Edinburgh Royal Mile in August

The Fringe Festival officially begins on August 4 this year and I have heard that the Royal Mile is closed to vehicle traffic during the Festival.

We are arriving in South Queensferry on the Caribbean Princess on August 2, just prior to the Festival. Can anyone tell me if we will be able to get a taxi all the way to the Castle on that day?

Also, will there be taxis that can accommodate 6 passengers available at the pier in South Queensferry or should be pre-book a vehicle through a local service?

Thanks!

Bonnie

I would recommend pre booking a service. Certainly in the hour or more prior to the first tattoo the road up to the castle is more or less full of people, I don't know how close to the castle a taxi can get but as there will be people in wheelchairs attending I would guess there must be some provision. I would contact the tattoo office and ask their advice if you have people in your party who have special needs. You can get a vehicle pass for people with disabled tickets I believe which will get your taxi through. See their website for more info.

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Vehicles that are transporting disabled people to the Tattoo need to apply for an access part prior to the performance, and these are unavailable on Saturdays.

https://www.edintattoo.co.uk/tickets/accessibility/

An ordinary taxi will not be able to get close to the castle at all, when the Tattoo is on. The Fringe starts at the dates as the Tattoo but earlier in the day.

This image will give you an idea of what access to the Esplanade is like.

https://www.edintattoo.co.uk/tickets/queuing-arrangements

You are there a couple of days before the start dates, but with the increase in security for any event after recent events, what access will be like at the time who knows?

Thank you for the response.

We are not attending the Tattoo since we will be there only for the day on August 2. We have already arranged for the mobility vehicle at the Castle, but not being able to take a taxi up at least as far as the Esplanade would pose a serious problem for one mobility-impaired member of our group.

Bonnie

I think earlier in the day we'll before the tattoo a taxi would be able to take people up to near the castle gates, local taxi and tour companies would know, but as a previous person has mentioned, in the present situation things may change about vehicle access to the Royal mile. I would guess that access as far as the Hub at least would have to be kept open but who knows really. I would really recommend booking a tour or taxi service for people with special needs, the crowds in the old town particularly the Royal Mile can be quite difficult combined with cobbles and narrow pavements. There are even more tourists this year, presumably due to the low pound.

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During the day, certainly in previous years transport has been allowed up as far as the junction of Castlehill and Johnstone Terrace which is over 100 yards from the castle. The whole of the Esplanade is taken up with the seating for the Tattoo. There is a page on the Edinburgh Castle website for disabled visitors and this explains how to get around. It is of course a very old building and not designed in the days when accessibility was a priority! You will also find queues at every part of the castle.

https://www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk/visit/access-for-all

The area between North Bridge and George IV Bridge along the Royal Mile is also pedestrianised during August and during the festival and Fringe the Royal Mile is exceptionally busy. Even for the most able bodied it can be hard to make your way through the crowds. This is where the majority of street entertainers perform and also where the various acts on the Fringe are promoting their show.

There are taxis for 6 available at SQ but I would strongly advise you book in advance because there is huge demand. I have posted previously details of companies that accept pre-booking. There's http://www.ecph.cab or http://www.capitalcarsscotland.co.uk. There's also a local company based on SQ I know - http://www.dalmenycars.com