Venue Description

National Mining Museum Scotland is a 5 star visitor attraction set in the wonderfully restored Lady Victoria Colliery in Newtongrange. A visit to this award-winning museum is an absolute must! Visitors can retrace the footsteps of thousands of miners and their families who relied on the colliery to make a living. There are two major exhibitions, “The Story of Coal” and “A Race Apart”. Using interactive displays, reconstructions, sounds and visuals, visitors can find out exactly what life was like at work and at home for the men and their families who toiled so hard for Scotland’s “black diamonds”. A tour of the pithead, recreated underground roadway and coalface, with an ex-miner as your guide, gives the atmosphere and noise of a working pit – an experience which instantly makes you glad you’re not a miner! On the 1st Saturday of every month we offer "relaxed mornings" where you can experience a quieter visit. We have made a number of accessibility improvements including sensory site maps, improved audio tour on your own mobile device, sensory backpacks and more. Further information about access resources can be found on our website: https://www.nationalminingmuseum.com/visit/access-information/ The museum’s café offers a warm welcome, delicious coffee, lunch, freshly baked cakes and scones. There are also picnic areas and an outdoor play area where kids can let off some steam while parents relax close-by.

Accessibility

The museum offers access via a ramp from the car parking area to the front of the museum and level access into the first floor reception area. All floors of the museum are wheelchair accessible and have lifts. Our guided tours are fully accessible. Please note, however, that at this time there is no access for disabled visitors into the Winding Engine House. We have a small number of wheelchairs available for visitors' use. We have disabled bathrooms throughout the Museum, which include paper towels as well as hand dryers to help with sensory overload. We have a Visual Guide, Sensory Map and PECS Visual Sequence Guide available to download from our website before you visit and available in physical copies when you arrive. We have Sensory Backpacks available to borrow during your visit and ear defenders.

Accessibility Guide

Accessibility Guide Link: https://www.nationalminingmuseum.com/visit/access-information/

Access Statement

Access Statement Link: https://nationalminingmuseum.com/access-statement/

Awards List

Association of Scotland Visitor Attractions Disabled Confident Employer Living Wage Employer Young Persons Guarantee Volunteer Friendly Award

Toilets

Our accessible toilets are available on the each floor of the museum. They have step free access, wide access doors and grab rails.

Staff

All staff have undertaken "Welcoming SEND visitors to Museums" training and "Dementia Friendly Training". All staff are working through the Autism Friendly Award and "understanding autism" training resource.

Assistance dog facilities

Other assistance dog facilities

Assistance dogs are welcome everywhere on site, if using the outdoor space please keep dogs on a lead purely due to the nature of the site we need to insure your safety. The Café is dog friendly and has water bowls and other items for dogs to use.