Elderburn Lodges

bellrock

24 May 2023

Exceptionally well adapted self catering lodge

5

5

Date of visit: May 2023

I am a carer or friend of a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: accessing toilets, hearing and moving around.

I use or have experience of: changing places toilet, disabled toilet, hearing aid or cochlear implant, walking aid, wheelchair

Overall Rating

Excellent

We stayed for a week in this extremely comfortable and thoughtfully adapted lodge.

Disabled Access In and Around

Excellent

There is level access throughout and to the secluded patio. The website notes that the rug and one of the coffee tables in the living room can be removed for easier wheelchair/rollator use and Anne helpfully did this for us. The reason we booked this particular accommodation is because it is one of the very few self catering places which offer an electric riser recliner - an essential for my relative. We're glad we did because it's excellent in all other ways too. The bedroom with the two single electric beds is opposite the bathroom and there is ample room beside the bed to transfer from a wheelchair. (See picture - it was taken after we had packed up to leave so the bed is not made up.) The dining table is a very good design. There is space between the legs to insert a wheelchair and there are no awkward ledges to catch your knees. Everything was spotlessly clean. I had a few queries before we booked and Anne was very helpful in discussing our needs.

Parking & Transport

Excellent

The lodge has two concrete parking spaces, one behind the other. These were ideal for wheeling a chair up the car ramp. For a sideways transfer from wheelchair to passenger seat it was easy to park on the gravel, alongside the concrete. There is a great deal of space in the driveway which accesses all the lodges. The lodge is very close to St Andrews.

Accessible Toilets

Excellent

The toilet has a drop down rail on one side and a wall mounted one on the other. Both are well positioned, the latter being close enough to the toilet to be used to push up. The wet room has a shower which can be used as an overhead shower or with a handheld attachment (with a good powerful flow) to be used with the shower chair. There is plenty of room for a wheelchair user and assistant.

Staff

Excellent

Anne was extremely helpful in considering our needs. She always responded promptly and thoughtfully. She has also thought about the needs of children, providing a treasure chest of toys and an activity pack with colouring books, pencils etc. There are swings outside as shown in the picture.

Additional Information

The lodge is within very easy reach of St Andrews, the East Neuk, Dundee and Angus. Although it's on a yellow road on the OS map, this is a good double width road, not a narrow country road. All the lodges have a ground floor bedroom and bathroom but Lodge 6 is more fully adapted. There is ample grassy space around the lodges.