Accessible Britain

143 Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh
Address: Holyrood Road EH8 8AS Web: www.dynamicearth.co.uk Tel: 0131 5507800 Hours: April–June,
Sept & Oct daily 10am–5.30pm; Nov–Mar Wed–Sun 10am–5.30pm; July & Aug daily 10am–6pm (last
entry 90 mins before closing) Dates: check website for seasonal closures and variations to opening times
Entry: [D]£12 [C]free [A]£12 [3–15s]£7.50 [under 3s] free [Con]£10.50
The shadow of the long extinct volcano Arthur’s Seat is an apt setting for a venue
offering a potted history of the planet. At Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh, complex and
varied scientific subjects are explained with ease and enthusiasm.
With clever use of video and sound, the descent in the “time machine” (in reality,
a highly accessible lift) transports visitors backwards from the present day, through
the history of time, to the formation of the universe. At the end of the short journey,
the doors of the time machine open out onto the bridge of a spaceship where huge
screens display Hubble Telescope images of the Big Bang. And from that point – going
forward through time – the story of the creation of our Earth and continents is told via
a series of vivid and spectacular 3D, 4D and tactile exhibits. In Restless Earth, the floor
shudders with the colossal force of an earthquake and the icebergs in Polar Extremes
are authentically chilly to touch. On the incredible 4DVENTURE expedition, you’ll be
guided by a CGI pilot on a flight from the Arctic to the tropical rainforest – it is such
a realistic experience that you’ll even feel G-force and sense your tummy roll during
turbulence.
Dynamic Earth’s glass-fronted, marquee-style, Millennium Dome-inspired
construction stands out from the Old Town buildings nearby and contrasts with the
futuristic Scottish Parliament building – it is well signposted and isn’t difficult to find.
The underground car park has numerous disabled bays and lift access to the entrance
level. Wheelchair users and their friends and family are able to stay together throughout
– seeing and touching all the exhibits from the same angles. This is an inclusive, multisensory,
seamless experience – a triumph of accessibility.
FOOD & DRINK aa The bright, clean and spacious Food Chain Café has identical adult and
child menus, serving a decent selection of meals for different times of the day, from a
range of excellent coffees and muffins to meatballs and chips. There is a range of daily
specials and meal deals are available in the café section.
SCOTLAND
144–145 Scottish National Gallery and Scottish
National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh
Address: 1 The Mound EH2 2EL Website: www.nationalgalleries.org Tel: 0131 6246200; parking 0131
6246550 Hours: Mon–Wed & Fri–Sun 10am–5pm, Thu 10am–7pm Dates: closed 25–26 Dec Entry:
free, except for some major exhibitions (see website)
165