Access Statement

The purpose of this statement is to describe the standards of access at Waterfront Cottage (Ordnance Survey grid reference Ordnance Survey grid ref NH138935. Latitude 57:53:27N (57.89086), Longitude 5:08:28W (-5.14114)).

The Cottage is located approximately half a mile from the centre of the village of Ullapool, and is set on its own private plot on a substantial hillside, being accessed from the main A835 Ullapool - Inverness road by a steep drive (approx 100m long). The gradient of the site mean that it will be difficult for people with mobility problems to negotiate on foot.
Level parking on a tarmaced surface is available at the front of the Cottage, close to the main and side entrances, enabling the loading / unloading of luggage (assistance available upon request).
The main entrance door (width 810mm) is accessed by four steps. The first two have a rise of 150mm, width 900mm, and depth 600mm. The third is 125mm high, 900mm wide and 120mm deep. The final small step is the lower secton of the door frame and is 45mm high.
The side entrance similarly has four steps. The first two have a rise of about 160mm and a width of 900mm. The first step has a depth of 290mm, the second 600mm. The top two steps are as for the Main entrance.

The dimensions of each room are set out on The Cottage page. All internal doors have a standard width (750mm), and other facilities are of a standard size and accessibility. These have not been adapted specifically for people with disabilities.

The main entrance opens into a spacious hallway (1450mm wide). This leads through a door to the right into the large kitchen, or ahead into the Dining Room (1500mm wide access), or left down a corridor (750mm wide) from which the bedrooms are accessed.

All of the rooms except for the Lounge are situated on the same floor, including the Kitchen, Dining Room, the Bathroom, and all Bedrooms / En-Suites and Toilets. The Lounge is accessed from the Dining Room via wooden stairs (8 steps, each 840mm wide with a 190mm drop), with banister on right.

The rear garden may be accessed from the Lounge, or around the sides of the Cottage, but several steps must be negotiated by whichever route is taken. There is a step (120mm high, 900mm wide and 400mm deep) outside the Lounge door (800mm wide). A level area with a garden bench may then be accessed via 4 more steps (each 170mm high, 1200mm wide and 360mm deep).

The garden is fenced, but the steep grassed slopes can be slippery, so that persons with any mobility or learning disablility may require assistance / supervision when in this area.

Visitors with Learning Disabilities are welcome. If the disabilities are severe, someone who can provide an appropriate level of assistance must accompany the visitor. As described above, a high level of supervision will be required when the disabled person is outside the property. We will not make generalisations or assumptions about what people with learning difficulties can do or understand. We will use straightforward language, allow time for a response and be understanding and positive.

Public transport - there is none that directly serves, or is within easy walking distance of, the property. There is a local Taxi Service (details provided within the Cottage), and a cab ride into Ullapool will cost about £5-10. This is also the means by which provisions may be delivered from the Somerfield Supermarket, which will usually be prepared to collate and pack items on a shopping list for delivery.

Mobile Phone network - most networks provide good or at least acceptable reception in the area. There is one landline telephone in the Cottage (incoming calls and emergency outgoing calls only), with telephone points available in the hallway, kitchen, Lounge and main (double) bedroom.

Wheelchair hire - none available locally.

At each annual review we will consider what further improvements can be made for visitors with disabilities.

Angus Bruce - October 2007.
Updated December 2007 (garden fencing completed).