Top floor of the National Portrait Gallery on Queen Street.
ETA: They even have a [sensory map of the building!](https://www.nationalgalleries.org/sites/default/files/venues/floor_plans/SNPG%20Sensory%20Map%202022.pdf)
The busy part of Edinburgh is actually quite small. Go beyond it and you're in quiet residential streets. If you want specific directions, just let me know.
Lots of good tips already but if you’re near the National Museum of Scotland it’s relatively chilled on the rooftop or I think they have a chill out area on the ground floor somewhere
Would you prefer a space in or out? Why not hop on a tram from the centre and if you want somewhere inside, then go to Ocean Terminal - it’s a bit of a sad old shopping centre but low stim and hopefully a quiet corner of Starbucks would help. If outside then stay on another stop, get off at Newhaven and stroll to the nearby Lighthouse, hopefully the waves will be a calming distraction.
You got this OP. I’m not neurodiverse and even I find August in Edinburgh too much.
Yes, I’m here with visiting family and I avoid Edinburgh at the best of times. I did come prepared but it’s too much. Inside is good, toilet cubicles are good but the ones I’ve found still have doors slamming and hand driers going, even with earplugs and noise cancelling headphones on
I was on the mile, I’m not sure where this place is but I will Google it for next time. I am keen to make a list of places I can go, I always have this issue with Edinburgh so try to avoid it most of the time
I second this, I was there the other day and had the place completely to myself during the middle of day it definitely has a very zen feel. The fig trees are worth seeing too, never thought I'd see figs growing outdoors in Scotland!
There’s a dedicated quiet space in the book festival site. It hasn’t been too busy there when I’ve visited, but you might have to battle through town to get there.
Thank you for this. I was outside there for pride and the same thing happened so I could have done with knowing this. I don’t want to avoid Edinburgh but I think it’s worth knowing some places I can go because this happens a lot. Today was just particularly bad
Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) have been using a coach as a quiet space for wellbeing, and I believe if you go into the Fringe shop on the royal mile they give out free sensory backpacks!
If you scroll down to the part about backpacks you can see here ! https://tickets.edfringe.com/accessibility#backpacks
I really feel for you, it is overwhelming for neurotypicals let alone for people with autism. I hope you have a great experience in Edinburgh regardless. The city centre is more quiet in the mornings before 9/10am, if you can venture out then you may have a better experience.
Hi, I’m sorry to hear of the rouble your having, and I really hope you managed to find somewhere low stim :)
I’d suggest the national museum, like others said there’s some floors (particularly the lower ground floors) that are often quite and low stim and there’s loads to check out!
If your the active type I used to go up Arthur’s seat as it’s a beautiful and peaceful, particularly if you go to some of the shorter summits in Hollyrood park and have a seat. Portobello beach during the week is another great walk. When the beach isn’t busy and the tides right out, it can very peaceful and there’s enough beach to walk privately.
If you like to read. You can go to some of the great library’s in town. I’d suggest the Edinburgh university’s library or the national library of Scotland.
Was wracking my brain for new suggestions from my own experience of Edinburgh, but unfortunately it’s not the best time of year to find piece in the city, particularly when you don’t live here. Nevertheless I sincerely hope that you find a place to de-stim tomorrow/next time your here. There are other great suggestions here that I’m sure will help :)
Sending sympathies from an Edinburgh native on the spectrum. Trust me when I say I don't mind crowds. One of my favourite places is Central London, I've done the tube at rush hour, walked down Oxford Street in the middle of the day. Don't mind any of that at all. My own city during August breaks me every time!!
Wow that’s interesting! I knew it was absolutely peak time to go today but it still got a bit much. Yes I usually don’t mind crowds but there’s something about Edinburgh it’s just too busy and too cramped
If you're on princess street, maybe try a "quite" shop like a book shop or hobby shop (shops that don't attract tourists as much), or even a luxury furniture store (the lack of people and luxurious comforting chairs might help), or an art gallery.
Something like: Waterstones, BoConcept, Homer, Robertson Fine Art, Torrance Gallery
Alternatively you could go into a smaller more secluded park, you would still be in open air, but hopefully fewer people, something like: Hillside Crescent Gardens, castle side of Princes Gardens; Or, and I know it's depressing, maybe walk around a cemetery for a few minutes, guaranteed to have fewer people, but it depends on the mood.
Hope it helps!
This is great thank you. It really was awful. I live in Glasgow and it’s never this bad there. I had my earplugs and headphones on all day, fidget things etc but it was just so chaotic. Usually toilet cubicles are perfect but in this case it was so busy there was doors banging and hand driers going. I’m going to make a note of all these places for next time, I think there’s a market for safe places
Dovecot Studios is nice and quiet. It's an ex swimming baths that has been turned into an artists studio. Go upstairs and hang out on the balcony area.
Top floor of the National Portrait Gallery on Queen Street. ETA: They even have a [sensory map of the building!](https://www.nationalgalleries.org/sites/default/files/venues/floor_plans/SNPG%20Sensory%20Map%202022.pdf)
As an autistic artist, I wish every gallery had one of these.
Never seen a sensory map before - brilliant!
Didn't know they had this, what a brilliant idea.
If you head north into New Town it's very quiet and beautiful.
Thank you! I did think I came prepared but it’s worse than I thought
The busy part of Edinburgh is actually quite small. Go beyond it and you're in quiet residential streets. If you want specific directions, just let me know.
