RNIB Scotland

05/10/2026

“I’m totally blind, but I can touch a table and see it.”

Gina, from South Carolina, and now living in Greece, has been spending a few months with us in Edinburgh! She’s a PhD researcher in psychology, studying a fascinating phenomenon of her own brain.

Gina lost her vision almost twenty years ago at 22 years old. Years later, she began having visual experiences again, without any working sight. The experience is called non-optic sight; when she touches something like a table, she might get a visual experience of it.

Gina's experiences are consistent with her environment, and they show up on brain scans. She now studies it as part of her PhD.

“It was a huge experience for me,” Gina says. “I’m so used to being blind, so when I started having visual experiences again, I was like, ‘What do I do with this?’

“I had no idea what was going on, I’d never heard of it. I went to get scans and it turns out it’s just a really cool adaptation that the brain does.

I describe it as adaptive synaesthesia; for me it's very psychedelic, lots of light and colour. Beautiful."

Before arriving in Scotland, Gina reached out to RNIB Scotland to ask about living in Edinburgh. We paired her up with one of our lovely volunteers Bill- who has been helping her and guide dog Courage learn routes around the city. Now she's getting around more independently, and even the staff at her local supermarket know how to help her. Gina’s also been along to our community events, including our lively Friday Dominoes group, and is getting stuck into her local community in Portobello, particularly para-climbing.

Gina got involved in climbing three years ago when she met a new friend, Ian, at her bouldering gym. “He climbs with a paralysed leg,” she says, “I just thought that was awesome”. Ian encouraged Gina to start competing, and now she’s in her second year on Team USA and has won national silver medals.

Since being in Edinburgh, Gina trains with the Scottish Para Climbing Club in Portobello. As a B1 (totally blind) climber, she works with a sight guide:

“We usually have headsets, especially for competitions. When I’m climbing, they’ll be guiding me through the route- saying things like, ‘11 o’clock, left hand, reach further,’ or ‘foothold at mid-thigh’.

“I’m so absorbed in the full body challenge of climbing, I don’t notice my non-optic sight as much. But afterwards, I can remember the climb visually, which is a very fun experience.”

Away from the climbing wall, Gina has also been getting to grips with life in a new city.

“My time in Scotland has been amazing. Everyone is so friendly, and kind. I’ve found people are helpful but not intrusive- they don’t drag me across the road, but they actually ask if I need help, and I tell them, ‘Yes I do!’

"Don't be scared to ask. Every blind person is different; we all have our own ways of interacting. It’s fine to offer help- just ask if, and how, you can help and have a conversation. Every act of kindness and understanding counts.”

Make sure to say hi to Gina while she’s still in Edinburgh, and as she plans her move back to Greece, we’re wishing her all the best with her research and climbing! For more support and information about how RNIB Scotland can support you, pop us a message at [email protected].

[Image descriptions: 1. Gina kneels on the floor hugging Courage, her yellow Lab guide dog. Courage is looking at her with affection. 2. Gina on the rock climbing wall at the Climbing Hanger. She's upright, and grabbing two handholds while moving her feet up to the next foothold.]

Gina Marie Applebee Scottish Paraclimbing Club The Climbing Hangar Edinburgh Leader Dogs for the Blind

02/10/2026

At RNIB Scotland HQ,
HumanWare has something new for you.
The sixth of October, don't be late,
One 'til three, so mark the date!

Happy National Poetry Day! It's the perfect way to tell you about HumanWare hosting a drop in at our Edinburgh Product Store, 12-14 Hillside Crescent.

Pop in on Tuesday between 1-3pm to see and try out the latest assistive technology, ask questions, and find out how it could make everyday life easier. No booking needed, just drop by and have a chat with the team.

[Image description: Someone holding a handheld electronic magnifier up while they play Scrabble, so the viewer shows a close up of the letters on the board.]

01/10/2026

We're delighted to announce, following successful taster sessions in the summertime, two new support groups in the Highlands!

Alongside our pals at Highland BlindCraft Sensory Services and Macular Society, we're hosting monthly groups in Dingwall and Nairn.

The Dingwall Sight Loss Support Group will meet on the first Thursday of every month, at Dingwall Community Centre on Tulloch Street, from 2- 3.30pm.

