Accessibility at the Royal Highland Show

Accessible Tickets

Accessible Day Single – This ticket is your admission ticket and includes one complimentary companion ticket.

Please be aware that when booking tickets you will be asked to upload evidence for your purchase to be accepted. This includes a Blue Badge, PIP (Personal Independence Payment), Letter from a Medical Professional etc.

Accessible Parking – You can purchase Single Day, 2 Day or 4 Day Parking tickets. Please note a Blue Badge is required to gain entry to the Accessible Car Park.

Purchase tickets here

Accessible Platforms

We have two accessible platforms at The Royal Highland Show. One to view the Main Ring and one to view the Jubilee Ring.

Spaces on these platforms are on a first come first serve basis and you may be asked to show your accessible admission ticket on entry to the platform. As platforms have a limited capacity, these are strictly for access customers plus one companion.

The accessible platforms are uncovered so please dress appropriately for the Scottish weather. All platforms have ramp access.

Car Parking

There are two Accessible Car Parks; one at the East Entrance and one at the West Entrance. Follow Event Signage from the A8 then follow the specific Accessible Car Park Signage.

East Accessible Car Park

The car park is across the road from the East Entrance on uneven hard standing. The walk way to the East Entrance is via a dedicated pedestrian route on flat ground.

West Accessible Car Park

The car park is across the road from the West Entrance and is on grass. You will be able to see the West Entrance from the car park. The walk way is on grass and uneven track.  

If you are parked in the West car park out with the accessible car park, we have a shuttle bus in operation from 09.00-21.00 each day, going back and forward between the West Gate and the whole of the West car park. Please look for the bus stop signage around the car park.

Taxi Drop Off/Pick Up Point

There is a taxi drop off/pick up point right outside the East Entrance on Ingliston Road.

Public Transport

Bus Travel

Lothian Bus Service 98 runs frequent buses between Edinburgh City Centre, Haymarket Station and the Royal Highland Show East Entrance. Holders of a National Entitlement Card (Under 22s, Over 60s, Accessible Card Holders etc.) travel for free with their pass.

For all access information for travelling with Lothian Buses, click here.

For more information on the Service 98, click here.

There is a bus stop at the top of Ingliston Road outside the South Entrance that services the below buses –

Citylink - 900

McGill's Scotland East – 18, 20, 63, X24, X25

Stagecoach – 747

Lothian Buses - X18

Edinburgh Trams

The closest tram stop to The Royal Highland Centre is Ingliston Park and Ride. Ingliston Park and Ride is a 15-minute walk from our South Entrance or there is a fully accessible shuttle bus that goes back and forward from the tram stop and the East Entrance every 15 minutes between 07.00-21.00.

For all access information for travelling with Edinburgh Trams, click here.

Train Travel

The closest train stations are Edinburgh Gateway and Edinburgh Park. Lothian Buses Service 97 services both stations and drops off at the East Entrance of the Royal Highland Show.

For more information on the Service 97, click here.

Caravan Parks

We do not have any public caravan parks but do have some available for our key stakeholders.

We will have accessible toilet facilities available in most of the caravan parks and step-free showers in the event area. Please get in touch for more information.

The pamper units in all caravan parks will have 2-3 steps at the entrance. The caravan parks are located in grass fields and on uneven hard standing and in adverse weather conditions may become inaccessible for wheelchairs and scooters. There are no dedicated walkways between each caravan.

The caravan parks are external to the main event site. Traveling between the caravan parks and the event may require you to cross live roads with pavements that do not have dropped kerbs.

Toilets and Changing Places Facilities

All our permanent toilet blocks and main halls have accessible toilets. We also have various temporary accessible toilets at the event. For all toilet locations please download the RHS app.

We have two locations at the event where our toilets are gender-neutral. These are the ones in the Motor Zone and the ones beside the West Stage in the Lifestyle Village.

We have three changing place facilities at the event. Please see a list of facilities for each location.

Cattle Hall

Bench - Adult Sized

Hoist – Ceiling, Loop

Washbasin Fixed Height

Non-Slip Floor

Floor Space (sq. m) – 12m2 or larger

Emergency Alarm

Privacy Screen

Shower

Members Area

Changing Bench – Height Adjustable, Adult Sized, Wall Mounted

Hoist – Ceiling Track Hoist

Washbasin Fixed Height

Peninsular Toilet

Non-Slip Floor

Large Bin for Pads

Non-Slip Floor

Floor Space (sq. m) – 28

Shower

Avenue H

There is a full length hoist, a rise and fall change bed and a rise and fall sink.

Over the bed is a handheld thermostatic shower.

There is a fully compliant WC with associated grab rails etc.

