Tag Archives: mobility

Attractions, Holidays, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Scooter’s Top 3 Accessible Hotels in Scotland

Quingo Scooters understand that when you’re thinking about your next holiday or weekend away, there are certain things to consider for you and your mobility scooter. You want somewhere that can cater for your needs, be accessible and most importantly be comfortable for a relaxing time away.

Scotland is an incredible location for a weekend getaway, so we’ve put together our top 5 accessible hotels for you to take a look at and maybe plan your next adventure!

QUINGO SCOOTER’S TOP 3 ACCESSIBLE HOTELS IN SCOTLAND 2

Crieff Hydro Hotel, Crieff

In the highland hills of Perthshire, you’ll find the stunning Crieff. A hub for tourism, the market town trades mainly on its whisky and cattle droving history. Every year the town hosts the Crieff Highland Games, which include music and dancing competitions – a great spectacle! The Crieff Hydro Hotel is a luxury Victorian style retreat, and is a great choice as it offers plenty of space and smooth paths. It has a fully accessible ground floor bedroom which includes an easy to use wet room. There is also lift access to all the other areas within the hotel. Tourist attractions nearby include the Caithness Glass visitor centre and Glenturret Distillery.

Millennium Hotel, Glasgow

If you’re looking for somewhere a little more busy and vibrant than the highlands, try out the city of Glasgow in Scotland’s western Lowlands. Known for its Victorian and art nouveau architecture, Glasgow a national cultural hub, home to the Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet and the National Theatre of Scotland. The Millennium hotel is right next to Queen Street station, and it couldn’t be more central to the city. The accessible room has plenty of space to move around, and the wet room is fully equipped with facilities such as handrails. On arrival, the hotel will also go through a PEEP (fire evacuation plan) with you so that you can feel completely comfortable and at ease throughout your stay.

Lamlash Bay Hotel, Lamlash

If what you had in mind was to spend some downtime in a quaint little village with a seafront, then Lamlash is the spot for you. The largest village by population on the Isle of Arran, Lamlash is 4 miles to the south of ferry port Brodick. The village is the perfect location for some relaxation where you can sit back, enjoy the shorefront and maybe spot a seal or two! The Lamlash Bay Hotel will place you right on that shorefront, and as its family run it gives you the warmest of welcomes. The Family Suites have their own entrance which has a ramp, large doorways and a fully accessible shower inside the wet room. The food and drink at the Lamlash Bay Hotel is also top notch, you chose from a variety of beers, ales and malts to accompany your stone baked pizza.        

QUINGO SCOOTER’S TOP 3 ACCESSIBLE HOTELS IN SCOTLAND 3

About Quingo Scooters

The Quingo Scooter range features six models to suit your needs and budget. New models are now available from just £22/week on our new contract hire scheme which includes all servicing and maintenance, Insurance, Roadside Recovery, Call Outs and Consumables including Batteries and Tyres. For more information on this or the latest Quingo Scooter range, please visit our website. Alternatively, if you have any Service questions you can always contact us or call customer services on 01582 430 900.

Keep up to date with the latest mobility scooter advice, tips and interesting places to visit on the Quingo Scooter Users Blog. Connect with Quingo and keep up to date with all our latest news on Facebook and Twitter.

All Quingo Personal Mobility Vehicles are provided by Forever Active, the UK’s exclusive distributor. Forever Active is a trading name of Advantage Marketing Corporation Limited (AMC).  AMC Limited is an appointed representative of First Senior Insurance Services Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. First Senior Insurance Services FSA Register number is 308478.

Accessible Routes, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Accessible Routes: Mills Pit and Common, Bedfordshire

Quingo Scooters know just how great it is to get outdoors and into the countryside, to get some fresh air and appreciate the fantastic scenery! In our Accessible Routes series, we’ll be sharing some routes for you to take on your mobility scooter, where you can spend a day in the great outdoors.

QUINGO ACCESSIBLE ROUTES: MILLS PIT AND COMMON, BEDFORDSHIRE 2

Arlesey, Bedfordshire

Arlesey is a large village in Bedfordshire, located near the border with Hertfordshire and about three miles north-west of Letchworth Garden City.  Through the mid twentieth century, Arlesey had a thriving brick making industry, with five brickworks operating around the town in 1900. Although the famous Arlesey White bricks are no longer produced there, you’ll find lakes in place of some of the old sites. The Blue Lagoon is now used for sailing, whilst the Green Lagoon is used for fishing.

