How the %!$& do I get around Scotland in a wheelchair?
An Atlanta girl's guide to navigating historic streets and buildings at the Glasgow School of Art with wheels & a dream
Welcome to Glasgow!
Streets buzzing with life, lined with Victorian buildings standing proud next to modern marvels; energy in the air, fueled by the warmth of its people, known for their friendliness and quick wit. Here, you'll find a blend of history and innovation at every corner. Explore the rich cultural tapestry woven through its museums, galleries, and theaters, or lose yourself in the rhythmic beats of its thriving music scene.
Every year, tens of thousands of international students make the trek to Scotland to study in this historic nation. This fall, I will be visiting the Glasgow School of Art to continue my architecture degree.
But wait! Isn't Scotland like really old and steep? I use a wheelchair! Can I get around all the cobblestones and hills and staircases?
The answer is YES! Glasgow is a welcoming place to all travelers, regardless of ability. In fact, nearly a quarter of Glasgow's population has a disability and the city has welcomed many a wheelchair-wielding tourist over the years. We'll just need to do a wee bit of preparation!
First, let's take a look at some pedestrian routes through the city starting at the Glasgow School of Art.
The maximum range on my chair's power assist is approximately 15 miles. Accounting for changes in slope, wandering, and giving myself power to get back home, I am limiting myself to a maximum outward distance of 5 miles.
This map shows the pedestrian walking paths of Glasgow in groups of 1, 3, and 5 mile groupings moving outward from the university.
Okay, looking good.
But of these streets, how do I know which to avoid?
Let's take a look at slopes around the city. A 5% slope is comfortable, and for most pedestrians, it may not even be noticeable. Using my own wheelchair specs, I can safely go up slopes up to 17%. These inclines are more challenging for pedestrians and wheelchair users alike, and will use up more power if you, like me, have got a battery to keep an eye on.
Swipe back and forth between these walking path maps to take a look at which paths are gently sloped, challengingly sloped, or should be avoided.
Take your time exploring the streets of Glasgow. If you have a destination in mind, use the search function in the upper right hand corner and check out the slopes along your route.
One last piece that would be helpful when navigating through the city is knowing the path surfaces. Unfortunately, this data is not complete for Glasgow yet, and there are many pedestrian paths left to be classified. Regardless, I have compiled here a map of available surface data. Cobblestones, sett, loose gravel, and unpaved areas would be safest for me to avoid on my travels.
What if we want to go a little farther than we can on our own? Luckily, Glasgow has a robust public transportation system. While the subway might be wise to avoid, as it only has two accessible stations, the bus system is well-equipped to handle wheelchair-using travelers. This map lays out each of the main bus routes through the city.
Now that we've got a better idea of how to get around the city, we're ready to embark on our adventures! Here is a tour of selected museums, architectural sights, and restaurants. Each stop was chosen for its accessibility for visitors with mobility-based disabilities. Every location has at least 4 stars on Euan's guide, a popular UK-based service for rating accessibility. In addition, each restaurant is chock-full of gluten free choices!