Join us as we welcome Alistair Williams from The National Piping Centre, as he takes you through a demonstration of how to play the beginner instrument of the bagpipes - the Practice Chanter.

Alistair Williams started playing at the age of 9, and played with the school throughout his time there. He teaches regularly at The National Piping Centre on the Evening Classes and Community Piping Clubs, as well as taking 1 to 1 students. In 2025 he won the Grade 2 World Pipe Band Championships with Glasgow Skye Association Pipe Band and is looking forward to competing in Grade 1 this year with Police Scotland & Federation Pipe Band.

Join Alistair and learn some of the history of the pipes and get an opportunity to handle the instrument and understand how it works, before having a go yourself.

This workshop is accessible in BSL and English.

Tickets are Pay What You Can
We want everyone to be able to enjoy our events, regardless of circumstances. Please choose the amount that feels right for you. Suggested options: Free, £2.50, £5, £7.50 or £10 per ticket.

All profits from ticket sales will go to funding a new accessible lift outside our building on Albany Street.

Accessibility Notice

Our external lift is currently out of service, which unfortunately means we cannot provide step-free access into the building at this time.

Once inside, internal lifts are available to all floors. If you can manage steps with assistance, our team will be happy to help. Please contact us in advance or on arrival:

Email: admin@deafaction.org
Call: 0131 556 3128
Text: 07775 620757

We understand this may be disappointing, and we sincerely apologise for the impact on visitors who require step-free entry. Thank you for your patience as we work to restore full access.

Keeping Our Home Accessible – Christmas Lift Appeal

For generations, our building on Albany Street has been the beating heart of the deaf community and our home since 1889. It has witnessed deaf couples sign “I do” in our Church, countless blethers in the garden tended by incredible volunteers, unforgettable late-night BSL karaoke in the Blackwood Bar, and quiet afternoons in the Brennan Library for book lovers and students alike.

This place holds history, stories, and community spirit in every corner. It is a welcoming space for everyone. Deaf people, BSL learners, hearing parents of deaf children, friends, allies, and visitors from around the world. Each year we welcome thousands of people through our doors to learn, celebrate, connect, and belong.

However, we now face a challenge.

Our external lift, essential for wheelchair users and anyone unable to use the stairs, has broken beyond repair. Full access is not optional for us; it is fundamental to who we are. Being able to welcome everyone into our building is at the heart of our mission.

We have secured planning permission from the City of Edinburgh Council and placed an order for a brand-new lift. The cost is £13,421.75, and while we are determined to do this as quickly as possible, it is a significant expense we cannot meet alone.

This is where we need your support.

By donating or by choosing a Pay What You Can ticket, you are helping us keep our home open, inclusive, and fully accessible for all. Every contribution brings us one step closer to restoring equal access to our historic building.

Thank you for being part of our community. We wish you a warm and happy festive season, and we look forward to welcoming you back through fully accessible doors as soon as we can.

For more information about our Christmas Lift Appeal, please visit our website here.