harbourside Changing Places toilet
4
4
Date of visit: November 2025
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
I was surprised to learn that the Visitor Centre is not actually a visitor centre at all. It is now home to several businesses, but it does have a great Changing Places toilet, which is ideal for those visiting Arbroath Harbour or dining at The Old Boatyard Restaurant. In fact, the restaurant looks after the Changing Places toilet.
Disabled Access In and Around
Average
would have rated the access higher if it were not for the fact that the automatic doors were not working when I visited. This led to me wrestling with two doors to get into the building, with no way to signal for help. Once inside, there is level access, but nothing more of note in terms of accessibility features.
Accessible facilities: Step-free entrance, Single-level venue
Parking & Transport
Average
I travelled to this place by walk or wheel
There are four accessible parking spaces outside, with hatched markings on either side. I noticed a work van parked in one of the spaces. Just out front, there is a drop-off point and a bus stop, although I could not find information on services running to the venue. Arbroath Bus Station is 640 metres away, and Arbroath Railway Station is half a mile away.
Accessible facilities: Drop-off or pick up point, Dedicated on-site parking
Accessible Toilets
Average
The door to the Changing Places toilet opens outwards and requires a RADAR key. There is a touchpad on the wall, but this did not appear to do anything. The toilet has a ceiling track hoist, an adjustable changing bed and an adjustable sink. The sink has contrasting grab rails on either side, and the mechanism to raise and lower it is on the right-hand side. The basin is deep, and the tap is a long lever style. There is space for a right-side transfer, a contrasting blue toilet seat and contrasting rails on either side of the pan. To the right when seated, there is a small shelf, but it was slanted and hanging a little loose on the wall. The red cord is on the left when seated, with a second red cord installed by the door. The facility itself is quite clean. The main drawback is access to the venue. There are touchpads at the front door, but they did not activate the doors. I had to struggle with two manual doors to get into the building, but once inside, the Changing Places toilet is clearly signposted.
Facilities: Changing Places toilet
