Access

We are committed to making Rosslyn Chapel as accessible as possible. The following information is provided to help visitors with disabilities get the most out of their visit.

Please be aware the Chapel is a 15th Century building, and therefore its historic nature prevents us from making all areas of it fully accessible.

Click on the button below to download this information in one document.

Download Access Document [7Mb]

We also have a "Visual Story" Autism guide.

Download the visual story document

New!

BSL and AD handheld tours available on request from the front desk.

Introduction

This access information was updated in March 2026 and should be read alongside the general visiting information on the Visit section of the website. Here we offer more specific information on access to help disabled visitors plan their trip.

We recommend that advance booking is made through this website for a visit.

If you have any questions or particular needs, please do not hesitate to ask a member of staff when you arrive and we will do our best to help.

You can post a review of Rosslyn Chapel's accessibility, or read other people's reviews, at www.EuansGuide.com

We look forward to welcoming you.

Location

Rosslyn Chapel is situated in the village of Roslin, about 7 miles from the centre of Edinburgh. At the end of the village's Main Street, look out for Chapel Loan, a short lane about 240m/264 yds from the nearest bus stop, which is outside the Original Rosslyn Inn.

For specific travel information, please read the Getting Here section.

Arrival

If driving to the Chapel, take the first entrance on the right to the main carpark. At the far end, there are five parking spaces for disabled drivers; these are around 55m/61yds from the entrance to the Visitor Centre.

There is a gradual upward slope from the car park to the visitor centre and benches just before you reach the entrance. Although it is not possible to park directly outside the Visitor Centre, a passenger can be dropped off and collected from here while the driver parks in the car park.

Taxis will usually drop visitors off just outside the Visitor Centre.

Visitors arriving by coach or minibus will normally come into the overflow carpark, which is 30m/32 yds from the Visitor Centre.

Visitor Centre

The Visitor Centre is a modern building, opened in 2012, and all on one level. The entrance has a glass sliding door, 87cm/35 inches wide, which will open as you approach.

The entry desk has a lowered section at the end and staff will direct you there if that is helpful. Disabled visitors pay our reduced admission charge and, if a carer or assistant is needed, that person can visit free of charge.

Please remember that only assistance dogs are allowed into the site and no other animals are allowed in the Visitor Centre, Chapel or Grounds.

Please ask at the desk about our handheld guides, with BSL and audio-described tours.

Take time to look round the Visitor Centre, which is full of information with interactive screens, story hoods and displays. There are seating areas throughout and there is one manual wheelchair, which can be borrowed on request.

Gift Shop

There is 120cm/47 inches clearance around all the shelving units so wheelchair users should be able to navigate around. Staff will help locate any out of reach items.

The counter has a lowered section 76cm/30 inches high.

Portable Induction loop available on request.

Coffee Shop

Our Coffee Shop is to the rear of the visitor centre. Food is ordered at the counter, but will be brought to your table by the staff.

There is a mix of chairs with arms and without arms. The tables have 70cm/27 inches clear height underneath.

The menu appears on a blackboard, and staff will read it out on request. Products suitable for vegan or gluten free visitors will be clearly marked.

Sensory backpacks

We have four sensory backpacks designed for children with ADHD and/or autism, which you can take around with you on your visit. Each backpack contains:

1x pair ear defenders

1x pair binoculars

1x magnifying glass

2x fidget toys

1x William the Cat soft toy

Laminated activity sheet with our top 5 things to find in the Chapel

If you want to use one of our sensory backpacks, just ask a member off the staff at the welcome desk when you arrive.

Toilets

There are five gender neutral toilets in the Visitor Centre and the first cubicle on the right is slightly wider than the others. There is an accessible toilet (door width 86cm), providing wheelchair access, and has a red alarm cord if help is required.

The lights will come on automatically when entering the cubicle and toilets have flashing lights to warn if the fire alarm is activated.

The Chapel

The main entrance to the Chapel is by the west door, 66cm/26 inches wide, in the Baptistery. There is a wooden ramp leading into the Chapel, which is largely on one level with one step leading into the Lady Chapel.

There are 26 steps leading down to the Sacristy. There ate two handrails but these steps are very steep and are not recommended for people with mobility problems. Photographs of the Sacristy can be shown to visitors who cannot access this area.

Please remember that in a building which is nearly 600 years old, the floors can be uneven.

In each timeslot, a Chapel Guide will give a short talk about the building's history and main features. The Guide will use a microphone , which connects to a hearing induction loop (some hearing aids have a T position for an induction loop). All visitors are welcome to sit on one of the pews for the talk or at any point during their visit.

Grounds

The grounds are laid with gravel, underneath which is a system called Cedagravel. This plastic honeycomb membrane is designed to hold the gravel in place, making it easier for users of wheelchairs, walkers and buggies to enjoy the exterior of the Chapel.

There are plenty of benches around the grounds for visitors to have a rest and enjoy looking at the building.

Visitors with assistance dogs can request water bowls for their dogs, and can be signed to a dog toilet area outwith the Chapel grounds.

You can post a review of Rosslyn Chapel's accessibility, or read other people's reviews, at www.EuansGuide.com