Accessible Route

Name: Mills Pit and Common

Type of route: Circular, there and back

Distance: 1 mile

Gradient: A few ups and downs

Terrain: Medium

Facilities: Parking, Pub, Toilets, Café

This route is a great for when you fancy a nice short trip out. It’s circular with a few ups and downs but is a largely easy route that will take you along the banks of the River Hiz. The kissing gates and paths are both mobility scooter friendly.

QUINGO ACCESSIBLE ROUTES: MILLS PIT AND COMMON, BEDFORDSHIRE 3
Editorial credit: cj127Photography / Shutterstock.com

The route starts at the village hall, where you should leave the car park and turn left. You’ll then meet a multiple junction after about a quarter of a mile – this is the old site of the village pump. Interestingly, a replica of this can be found outside the village hall where the route starts and ends.

Here, you should turn right and head up the hill to the railway bridge. Immediately over the bridge, turn right and follow the track to the bottom of the hill and round to the left to the end of Mill Lane.

Follow the path through the kissing gate along the riverside path. Here you’ll find two disabled fishing points if that’s something you’re interested in. After that you’ll pass through another kissing gate, where the footpath finishes and you enter the Mill Pits Meadows. Follow this to the bridge and you’ll find a weir on the river where there are two accessible picnic tables. This is a site of one of the old mills, and the remains of the millrace can even be seen in the water.

This is a great opportunity to relax and take in the sights of the river and the wildlife. The river has an abundance of fish, and you may even see a Kingfisher flash past. When you’re ready to return to the village hall, simply go back the way you came.

About Quingo

The Quingo Scooter range features six models to suit your needs and budget. New models are now available from just £22/week on our new contract hire scheme which includes all servicing and maintenance, Insurance, Roadside Recovery, Call Outs and Consumables including Batteries and Tyres. For more information on this or the latest Quingo Scooter range, please visit our website. Alternatively, if you have any Service questions you can always contact us or call customer services on 01582 430 900.

Keep up to date with the latest mobility scooter advice, tips and interesting places to visit on the Quingo Scooter Users Blog. Connect with Quingo and keep up to date with all our latest news on Facebook and Twitter.

All Quingo Personal Mobility Vehicles are provided by Forever Active, the UK’s exclusive distributor. Forever Active is a trading name of Advantage Marketing Corporation Limited (AMC).  AMC Limited is an appointed representative of First Senior Insurance Services Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. First Senior Insurance Services FSA Register number is 308478.

Accessible Routes

Quingo Accessible Routes: Dodd Summit Trail – Keswick, Cumbria

Here at Quingo Scooters we know just how great it is to get outdoors and into the countryside, to get some fresh air and appreciate the fantastic scenery! In our new series, we’ll be sharing some accessible routes for you to take on your mobility scooter.

Keswick

In the heart of the Lake District National Park you’ll find Keswick, a northwest market town. Surrounded by mountains such as Skiddaw, the scenery is something to marvel at. The Cumberland Pencil Museum documents the history of pencils and the Keswick Museum & Art Gallery displays local artefacts. The vast Derwent Water lake is located at the south of the town, where you can enjoy boat tours and the Theatre by the Lake.

Accessible Route

Name: Dodd Summit Trail

Type of route: Circular

Distance: 4.5 miles

Gradient: Minimal

Terrain: Medium

Facilities: Toilets, Café

The Dodd Summit Trail gives fantastic panoramic views, which include those of Derwentwater, Bassenthwaite Lake, the Solway Coast and even the hills of Dumfries and Galloway. This trail passes through wooded slopes, an open hill and spectacular sights.

The walk starts at the car park, and is also the starting point for several other walks through this forest. All walks are described in a leaflet which is available at the Old Sawmill Tea Room.

It’s recommended to first make your way to the lower viewpoint, which is open every day between 10am and 5pm. From this viewpoint you’ll be able to catch some extraordinary views of the ospreys fishing over the lake, as well as the bold red squirrels. Here, there is also information provided by the staff and volunteers, including how to safely make your way to the upper viewpoint.

