An accessible highlight
5
5
Date of visit: September 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
Excellent
Fruitmarket is easily one of my favourite places in Edinburgh. The gallery, event space and café are wholly committed to making the venue as accessible as they can to as many people as possible. From the touchpad-operated automatic door with Braille markings, the roomy café and the singing lift, yup, you heard me, it is an easy place to recommend.
Disabled Access In and Around
Good
There are automatic doors at the entrance to the ground floor, which open inwards. The main counter is to the left and has a lowered section. The café is further to the left, with event spaces beyond the café, next to the stairs to the first floor and on the first floor itself. There is a lift to the first floor which sings as you go up! The lift is small but provides just enough space for a powerchair user and a second person. There is also a mirror to help with reversing out. Portable folding stools are available to borrow if you need one. Just ask an Information Assistant. Guide dogs, hearing dogs and registered assistance dogs are welcome. Large print information is available and printed materials can also be downloaded in Word format. A portable hearing loop is available to borrow while in the gallery. Just ask an Information Assistant if you need one. Folding chairs are available for use within the venue.
Accessible facilities: Lift to all areas, Step-free entrance, Seating at regular intervals
Parking & Transport
Good
I travelled to this place by walk or wheel
Whilst there are only a handful of parking spaces nearby, Fruitmarket is conveniently located next to Edinburgh Waverley - helpful if you're getting the train through, or just want to cut through the station from Princes Street to avoid the rain. Waverley also has a Changing Places toilet.
Accessible facilities: Public or on street parking
Accessible Toilets
There is an accessible toilet to the right as you enter the venue, along the corridor, with Braille signage on the door. There is an adjustable grab rail to the left of the toilet pan and fixed rails to the right. The toilet seat and grab rails provide good visual contrast against their surroundings. This toilet provides space for a right-side transfer. The sink is small with grab rails on either side and features a long lever-style tap. The emergency cord hangs to the right of the toilet pan and sink. A second, more spacious toilet can be found down the ramp past the café.
Facilities: Accessible toilet, Red Cord Card
Staff
Excellent
The staff are fantastic, lovely, welcoming and knowledgeable.
