Towns and areas around Edinburgh

Edinburgh is surrounded by the Lothians (East, Mid and West) and is close to parts of Fife across the Firth of Forth. Nearby towns, suburbs and villages include:

Within or on the edge of Edinburgh:

• Leith
• Portobello
• Corstorphine
• Cramond
• Currie / Balerno
• Juniper Green
• Craigmillar

East Lothian (east of Edinburgh):

• Musselburgh (closest major town, ~6 miles)
• Prestonpans / Tranent
• Haddington
• Gullane
• North Berwick
• Dunbar

Midlothian (south/southeast):

• Dalkeith
• Bonnyrigg
• Loanhead
• Penicuik
• Roslin
• Lasswade

West Lothian (west):

• Livingston (larger new town)
• Linlithgow
• Broxburn / Uphall
• Kirkliston / Ratho

Fife (north, across the Forth bridges):

• South Queensferry (on the Edinburgh side)
• Inverkeithing
• Dunfermline
• Burntisland
• Kirkcaldy

These places are typically 5–30+ miles from central Edinburgh, with good road, bus and (in many cases) rail links.

Wheelchair access and mobility support in the Edinburgh area

Edinburgh and the surrounding Lothians have relatively strong accessibility provisions, though the city’s hilly topography and some older buildings/stations create challenges. Public transport is generally well adapted.

Buses (Lothian Buses and others) All Lothian Buses have at least one designated wheelchair space (some have two), low floors and boarding ramps. Spaces accommodate standard manual or powered wheelchairs (max roughly 0.7 m wide × 1.2 m long × 1.35 m high). Drivers receive disability awareness training. Audio/visual next-stop announcements and priority seating are standard. A Thistle Assistance Card can discreetly alert drivers to extra needs. Supported Journeys help build confidence for new wheelchair users.

Trams Edinburgh Trams (Airport to Newhaven via the city centre and Leith) are fully wheelchair-accessible. All platforms have level or ramped access; trams have dedicated wheelchair/mobility scooter spaces (two per tram), high-visibility handrails and Braille-marked buttons.

Taxis Edinburgh’s licensed black-cab (hackney) fleet is fully wheelchair-accessible by policy (all vehicles must be). Major operators such as Central Taxis and City Cabs provide trained drivers and ramps. Private-hire vehicles are less consistently accessible. A Taxicard scheme offers discounted taxi travel for eligible disabled residents.

Community / door-to-door transport

• HcL Transport (Handicabs Lothian) operates Dial-a-Ride (flexible door-to-door, including wheelchairs, 7 days a week) and Dial-a-Bus services across Edinburgh and the Lothians. Vehicles have wheelchair lifts and can carry two wheelchair users.
• Other local community transport and volunteer schemes exist in Midlothian, East Lothian and West Lothian (e.g. Ring & Go demand-responsive taxis in some Midlothian areas).

Rail Edinburgh Waverley and Haymarket have step-free access, lifts and Changing Places toilets. Many nearby stations (e.g. Musselburgh – Category B1 with ramps; Livingston North/South; Linlithgow) offer step-free or ramped access, though some have limitations (check National Rail or ScotRail for the latest category and assistance). Passenger Assist can arrange help.

Other support

• National Entitlement Card (NEC) gives free bus travel for eligible disabled people and older residents across Scotland.
• Shopmobility and mobility-equipment hire/sales are available in Edinburgh and larger surrounding towns.
• Wheelchair-accessible vehicle (WAV) hire and sales (including home delivery) serve the area.
• Major attractions, the Scottish Parliament, many museums and newer developments have good step-free access, though historic sites (e.g. parts of Edinburgh Castle or older buildings in surrounding towns) may have restrictions or offer alternative routes/mobility assistance.

Practical notes by area

• Musselburgh, Dalkeith, Bonnyrigg, Livingston – Well connected by accessible buses and (where available) trains; community transport covers the wider Lothians.
• Coastal East Lothian (North Berwick, Dunbar, Gullane) – Good bus links; some stations and seafront paths are accessible, but check individual venues.
• Fife towns – Trains across the Forth Bridge generally have accessible options; local buses and taxis vary.
• Hilly streets in central Edinburgh and some older village centres can be challenging—planning downhill routes or using trams/buses helps.

For the latest details, contact Lothian Buses, Edinburgh Trams, HcL Transport, ScotRail Passenger Assist, or the relevant local council (City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian or West Lothian). Blue Badge parking is widely available, and many services accept or prioritise wheelchair users.