Half a mile from the lower viewpoint you’ll reach the higher viewpoint, which can be accessed via the forest. It will take around 30 minutes to make your way here, and there is a steady gradient involved. Again staffed by volunteers, this viewpoint too has optics available which give some amazing views of the new nest, which is only 400m away. Due to reasons of nest protection, the upper viewpoint is only open between 10.30am and 4.30pm daily.

High powered telescopes are provided on this walk, but it’s a good idea to bring your own binoculars if you want a better look at the ospreys fishing, sitting, feeding and washing.

If you require any additional information you can contact the Whinlatter Visitor Centre on 01768 77846.

About Quingo

The Quingo Scooter range features six models to suit your needs and budget. New models are now available from just £22/week on our new contract hire scheme which includes all servicing and maintenance, Insurance, Roadside Recovery, Call Outs and Consumables including Batteries and Tyres. For more information on this or the latest Quingo Scooter range, please visit our website. Alternatively, if you have any Service questions you can always contact us or call customer services on 01582 430 900.

Keep up to date with the latest mobility scooter advice, tips and interesting places to visit on the Quingo Scooter Users Blog. Connect with Quingo and keep up to date with all our latest news on Facebook and Twitter.

All Quingo Personal Mobility Vehicles are provided by Forever Active, the UK’s exclusive distributor. Forever Active is a trading name of Advantage Marketing Corporation Limited (AMC).  AMC Limited is an appointed representative of First Senior Insurance Services Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. First Senior Insurance Services FSA Register number is 308478.

Attractions, Days Out, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Accessible Attractions: Mercat Tours, Edinburgh

Quingo Scooters are always encouraging users to get out and about to visit interesting or unusual places on their mobility scooters, especially places that you didn’t think were accessible enough.

Over our series of blog posts we’ve been sharing with you some extremely accessible attractions to explore on your mobility scooter. Today we’re heading to Edinburgh for a lesson in history and ghosts.

QUINGO ACCESSIBLE ATTRACTIONS: MERCAT TOURS, EDINBURGH 2

Mercat Tours

Mercat Tours offer all kinds of different history walks and ghost tours from Edinburgh’s award winning storytellers. An absolute must if you’re visiting Edinburgh for a short or long getaway, these tours are sure to shed a whole new light on the city’s past whilst delivering a captivating story.

Mercat Tours have attained the ‘Investors in People’ recognition within five years of operating, and were named a Five Star tourist attraction by VisitScotland.

There are many tours available but these sometimes vary depending on the time of year.

If you’ve got a moderate to large sized group, Mercat Tours also offer private tours where you can explore and learn about everything from Edinburgh’s Old Town to the Blair Street Underground Vaults and more.

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Accessibility

Tours are sometimes looked upon as attractions that wouldn’t be considered too accessible. However, Mercat tours love welcoming mobility scooter users to Edinburgh, and they will go above and beyond to help you explore the city. That’s why there are many tours available, so that there is something for everyone. For example, The Royal Mile tour provides level access all the way, with a couple of dropped kerbs. You will have no problem getting around and seeing everything there is to see.

If you need to use an accessible toilet, the tour guide will make you aware of where the nearest ones are and they will make time in the tour should these be required.

To make it as easy as possible to understand what the tours involve before you book, Mercat Tours has developed an access statement. The company have many videos on it’s website which enable you to see detailed information such as the tour routes, buildings visited and facilities available. The team are always happy to chat to you if you require any additional help too.

Share your accessible attraction with Quingo!                

If you’ve been to visit any great accessible places on your Quingo or would like us to write about a particular place you have visited, we’d be delighted to hear from you! You can email your stories, recommendations and pictures by filling out the contact form on our website and we’ll feature them on our blog.

About Quingo

The Quingo Scooter range features six models to suit your needs and budget. New models are now available from just £22/week on our new contract hire scheme which includes all servicing and maintenance, Insurance, Roadside Recovery, Call Outs and Consumables including Batteries and Tyres. For more information on this or the latest Quingo Scooter range, please visit our website. Alternatively, if you have any Service questions you can always contact us or call customer services on 01582 430 900.

Keep up to date with the latest mobility scooter advice, tips and interesting places to visit on the Quingo Scooter Users Blog. Connect with Quingo and keep up to date with all our latest news on Facebook and Twitter.

