BEARSCOTFEST ACCESSIBILITY GUIDE – 2023

We want BearScotFest to be as accessible as possible!

Edinburgh is an ancient city built on a volcano, so many of its older venues are not particularly accessible. We are always looking for more accessible places and working with our current venues to help them make changes.
 
If anyone needs any extra help, please get in touch and we will make whatever changes we can to help.
 
Disabled guests may bring one male carer/PA if they require it, please get in touch to arrange this.
 
THE REGENT

• The Regent is not very accessible.
• There is a very small step into the venue
• The whole venue is on one level, including the toilets
• There is no accessible toilet in the venue

 
LEITH ARCHES

• Leith Arches are mostly accessible
• There is level access from the street (but there is rough pavement in front of the venue)
• The venue is over 2 floors, and there is no lift to the smaller upstairs space
• The ground floor is all level with  the main bar
• There is an accessible toilet on the ground floor

CC BLOOMS

• CC Blooms is not very accessible.
• There are 2 steps into the venue, but the door staff will install a removable ramp as required
• The venue is on two levels, the basement is not accessible
• There is no accessible toilet in the venue
• Registration desk and bear market are on the basement floor
• Registration can be completed on the ground floor for anyone who can’t come downstairs, please ask for assistance at the venue

 
THE CAVES

• The Caves are mostly accessible
• Note we use both the Caves and Rowan Tree for this night, and both spaces are level to each other
• There is level access from the street (but there are cobbles in this part of town)
• The venue is over 2 floors, and there is no lift to the smaller upstairs bar
• The ground floor is all level with ramps for the 3 main rooms and the main bar
• There is a small bottle bar on the ground floor that is down 2 stairs
• There are 2 accessible toilets on the ground floor

 
GHILLIE DHU

• The Ghillie Dhu is accessible
• There are 3 steps up to the main doors, but there is a removable ramp which will be in place
• There are 2 floors and a lift between them
• There is an accessible toilet on the ground floor
• There is a raised area in the downstairs bar with 2 steps up, otherwise the rest of the venue is level
• There will be a BSL interpreter at the venue for the cabaret

 
SATURDAY ADD-ON ACTIVITIES

 ANCIENT ROBOT GAMES CAFE

• The cafe is accessible
• There is level access from the street
• There is an accessible toilet on the ground floor

MARY KINGS CLOSE

• This attraction is not accessible
• There are 38 steps down into the underground streets 
• The underground streets are uneven

GLENOGLE POOL

• The venue is fully accessible
• Although over several floors there is level access and lift
• There is a hoist for access into the pool

 
CAFÉ PORTRAIT 
​(More info on their website)

• The venue is fully accessible
• There are stairs and a permanent ramp up to the main door
• Although over several floors there is level access and lift

 
WALKING TOUR
This is a walking tour of the old town and will not be easily accessible due to steps and curbs and the nature of the old city. If people with reduced mobility still wish to join this tour, we will make all required amendments to accommodate them