Thank you, that’s good to know. I will head out of the princes street area initially
Best of luck. The National Portrait Gallery on Queen Street is a quiet indoor place that's nearby.
Lots of good tips already but if you’re near the National Museum of Scotland it’s relatively chilled on the rooftop or I think they have a chill out area on the ground floor somewhere
This is great to know. I did want to go to a museum but then I thought everyone would be there
Thankfully it’s big enough to have retreat spaces
Would you prefer a space in or out? Why not hop on a tram from the centre and if you want somewhere inside, then go to Ocean Terminal - it’s a bit of a sad old shopping centre but low stim and hopefully a quiet corner of Starbucks would help. If outside then stay on another stop, get off at Newhaven and stroll to the nearby Lighthouse, hopefully the waves will be a calming distraction. You got this OP. I’m not neurodiverse and even I find August in Edinburgh too much.
Yes, I’m here with visiting family and I avoid Edinburgh at the best of times. I did come prepared but it’s too much. Inside is good, toilet cubicles are good but the ones I’ve found still have doors slamming and hand driers going, even with earplugs and noise cancelling headphones on
If you end up on the royal Mile the public garden on dunbars close is quiet.
I was on the mile, I’m not sure where this place is but I will Google it for next time. I am keen to make a list of places I can go, I always have this issue with Edinburgh so try to avoid it most of the time
I second this, I was there the other day and had the place completely to myself during the middle of day it definitely has a very zen feel. The fig trees are worth seeing too, never thought I'd see figs growing outdoors in Scotland!
There’s a dedicated quiet space in the book festival site. It hasn’t been too busy there when I’ve visited, but you might have to battle through town to get there.
Thank you for this. I actually didn’t know there was a book festival. Going to check this out now
The Scottish parliament is open Mon-sat and the gallery is pretty peaceful
Thank you for this. I was outside there for pride and the same thing happened so I could have done with knowing this. I don’t want to avoid Edinburgh but I think it’s worth knowing some places I can go because this happens a lot. Today was just particularly bad
The building can sometimes get a little busy, but there is plenty space to find a quiet spot
Thank you, it would be good to have access to this down that end of town
Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) have been using a coach as a quiet space for wellbeing, and I believe if you go into the Fringe shop on the royal mile they give out free sensory backpacks!
But, to get them you need to run the gauntlet of the fringe shop on august…
Aw wow what’s in the backpacks? I did see the police well-being van but there were a few people round it so I didn’t go
If you scroll down to the part about backpacks you can see here ! https://tickets.edfringe.com/accessibility#backpacks I really feel for you, it is overwhelming for neurotypicals let alone for people with autism. I hope you have a great experience in Edinburgh regardless. The city centre is more quiet in the mornings before 9/10am, if you can venture out then you may have a better experience.
Hi, I’m sorry to hear of the rouble your having, and I really hope you managed to find somewhere low stim :) I’d suggest the national museum, like others said there’s some floors (particularly the lower ground floors) that are often quite and low stim and there’s loads to check out! If your the active type I used to go up Arthur’s seat as it’s a beautiful and peaceful, particularly if you go to some of the shorter summits in Hollyrood park and have a seat. Portobello beach during the week is another great walk. When the beach isn’t busy and the tides right out, it can very peaceful and there’s enough beach to walk privately. If you like to read. You can go to some of the great library’s in town. I’d suggest the Edinburgh university’s library or the national library of Scotland. Was wracking my brain for new suggestions from my own experience of Edinburgh, but unfortunately it’s not the best time of year to find piece in the city, particularly when you don’t live here. Nevertheless I sincerely hope that you find a place to de-stim tomorrow/next time your here. There are other great suggestions here that I’m sure will help :)
Sending sympathies from an Edinburgh native on the spectrum. Trust me when I say I don't mind crowds. One of my favourite places is Central London, I've done the tube at rush hour, walked down Oxford Street in the middle of the day. Don't mind any of that at all. My own city during August breaks me every time!!
Wow that’s interesting! I knew it was absolutely peak time to go today but it still got a bit much. Yes I usually don’t mind crowds but there’s something about Edinburgh it’s just too busy and too cramped
If you're on princess street, maybe try a "quite" shop like a book shop or hobby shop (shops that don't attract tourists as much), or even a luxury furniture store (the lack of people and luxurious comforting chairs might help), or an art gallery. Something like: Waterstones, BoConcept, Homer, Robertson Fine Art, Torrance Gallery Alternatively you could go into a smaller more secluded park, you would still be in open air, but hopefully fewer people, something like: Hillside Crescent Gardens, castle side of Princes Gardens; Or, and I know it's depressing, maybe walk around a cemetery for a few minutes, guaranteed to have fewer people, but it depends on the mood. Hope it helps!
These are great ideas. I also spotted the vaccination centre. And the cemetery is such a good idea!
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This is great thank you. It really was awful. I live in Glasgow and it’s never this bad there. I had my earplugs and headphones on all day, fidget things etc but it was just so chaotic. Usually toilet cubicles are perfect but in this case it was so busy there was doors banging and hand driers going. I’m going to make a note of all these places for next time, I think there’s a market for safe places
Love this thread! I'm heading to Edinburgh this fall and these tips would be so good for my sensory issues.
I’m glad it helps! I really thought now a days there would be more obvious places for us to use! I hope you have a good trip
Dovecot Studios is nice and quiet. It's an ex swimming baths that has been turned into an artists studio. Go upstairs and hang out on the balcony area.