All Quingo Personal Mobility Vehicles are provided by Forever Active, the UK’s exclusive distributor. Forever Active is a trading name of Advantage Marketing Corporation Limited (AMC).  AMC Limited is an appointed representative of First Senior Insurance Services Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. First Senior Insurance Services FSA Register number is 308478.

Attractions, Days Out, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Accessible Attractions: Royal Shakespeare Theatre

Quingo Scooters are always encouraging users to get out and about to visit interesting or unusual places on their mobility scooters, especially places that you didn’t think were accessible enough.

Over our series of blog posts we’ve been sharing with you some extremely accessible attractions to explore on your mobility scooter for a fantastic day out! This week we’re heading to Stratford-upon-Avon to step in to the world of Shakespeare.

QUINGO ACCESSIBLE ATTRACTIONS: ROYAL SHAKESPEARE THEATRE 2

Royal Shakespeare Theatre

Dedicated to the English playwright, the Royal Shakespeare Theatre is owned by the Royal Shakespeare Company. Situated in Shakespeare’s birthplace, the theatre is located in the town of Stratford-upon-Avon beside the river Avon.

It seats over 1000 after undergoing a major renovation in November 2010, known as the Transformation project. Part of the renovation included creating a new thrust stage auditorium, designed to bring actors and audiences closer together. The distance of the furthest seat from the stage has been reduced from 27 metres to 15 metres.

The renovation included the creation of an array of public spaces, including a Riverside Café, Rooftop Restaurant and an observation tower. Part of the renovation also involved making the theatre fully accessible for the first time, and more comfortable for people with disabilities. There are also other Royal Shakespeare Theatres at other locations, including London and the USA and Canada.

QUINGO ACCESSIBLE ATTRACTIONS: ROYAL SHAKESPEARE THEATRE 3

What’s on?

As expected, the theatre is home to many of Shakespeare’s works. The plays are on for a selected period of time and are in rotation so that more of his works can be performed. Some current highlights include:

  • Cymbeline – 31st October to 17th December 2016
  • King Lear – 10 November to 23rd December 2016
  • Much Ado About Nothing 9th December 2016  to 18th March 2017

There are also some other performances that aren’t to be missed:

  • Snow in Midsummer by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig – 23rd February to 25th March 2017
  • The Hypocrite by Richard Bean – 31st March to 29th April 2017
  • Salome by Oscar Wilde – 2nd June to 6th September 2017

You can discover all of the performances by going to the what’s on section of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre website.

Accessibility  

The renovation in 2010 created three times as many dedicated mobility scooter and wheelchair spaces than the previous auditorium. When booking your tickets, make the Box Office aware that you require a dedicated accessible space. You can also request an audio described or captioned performance too if required.

There is a large lift to all levels of the theatre, and these are fully accessible to mobility scooter users. There are seven Blue Badge Holder parking bays on Waterside which is directly outside the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, and there are ten bays on Chapel Lane which is the road opposite.

More access information is available on the Royal Shakespeare Theatre website.

Share your accessible attraction with Quingo!

If you’ve been to visit any great accessible places on your Quingo or would like us to write about a particular place you have visited, we’d be delighted to hear from you! You can email your stories, recommendations and pictures by filling out the contact form on our website and we’ll feature them on our blog.

About Quingo

The Quingo Scooter range features six models to suit your needs and budget. New models are now available from just £22/week on our new contract hire scheme which includes all servicing and maintenance, Insurance, Roadside Recovery, Call Outs and Consumables including Batteries and Tyres. For more information on this or the latest Quingo Scooter range, please visit our website. Alternatively, if you have any Service questions you can always contact us or call customer services on 01582 430 900.

Keep up to date with the latest mobility scooter advice, tips and interesting places to visit on the Quingo Scooter Users Blog. Connect with Quingo and keep up to date with all our latest news on Facebook and Twitter.

All Quingo Personal Mobility Vehicles are provided by Forever Active, the UK’s exclusive distributor. Forever Active is a trading name of Advantage Marketing Corporation Limited (AMC).  AMC Limited is an appointed representative of First Senior Insurance Services Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. First Senior Insurance Services FSA Register number is 308478.