Access Programmes
Visually Impaired Programme
The National Galleries offers a regular and varied programme of touch tours, descriptive tours and practical workshops led by one of Scotland’s foremost artist-educators for blind and visually impaired visitors, Juliana Capes. The Visually Impaired Programme is funded by the Agnes H Hunter Trust and the RS Macdonald Trust.
We warmly welcome new participants to our monthly sessions.
For more information, or to sign up to our VI Programme mailing list contact Meg Faragher, 0131 624 6428, communities@nationalgalleries.org
To book a place, please contact the information desk at the National Gallery of Scotland in person, or call 0131 624 6560
Hearing Impaired Programme
Artist Tessa Asquith-Lamb has considerable experience delivering tours to visitors with hearing loss. Tessa leads a monthly tour around the Galleries’ exhibitions with personal hearing loops available for visitors who take part.
To book a place, please contact the information desk at the National Gallery of Scotland in person, or call 0131 624 6560
Portable hearing loops for talks and lectures in the Hawthornden Lecture Theatre are available on request at the entrance of the lecture theatre.
Pay us a visit
We offer a fixed number of free artist-led tours for community access groups who wish to visit the Scottish National Portrait Gallery or special exhibitions across the National Galleries.
Community access groups may also book a self-guided visit and explore the National Galleries of Scotland under their own steam. Free entry to special exhibitions can be arranged.
For more information, please contact Meg Faragher, 0131 624 6428, communities@nationalgalleries.org
Memories are Made of This: Programmes for older people at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery
Reminiscence
A regular programme of themed reminiscence sessions for older people including those with Dementia, inspired by the collections at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. These flexible sessions comprise a gallery tour and the chance to explore our resource boxes. Over a cup of tea and refreshments, participants are invited to share memories and socialise in a relaxing environment.
The Social
Regular social events such as tea dances, concerts or quizzes for older people linked to themes within the collections.
For more information, please contact Meg Faragher, 0131 624 6428, communities@nationalgalleries.org
ARTLINK
Artlink supports the right of access to the arts for people who experience disability. Artlink runs a service enabling people with disabilities resident in Edinburgh and the Lothians to visit arts venues in the city. Please note that there is a waiting list for this service.
To register, telephone 0131 229 3555.
