The stairs might be worth the climb.
4
4
Date of visit: October 2025
I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: a hidden impairment and moving around.
Overall Rating
Good
I love old things, I love books and I love community, so I cannot miss out on a historic library, even if that means blowing my reserves on a flight of stairs. It was worth it to be among thousands of centuries-old books in many different languages, which the lovely volunteers were happy to take out and let us peruse. They also gave us a comprehensive introduction to the history of the library and had prepared a folder of some of their rightfully most popular items: a collection of historic maps. The Leighton Library is Scotland’s oldest purpose-built library, based on the collection of 17th-century bishop of Dunblane Robert Leighton. It is still housed on the first floor of its original building from 1687, so unfortunately there is no lift. There are 12 steps up with a railing on the left to get to the door and there is plenty of seating once you go in, so I was determined to give it a go – but where was I to leave my wheelchair? My partner went ahead to speak to one of the volunteers and they unlocked a door to the ground floor, which used to be the home of the librarian, but is now used for storage, and I could safely store my powerchair there while exploring the library’s treasures above. The library consists of just one large room, lined with bookshelves, with a table and chairs in the middle. There are a few large windows with pretty views and I found the atmosphere to be peaceful and calm. Entry is free and donations are encouraged – or you could support them by buying a mug, tea towel or tote bag with illustrations from some of the books. Since there is no heating in the library and it is not safe to light a fire like they did in the past, opening hours are very limited during the colder months, so do check ahead of time.
Disabled Access In and Around
Poor
There are 12 steps up to the entrance. There is a handrail on the left and a wall to the right. There are QR codes around the library to access information about many of the items via the Bloomberg Connects app. The information in the app is available in audio and written format and you can access it on your own device which whatever accessibility settings you might have. You can also find accessibility information on the app and can look at the information about their items even when you are not at the library.
Accessible facilities: Seating at regular intervals
Parking & Transport
Average
I travelled to this place by walk or wheel
There is a disabled parking bay in front of the museum on the other side of the street and general on-street parking. The train station is a 0.2-mile/5-minute walk or wheel away. The car park on the far side of the cathedral is a 0.2-mile/4-minute walk or wheel away.
Accessible facilities: Public or on street parking
Accessible Toilets
There are no toilets at this venue.
Staff
Excellent
The volunteers were lovely and did their best to accommodate me, even with an unusual request like asking for somewhere to lock up my wheelchair downstairs.
