Accessibility information

Help with access

Our dedicated Access Officer can help with any specific needs for your visit and answer questions. Please contact access@edbookfest.co.uk.

Braille, audio and large print

Contact us on: 0131 718 5666 or mailinglist@edbookfest.co.uk and we will do our best to get you the brochure in the format you need.

Pay What You Can for events

Some events at the Book Festival, including all livestreamed events, are Pay What You Can. Pay any amount to watch, taking into consideration what you can afford to spend. This pricing helps make the Book Festival accessible to those with limited means. A standard priced ticket is £15.50 for adult events and £5 for children’s events, but paying more for your ticket helps us to continue to offer Pay What You Can pricing and supports those who need it most.

Sound enhancement in theatres

Infrared and audio induction loop systems are available in our theatres at Edinburgh Futures Institute and McEwan Hall. Please ask at the Box Office to collect your headset.

Wheelchair access

The Book Festival’s site and venues are fully wheelchair accessible. We have wheelchairs you can borrow. Please call our Box Office on 0345 373 5888 or email boxoffice@edbookfest.co.uk when you book your tickets if you require assistance. See below for wheelchair seating requests.

Seating requests

Tickets purchased as disabled concessions do not automatically have an accessible seat or space reserved. If you use a wheelchair or you need to sit in a specific area (aisle, for example) please let the Box Office know as soon as possible when you book, or at least two days before your event. Please do this even if you book a disabled concession ticket. We want to ensure the most accessible seats are available for those who need them, so due to space and demand we cannot also reserve seats for others in your group.

Companion tickets

If you need a support person or aide to attend events they are entitled to a free companion ticket. Contact the Box Office on 0345 373 5888 or email boxoffice@edbookfest.co.uk as soon as possible after booking your ticket. Free companion tickets cannot be booked online. For popular events or on the first day of bookings, we recommend purchasing an extra ticket for your companion, then contacting the Box Office for reimbursement.

Captioned and BSL interpreted events

A selection of events, both in-person and livestreamed, are scheduled with live-captioning or a BSL interpreter. Look for the tag under each event in the brochure or visit this page for the full list. When an event states it is captioned or BSL interpreted, it means both the livestream of the event (if there is one) and the in-person event will offer these services.

BSL on request

You can request a BSL interpreter for any event in the programme. Given demands on their time, please do let us know as soon as you have booked tickets. If we are unable to fulfil a request we will refund or exchange your tickets.

How it works

- Buy tickets to the event you want to see in the usual way.
- Email bsl@edbookfest.co.uk or phone 0345 373 5888 to request an interpreter.
- We will process requests weekly in July and make arrangements with our BSL interpreters before confirming your request.
- We cannot accept requests after Friday 26 July. If we are unable to fulfil a request we will refund or exchange your tickets.

Toilets

We have toilets for everyone, including gender neutral toilets, a wheelchair accessible toilet and a fully accessible Changing Places toilet, complete with a hoist and changing table (please provide your own sling).

Assistance dogs

Assistance dogs are welcome. Please let the Box Office know at least a day before your event so we can make sure you are seated somewhere suitable.

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower

Wearing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower discreetly indicates to our trained staff that you may need additional support or help as you navigate the Book Festival site and attend events. Lanyards are available at the entrance.

Quiet space

There’s a lot to see and do at the Festival, and sometimes you might want to take a moment to yourself if it all feels a bit much. For those who would like to step away from the hubbub of the main areas, we will have a dedicated Quiet Space where you can take the time and space you need – look out for the signs on site or ask a staff member for directions.

Accessible parking

There are no parking spaces at Edinburgh Futures Institute, however there is a Q-Park close by with 10 accessible spaces. For a map of City of Edinburgh Council parking bays, including three Blue Badge spaces on Simpson Loan, see here.

Travelling between venues

The 2024 Book Festival takes place at Edinburgh Futures Institute at 1 Lauriston Place. The building is 150m end-to-end. The McEwan Hall, where our The Front List events take place, is 250m from the Edinburgh Futures Institute, and Elliot's Food Studio, where our Table Talk events take place, is 1150m away. As these areas will be extremely busy, we advise leaving much more time for your journey than you usually would to ensure you arrive on time.

Accessibility at the Book Festival is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.