Accessibility in The Scottish Borders
Back in the spring I had the great pleasure of hearing Paul Ralph speak. Paul is a specialist in inclusive tourism and a quite wonderful storyteller. He had me and a large conference audience totally rapt as he told us the difficult choices faced by disabled people each and every day. Things so many of us take for granted cause real dilemmas for disabled people, and Paul dedicates his life to ensuring access and inclusion is more than just buzzwords on a company website. Paul’s challenge for us at this tourism conference was not just do better because it is clearly the right thing to do - it’s also smart business for the visitor economy. 16 million people in the UK have a disability or impairment, with more than 70% of these disabilities being non-visible. The spending power of disabled people in this country is £274 billion per annum.
So, what could my small Tour Guiding business do to be more inclusive, and turn Paul’s inspiring words into positive action? Since hearing Paul speak in April I have been taking notes everywhere I have gone in The Borders, building up a network of routes and facilities which will work for disabled guests, ensuring a great tour in comfort and safety. I do not have a wheelchair accessible vehicle (yet!), but I want to do what I can at this stage of my businesses life to make sure I am thinking about all potential guests, and giving them the best experience possible. I can’t do everything for everyone, but why not try to make wee changes and change my perspective? Check out this blog for some of my observations, and recommendations…
Paths
Haylodge Park - Peebles
Start from Peebles High Street and cross the Tweed Bridge - admiring the ornate lamps and views towards Lee Pen on the way. At the south side of the bridge a signposted, shallow slope takes you to a paved riverside path. (Alternatively, if starting from Kingsmeadows Car Park you just follow the pavement up the hill until you see the sign for the step free path access.) Following this you will get a close up view of the cauld (an exciting feature of the new Tweed Valley Canoe Trail), and you’ll soon leave the noise of busy traffic behind, entering the park. Arrive at Fotheringham Bridge where step free access gets you on to the footbridge, paid for by a benevolent Peeblean. Follow the paved path upstream, passing the river fording used during Peebles Beltane and you arrive at the end of the park, with a view to ‘the dookits’, a popular swimming spot. The path loops round, back towards Fotheringham Bridge where you can cross and retrace the route back to town.
Parking - Kingsmeadows Car Park (Free), Peebles Swimming Pool (Small Charge)
Facilities - Disabled Toilets at Kingsmeadows (RADAR key required) and Peebles Swimming Pool (open to all during opening hours), Picnic Tables and benches are plentiful in Haylodge Park, Food options on Peebles High Street
The Haining - Selkirk
From the main town (West Port) car park you can join a hard packed gravel path, which will take you round the Haining Loch (with some short boardwalk sections) and gives stunning views of the elegant Georgian Villa, which is now owned in trust by the people of Selkirk. The loop is clearly signposted throughout, however it is worth noting that the access from the car park to the house itself is quite hilly. An alternative option is to park at the house and begin the loop from there. In recent years this route has been popular for the local Cycling Without Age Trishaw in the town, a wonderful initiative proving popular across Border towns. If you visit in the summer, it is also worth popping into Halliwells House Museum which can be accessed from Market Square or West Port (down a cobbled old close). The museum tells the story of Selkirk and has a lift for step free first floor access.
Parking - Selkirk Market Square Car Park (Free, 2 disabled bays), West Port Car Park (Free), Limited Parking at The Haining (Free)
Facilities - Disabled Toilets at Market Square Car Park (RADAR key required), Benches in The Haining, Cafes & Restuarants in Market Square
Haining Loch & House, Selkirk
St. Abb’s Head
Another blog, another recommendation for St. Abb’s! It’s such a special place, and despite the terrain being generally hard going underfoot, there is still really good provision for disabled people to enjoy the nature reserve and seabird haven. Two options stand out - firstly, from the National Trust wildlife centre, a good path runs alongside the road for a few hundred metres, before taking a sharp left, hugging a wall for another few hundred metres. You will then arrive at a seating bench and excellent viewpoint over Starney Bay and the dramatic cliffs. The same route will take you back to the car park, or turn left at the road to visit the fishing village itself, with lovely harbour and visitor centre. A second option is to continue past the National Trust Car Park and follow the road through the reserve to the parking areas overlooking Pettico Wick Bay, and the lighthouse. These parking spots are exclusively for disabled visitors, allowing them access to the heart of the dramatic headland.
Parking - National Trust Visitor Car Park (Disabled spaces), Additional Parking at Pettico Wick Bay and Lighthouse (Exclusive for disabled guests). A Small car park, with disabled bays can be found in the village.
