Visit us

Talbot Rice Gallery
The University of Edinburgh
Old College, South Bridge,
Edinburgh, EH8 9YL

Opening times

Tuesday - Saturday, 10am-5pm
Last entry 4:45pm
Admission Free
Festive closure from Sunday 21 December 2025
Reopening Tuesday 6 January 2026

Access resources

Visual Storyboard

Download Guide

Sensory Map

Download Guide

Get in touch with us

Access

Our main entrance is on the second floor and is accessible via two flights of stairs. 

Lift Access

The lift is no longer working, and we are awaiting a replacement which is in progress.

We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and fully understand the disappointment it will create for many visitors.

The University have prioritised the replacement, but it is a lengthy process. We sadly anticipate that this lift will remain inaccessible well into 2026.

If there is any way our team can help you to use the stairs, please call us on 0131 650 2210. If you would like personal notifications about the progress, please email info.talbotrice@ed.ac.uk

Please bear with us as the University ensures that Talbot Rice Gallery will be fully accessible in the future, for everyone.

Borrowing wheelchairs & seating
A wheelchair is available on request, which can currently be used on the main level, with access to the Georgian Gallery via stair lift.

Portable folding chairs are available at reception on request. 

Please ask at the welcome desk or email: info.talbotrice@ed.ac.uk

Assistance Animals
Guide dogs, hearing and registered assistance dogs are welcome.

Staff can provide a bowl of water - please ask at the reception desk.

Parking
Free parking for Badge holders is available on Chambers Street for an unlimited period. Spaces are available on a first come, first served basis.

Toilets and baby care facilities
There is one accessible toilet which also has baby changing facilities.

Separate mens’ and ladies’ toilet facilities are also available.

The gallery actively supports transgender, non-binary and gender-non conforming visitors and staff in their right to use our facilities without facing discrimination. If you experience behaviour which makes you feel uncomfortable when using our facilities, please let a member of staff know.

Blind & partially sighted visitors
A large print guide is available for every exhibition and can be collected from the welcome desk. 

If you require any additional assistance, please ask a volunteer or member of staff during your visit. 

Deaf and hard of hearing visitors

Transcripts are available for all video and sound artworks containing dialogue. 

If you lipread, please make this known at the welcome desk so we can take this into account when communicating.

A British Sign Language welcome video is available at our welcome desk and on our website here.

It is our aim to make Talbot Rice Gallery a space that is open and accessible to all. Whilst the design of our 19th Century building poses certain challenges, we are constantly reviewing and revising how we can make the gallery a safe and welcoming place for all our visitors.

Safety Measures

Upon entry to the gallery, you will be met by a friendly volunteer at our welcome desk

  • We ask that you do not bring drinks into the gallery.
  • We ask that you do not bring large bags or backpacks as we are unable to store them securely for you at the gallery.

     

How to get here

Using public transport
The following buses stop on South Bridge (2 minutes walk to the Gallery):
3, 5, 7, 8, 14, 29, 30, 31, 33, 35, 45, 49, 51, 52, N3, N30, N37, X29, X62, X95

The following buses stop on George IV Bridge (2 minutes walk to the Gallery):
23, 27, 29. 41, 42, 67

We are a 15 minute walk from Waverley Station and a 25 minute walk from the Edinburgh Bus Station.

By bicycle
Cycling is recommended as an alternative mode of transport. There are spaces around Old College to lock your bike to when visiting us.

By car
There is limited paid street parking around the Gallery.

By taxi
The taxi drop off point is the Old College entrance way on West College Street.