Highlands & Western Isles Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale

Wheelchair Access to the Real Ale Pubs

As promised – here are my comments regarding wheelchair access to the real ale pubs that I have visited in The Highlands (well, the ones can I remember anyway!).  There are a number of places where my memories are a bit vague – they are in italics in the table below and I will confirm the details in the summer.  I will make it my mission to visit as many real ale pubs as possible in The Highlands during my time in Nairn and I will report back the scores for the beers – and the accessibility.  Not a difficult task!

Key to the table below:

• Easy access - where there are no steps into the bar with an easily accessible door (normally a singe door wide enough for a wheelchair to pass through inconspicuously!)
• Adapted toilet – where the toilet area is easily accessible and there is at least one adapted cubicle i.e. a wide cubicle door (usually opening outward) with space to shut the door once you are inside; space for a wheelchair at side of the toilet and handrails alongside toilet.  In some cases I have stated when there is plenty of room in the loo
• Difficult door – this means it is a double opening door where one door is not wide enough.  The second door is invariably locked and so inconspicuous entry is not possible
• Toilet not adapted - where there is access into the toilet area but the cubicles have not been adapted

• Toilet not accessible – this is where the toilet area is completely inaccessible

We do however recognise that each person's ability to access a particular environment will depend upon a number of additional personal factors known only to that individual, and therefore inclusion on our website does not imply 'access for all', nor 'compliance' with the Disability Discrimination Act or other legislation.

Location	Pub	Details
Ardersier	The George	One step into bar.  A spacious adapted toilet is present – but it was used as a store room and was very inaccessible on recent visit
Aviemore	The Old Bridge Inn	Easy access into bar (need to check on loo – can’t remember! Will confirm in the soon!)
Badachro	Badachro Inn	Difficult steps into Inn
Brodie (A&NI)	The Old Mill	Easy access into bar.  Adapted toilet under construction.
Carbost, Isle of Skye	The Old Inn	Easy access to bar.  Toilet not accessible
Cawdor	The Cawdor Tavern	Easily accessed restaurant and bar with adapted toilet
Drumnadrochit	Benleva Hotel	Ramped entrance to bar. Toilet not accessible
Dulnain Bridge	Muckrach Lodge Hotel	Easy access to restaurant.  Hotel has adapted en suite toilet – need to confirm if adapted loo in public area
Gairloch	Old Inn	Easy access to bar.  Toilet not accessible
Gairloch	Steading Café and Restaurant	Easy Access and adapted loo
Inverness	The Castle Tavern	Large step at entrance.  Toilet has a ‘disabled loo’ sign on it – but it is down three steps so I am unable to check.
Inverness	Nico’s Bar	Easy access into ground floor restaurant area where they are willing to serve ale.  Bar down five steps but maybe accessible from patio area in summer.  Toilet not accessible
Inverness	Number 27	Level entrance through difficult door.  Adapted toilet
Inverness	Hootananny	Easy access to bar.  Adapted toilet
Inverness	Blackfriars	Easy access. Toilet not accessible, but landlord promises work on it soon (he’s started by labelling the door as ‘Disabled Toilet’ – which is a start!) November 2008 - No progress to date.
Inverness	Kings Highway	Easy access and adapted toilet
Kinlochewe	Kinlochewe Hotel	No access
Nairn	The Bandstand	One small step, wide door into bar. Male toilet now accessible (thank you!) with handrails being supplied soon.
Nairn	The Havelock Hotel	One large step to difficult door, but potential access from car park to same door, but avoiding step (could be blocked by cars) Toilet in bar not accessible but restaurant has adapted toilet with plenty of room
Nairn	The Classroom	Easy access to restaurant with adapted toilet
Nairn	The Seaforth Club	Up stairs – not accessible
Nairn	The Claymore House Hotel	Enter from the car park as this is paved and avoids the very difficult driveway.  Front door has two steps, but if you are accompanied your companion can arrange access via French doors into restaurant. Adapted Toilet.
Nairn	Invernairne Hotel	Steeply ramped entrance requiring assistance. Toilet not adapted (and bar closed at 8.30pm when I visited!)
Ullapool	Arch Inn	One small step to bar.  Adapted loo
Ullapool	Argyll Hotel	Easy Access to bar.  Toilet inaccessible
Ullapool	Caley Inn Bar	Flat access to bar through hotel and adapted loo. (One step to bar from street entrance)
Ullapool	Ferry Boat Inn	Very large step to door, with lip on top making even assisted access very difficult
Ullapool	Morefield Motel	Easy access to bar.  Fully adapted toilet
Ullapool	Seaforth Bar & Restaurant	Easy access to bar and adapted loo

 Seamus McArdle.