Planning Your Visit

Although we don’t finalise competition and demonstration timetables until just before the Royal Highland Show, hopefully, the information below will still allow you to plan your time at the event.

We would recommend downloading our Royal Highland Show App which gives you an interactive map of the event and details the accessible facilities available

Timetables

Below are rough opening and closing times for our competition rings and demonstration areas.

Please note, all timings are subject to change.

Tradestands and Activations

Please be aware that some activities or activations through exhibitors are more accessible than others so we would advise speaking to the stand on the day for accessible information.

Most of the tradestands in the Agri Area allow children to climb up and have a go of sitting in the machines on their stand but this may not be accessible for everyone.

Assistance Dogs

Assistance dogs are welcome everywhere at the Royal Highland Show, but please be aware that some areas of the event can be densely populated by people and that animals can be unpredictable and may react to dogs in their presence.

Showground Terrain

The event takes place on a 110-acre showground. The majority of pathing is tarmac roads or boardwalks. Although, our trade stands and displays are also spread over grass areas.

The Showground is made up of a grid system for each avenue. This is shown on our RHS App, event programme and directional signage.

Showground Indoor Areas

Cattle Hall (Highland Hall)

This building is accessible by wide doors with a width of 1.79m. The public area to view the cattle is all on the ground floor.

There will be a strong animal smell and loud noises by the animals in this area.

The flooring is flat concrete but it may be covered in hay/straw which could make it inaccessible for wheelchairs, scooters or prams.

The Cattle Hall closes to the public at various times throughout the day when animals are moving between the Hall and the Showing Rings. Closure timings are displayed in the Main Foyer of the Cattle Hall.

You can view the Clydesdale Horses in the Central Hall via an indoor ramp from the Cattle Hall.

Scotland’s Larder (Lowland Hall)

This building is accessible by a lowered pavement and doors with a width of 1.66m. The doors do have a small lip on the floor but there are fire exits at the side of the building which would accommodate a wheelchair, scooter or prams.

This building is only one level. The walkway around the exhibition will be carpeted.

Scotland’s Larder and the avenue that leads to the hall are one of the busiest areas during the event.

Customer Service Areas

Our Box Offices and the Membership Office will have lowered counters and hearing loops.

Strobe Lighting

We have no strobe lighting at the Royal Highland Show.

Medical and Welfare Facilities

There is a medical center at the top of 13^th Avenue. For any medical requirements please speak to one of our safety stewards. Unfortunately, we cannot store any medication on behalf of customers, but we are working on being able to provide this service in the future.

There is a welfare area run by TLC Welfare on Avenue K. Welfare staff can help with anything from charging a phone or providing sun cream to giving you somewhere to rest away from the event.

Quiet Area

We have a Quiet Space next to the welfare area on Avenue K if you need some time out from the busy event. This area will have soft furnishings and fidget and sensory toys available to use in the area or borrow for your time at the event. There will also be ear defenders for children and adults available to borrow.

Opening Times – 10.00-18.00

Food & Drink Outlets

All bar and catering units that trade at the Royal Highland Show agree to value accessibility. Where possible they will try to have step-free access, lowered counters and large print or picture menus available. And their staff will be available for any assistance.

Seating Areas

We have seating areas in the Countryside Area, The Green Food Court, The Craft Food Court and East Food Court.

High Signage

We have been working hard to include high level signage throughout the event.

Animal Crossing Points

We have three animal crossing points around our Main Ring that are closed multiple times throughout the day to manage animals crossing to and from their stabling areas to the Main Ring.

When the crossings are closed, this stops all pedestrian travel around the area until the crossings open and causes large crowds to congregate. The crowds tend to stand at the barriers to watch the animals passing so if you want to avoid crowds we would suggest staying back from the barriers until the crossing is reopened.

Royal Highland Hoolie

The Royal Highland Hoolie is an outdoor standing event. The event and entrance lanes are located on grass with no concrete paving although there will be trackway in the accessible viewing area.

At the entrance lanes, there will be a dedicated Accessible Lane.

There are accessible toilets in the main event area and in the VIP area. There are no changing place facilities available inside the event, but we do have these facilities available in the venue should you need access to them.

There will be an accessible viewing area available for accessible customers. Spaces in this are on a first come first serve basis and you may be asked to show your accessible admission ticket on entry to the area. As the area has a limited capacity, wheelchair users will be given priority.

There will be a Kids Zone for families attending.

There is a seating area beside the catering units. This is at the back of the event, but you will still be able to see and hear the stage from this area.

There will be no strobe lighting at the event.

RHS TV

RHSTV will have closed captions when playing on any screens across the Royal Highland Show and on the videos on the RHS website after the event.

Clip my Horse will be operating a live stream from the Main Ring at the event but this will not have closed captions.

Distances (Metres)