44 Accessible Edinburgh: A Festival Guide Sights 45

Sights

Edinburgh Castle / © VisitScotland/Kenny Lam

A

Accessible Edinburgh: A Festival Guide

Edinburgh Waverley

http://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk; 134 Corstorphine Rd; adult/child

£19/14.55; 9am-6pm Apr-Sep, to 5pm Oct & Mar, to 4.30pm

Nov-Feb

Opened in 1913, Edinburgh Zoo is one of the world’s leading

conservation zoos. Edinburgh’s captive breeding program has

helped save many endangered species, including Siberian tigers,

pygmy hippos and red pandas. The main attractions are the two

giant pandas, Tian Tian and Yang Guang, who arrived in Decem-

ber 2011; the penguin parade (the zoo’s penguins go for a walk

every day at 2.15pm); and the sea lion training session (daily at

11.15am).

The zoo is 2.5 miles west of the city centre; take Lothian Bus

12, 26 or 31, First Bus 16, 18, 80 or 86, or the Airlink Bus 100

westbound from Princes St.

Wheelchairs are available for loan, and there’s mobility ve-

hicle available for wheelchair users and visitors with restricted

mobility. The hilly location means that there are steep slopes

and steps along some routes. Assistance dogs are only allowed

if accredited and in certain areas. There are several spacious ac-

cessible toilets throughout the zoo, but none with a hoist. Carers

are allowed entry free of charge. For further details about acces-

sibility at the zoo, including a downloadable accessibility map,

visit http://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/plan-your-visit/day-planner/visi-

tors-with-disabilities/.

Holyrood

Facing the imposing royal palace of Holyroodhouse at the foot

of the Royal Mile, a once near-derelict district has been trans-

formed by the construction of the Scottish Parliament Building.

Holyrood Park, a former hunting ground of Scottish monarchs

centred on the miniature mountain of Arthur’s Seat, allows Edin-

burghers to enjoy a little bit of wilderness in the heart of the city.

One of Edinburgh’s oldest sights – 12th-century Holyrood Abbey

• and one of its newest – the 2004 Scottish Parliament Building


• lie next to each other at the foot of the Royal Mile, along with a
  cluster of other attractions all within a short stroll of each other.
  Above them rise the russet rocks of Salisbury Crags and the hill
  of Arthur’s Seat, a superb viewpoint that can be hiked to from
  Holyrood in about 30 to 45 minutes.
  The Palace of Holyroodhouse can get very busy during the
  main part of the day – visit early or late to avoid the worst of the