Facilities - Disabled Toilets at The National Trust Nature Centre and the St Abbs Visitor Centre in the village. Seat at the Starney Bay viewpoint. Borders Pottery is an excellent social enterprise and cafe, next door to the Nature Centre, with seating area outside. Further cafe in the village.
Attractions
The Great Tapestry of Scotland
A first class visitor attraction in The Scottish Borders, with Scotland’s story told in one (magnificent, purpose built) room. Not only that, but fully accessible, welcoming space as befits a modern building of this sort. Look out for wee flourishes, such as the threads on the pedestrianised Channel Street, a visual clue (and potential aid), taking you towards the building. Step free access available throughout, and a very fine café. One visit won’t be enough - get a years pass, and drink in Scottish history in the most accessible, but in depth, way possible.
Parking - High Street Car Park (Disabled spaces), and one bay near the building on Sime Place. The Tapestry is also within easy distance of Galashiels Transport Interchange (see ‘Getting Here’) for more information.
Facilities - Disabled Toilets in the building. Hearing Loop installed throughout. The Tapestry also has a wheelchair available on site if needed. On site café (‘Stitchers’) and shop.
The Great Tapestry of Scotland, Galashiels
Glentress Forest - New Trails
I debated putting this in the path section, but the truth is that the new multi user trail at Glentress is so excellent that it really is an attraction, which will bring people to the area on its own merits. Several kilometres of of new trails, leading from the start point at the Glentress Gateway building to the new, graded taster trails, and eventually on to the well established, and accesible ‘Pond Trails’. The path is wide, hard packed and suitable for wheelchairs, prams, trishaw, walkers and any sort of bikes, including my hybrid cruiser! As it links to graded MTB trails, this is also excellent for adaptive mountain bikes. A wonderful way for EVERYONE to feel welcome at Glentress, to get in among the big pine trees and soak up the vibes.
Parking - Car Park (Disabled spaces - free parking, use Blue Badge details on car park machine when leaving).
Facilities - Disabled Toilets in Gateway and Cafe. Nice seating areas on multiuse path for anyone who needs them.
Credit: VisitScotland/Liam Moss
Abbotsford
Sir Walter Scott’s Abbotsford is a gem of a visitor attraction - and right up there for accessibility. A modern, accessible visitor centre welcomes you with a great shop, exhibition giving you an insight into Scott and his world, plus toilet and café facilities. Also on site is ‘Witch Corner’, a storytelling trail on hardpacked paths (one steep hill to negotiate - doon and back up!) which will appeal to kids in particular. Then there is the house, this has been made accessible at the front door and access is all on the ground floor. Excellent audio guide adds to the experience - ‘Sir Walter’ is great, but listen to both to get the full story. Scott is a fascinating character and the house gives you a glimpse into his world. Don’t miss the newly refurbished pavilion with a multi sensory experience in the stunning gardens.
Parking - Car Park (Disabled spaces).
Facilities - Disabled Toilets in Visitor Centre (downstairs) and Café upstairs (lift access). Hearing loops throughout visitor centre and House - with transcripts of audio guide available. Some very pleasant respite seating in the house, you’ll feel like a Laird ;)
Getting Here
Galashiels Transport Exchange
When Paul Ralph spoke about the gold standard for disabled facilities at the conference in April, I must confess I was surprised when he singled out Galashiels Transport Interchange. Why was I surprised? I was probably infected by the weird negativity/suspicion us Borderers seem to have about new infrastructure and attractions (see Great Tapestry and Borders Railway), but Paul was rightly passionate about how great this place is for disabled users, and I am keen to share this. The Transport Interchange was built to support the railways return, just under 10 years ago. It is step free, with a Changing Places toilet and makes travelling by public transport so much easier in The Borders.
Parking - Car Park nearby (Disabled spaces), Transport Exchange has trains from Edinburgh every 30 minutes and buses across The Borders, as well as to Berwick Upon Tweed and Carlisle. Borders Buses are the main users and you can view their accessibility policy here.
Facilities - Disabled Toilets and Changing Places Toilet (RADAR key required). Small Café in the Exchange. Information Desk with bus times and local info. Makes visiting the Great Tapestry and Galashiels town centre very straightforward. Hats off to the designers - lets bin the Borderers negativity, and try to see the world a wee bit differently :)
I hope you enjoyed this blog, and of course there are a number of other attractions, eateries and routes I could have included. Let me know of other places doing great things for accessibility and inclusion in The Borders, and I will add them to my list :)
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