We aim to make everyone who comes to St Mary’s Cathedral feel welcome.  We hope that the following information is of use.  Please ask us any questions, or let us know if there is anything else we can do to facilitate your visit.

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Physical Access

• Two entrances to St Mary’s Cathedral are wheelchair accessible: there is a shallow stone slope up to the main West door on Palmerston Place, and there is level access for larger wheelchairs via the North door.

• Most areas within the Cathedral are wheelchair accessible via permanent or moveable ramps, but not the High Altar area (up 2 steps), the Lady Chapel (up 2 steps), the toilets (down 3 steps) or Chapter House (down 3 steps and then up one step).  Access may periodically be restricted by internal works – if in doubt please check in advance.

• If attending an event, please contact the Cathedral Office (0131 225 6293 or office@cathedral.net) in advance if possible, so that we can best accommodate your requirements.

• An accessible toilet is available in the nearby Walpole Hall; please contact the Verger if you would like the hall to be opened for you.

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Accessible Toilet (Walpole Hall)

• Our accessible toilet has a doorway width of 90cm, the door opens outwards (towards you) with a lever handle on the left hand side, and the light will turn on automatically. 

• Inside, there is a swivel lock below the handle.  From the doorway to the back wall measures 180cm and the toilet is 125cm from the doorway against the wall on the left when you enter.  The left side of the toilet is against a wall, so wheelchair users will need to transfer from the left side of their chair to the right side of the toilet.  There are arm rests on either side of the toilet and against the wall above the sink.

• The sink is against the back wall, approximately 20 cm from the toilet.  It is low down and uses a levered tap.  Paper towels are available on a ledge to the left of the sink.

• There is a sanitary disposal unit against the wall between the entrance and the toilet.

• There is an emergency cord from the ceiling between the sink and the toilet.

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Other information

• For anyone unable to sit in an upright chair, there is a sofa at the back of the South aisle (to your right on entering via the main West doors).

• Although there are suggestions in orders of service and customs/traditions regarding standing, sitting, kneeling for particular parts of the liturgy, you are welcome to sit, stand or kneel at any point as feels most comfortable.

• Our PA system includes a hearing loop.

• Large print hymn books are available and large print service booklets are provided for the 10:30am Sunday Cathedral Eucharist. Please ask if you require other printed information to be enlarged.

• Gluten-free wafers are available at all our Eucharist (Communion) services. If you are visiting and require a gluten-free wafer, please mention this beforehand, except on Sundays at 10.30 when the service booklet will indicate where gluten-free wafers will be administered.

• A low table and small chairs are available in the Library (immediately to the right on entering via the main West doors) along with children’s books, paper, children’s Communion colouring books, pencils and crayons. These can be used by visitors and also during services.

• We are working to increase our dementia friendliness.