Gynna

In the past, we have received wonderful assistance from members of the Fodors community with very useful information, making our travels much easier and more enjoyable.

Next April/May we will be enjoying a 5 week trip to Europe, visiting some of our favorite places and adding a few new ones. Will start my topics with help in Edinburgh as we have never had an opportunity to visit.

We will spend 7 nights in London where we have visited many times and take the train to Edinburgh for 4 nights.

I have spent a great ammount of time looking at lodgings and have not found a wheelchair accessible B&B, which does not come as much of a suprise. Anyone know of a wheelchair accessible B&B in the city area as we are relying on walking/rolling and taxis?

Now I started looking at hotels which say they are wheelchair accessible, but will need to speak with them directly after I have a few more ideas. We would like to spend no more than 150E per night (less is always better) and be in a central location.

So far I have come up with The George Hotel and ApexEdinburgh Waterloo. Any comments about these two hotels? More suggestion, please?

Thank you,
Gynna

janisj

Do you mean €150 or £150?

I would guess any of the Apex properties would be accessible, though you'd want to contact them to be sure.

Are you in a self propelled chair, motorized, or does someone push you? I love/adore Edinburgh, but much of it can be quite difficult for those w/ mobility issues.

Gynna

Hi janisj,
Euro or pound - good question.

I have been thinking in Euros, but should be looking at pounds (not sure how to make the symbols).

I will be pushing my husband in a manuel wheelchair, but always look to hire someone to push if the terain is challenging.

janisj

Not something I'd usually recommend, but in Edinburgh --mostly because of all the hills and uneven pavement, I'd consider a driver/guide who could take you around and help w/ the chair at some of the sites.

Like the Castle for instance --there is handicap parking right there, but then inside the castle itself there is a LOT of uphill walking. Luckily, starting from the Castle the Royal Mile is down hill all the way to the bottom/Holyrood. But it would be a bumpy ride. Except for right along Princes Street/Rose Street it seems one is always walking up or down hills.

I don't have a specific recommendation for a driver/guide - but I'll try to find a contact. The Tourist Information Centre may be able to connect you w/ someone.

A couple of locals post here - maybe one of them will see your thread and have ideas.

janisj

Just to be clear --I'm not trying to discourage you. You'll LOVE Edinburgh. It is just that there are some challenges.

Gynna

Thank you, janisj
We have had do hire a driver/guide while in Spain and Rome to make it easier on me who does the pushing. In both places we were able to see much more than we would have on our own.

We are never discouraged, only limited in some instances in what we can see/do.

I shall contact the TIC when we get a bit closer to the date, but would appriciate if you are able to find a contact.

Thank you!

janisj

Not a specific rec - but this site seems to have LOTS of useful info

http://www.sagetraveling.com/Edinburgh-Accessibility

mztery

you might look at 10 Hill Place - they are owned by the Royal College of Surgeons and many of the guests are families etc (but many are not) The have wheelchair access rooms, a lovely resto and great staff. We stayed there on our trip last year and were very pleased.

http://www.tenhillplace.com/

Gynna

janisj - Thank you greatly for the link to sage travel. This is one of the best I have seen in a while. We are a member of Tourism for All UK, but I have not yet contacted them.

mztery - Thank you for your suggestion. I sent an email last night asking about accessibility, but have not had a response yet. Is it a central location?

sheila

Try looking here

http://guide.visitscotland.com/vs/sc.../accoCrit.html

It's illegal to discriminate in the UK. Anything new will be accessible and big places will be accessible. B&Bs not so much