The Nairn Sight Loss Support Group will meet on the first Tuesday of every month, at Nairn Library, from 2-3:30pm.

If you're affected by sight loss, or are a family member, friend, or carer for someone who is, you're very welcome to come along.

For more information, contact 01463210558 or [email protected]

[Image descriptions: 1. Poster for Dingwall Sight Loss Support Group. Meeting on the first Thursday of every month 2-3.30pm. Dingwall Community Centre, Tulloch Street, IV15 9JZ. Meetings open to anyone affected by sight loss. Family, friends and carers welcome. For more information contact 01463210558 or [email protected]. Macular Society, Highland Blindcraft and RNIB logos. 2. Poster for Nairn Sight Loss support group. Meeting on the first Tuesday of every month 2-3:30pm. Nairn Library, 68 High Street, IV12 4AU. Meetings open to anyone affected by sight loss, Family friends and carers welcome. For more information contact 01463210558 or [email protected]. Macular Society, Highland Blindcraft and RNIB logos.]

30/09/2026

We're so proud of Haggeye member, Eilidh!

Eilidh Morrison’s confidence bloomed when she got into politics and campaigning, helping to make the voices of young vision impaired people heard.

Eilidh, from Aberdeen, has the rare condition Joubert Syndrome, with related retinitis pigmentosa and ocular motor apraxia.

Seven years ago, she was elected as a Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP), representing Haggeye, RNIB Scotland’s youth forum.

Eilidh says: “A few years ago, I would sit in the corner and not make eye contact with anyone. Now I am probably the loudest person in the room – it’s hard to shut me up sometimes!”

“At my second Scottish Youth Parliament Sitting, I had to stand up in front of everyone and explain, using a microphone, how my guide dog worked. That’s where my confidence really sparkled,” she says.

Eilidh developed a passion for advocating for vision impaired young people. She was involved in an education reform project last year, speaking to the Scottish Government about how to make schooling more accessible:

“I was let down when I was in school because there wasn’t that support there. Now young people can speak up and say, ‘Hey, this isn’t meeting Article 28. Do something about it!’.”

She also challenged the barriers guide dog users faced when travelling abroad following Brexit:

“I told my local MSP about it, and she got it into Westminster. Now you can take your guide dog on the plane between the UK and Northern Ireland.”.

She’s now launched a campaign calling for NaviLens codes to be applied to every food package, so that blind and visually impaired people can hear ingredient lists and cut down on ultra-processed foods.

And Eilidh's campaigning work has been alongside her higher education:

“Last year, I embarked on a new adventure: A postgraduate diploma in education (PGDE) for primary school after completing my undergraduate degree in Physics. The skills I’ve learned at SYP, like public speaking and time management, are things that make a good teacher.”

What’s next for Eilidh?

[Image description: Eilidh holding her cane standing beside a Scottish Youth Parliament banner with its SYP logo. She is smiling and wearing glasses with turquoise frames and a blue SYP lanyard.]

29/09/2026

Our East Lothian walkers have been out and about!

This group usually meets for a weekly walk, alternating between Musselburgh and Haddington every Thursday. This time, the group decided on a visit to the Falkirk Wheel and the famous Scottish Kelpies.

At the Falkirk Wheel, the world's only rotating boat lift, some of the party took a boat trip. The wheel links the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal 35 metres above. The rest of the group enjoyed a stroll along the canalside.

After lunch, everyone headed to see the Kelpies up close. These two giant steel horse heads stand 30 metres tall beside the M9 and are the largest equine sculptures in the world.

Organiser Graham said: “The people at the Falkirk Wheel were so helpful. Our time was a bit tight on arrival and they delayed the boat trip by a couple of minutes so that we could get on; and the people in the cafeteria set aside a table for us so that we could have our lunch. We had a great day and everyone loved it."

[Image descriptions: 1. The group of ten people and two guide dogs stand smiling in front of the Kelpies, two large metal horse-like head sculptures protruding from the ground. 2. The group in front of the Falkirk Wheel, a large metal steel boat lift. Two long arms shaped like a double-headed axe rotate on a central axle, each carrying a water-filled gondola with a canal boat inside.]

The Falkirk Wheel The Kelpies

25/09/2026

Spooky season is coming to Café VI!

Dig out your scary costumes because we're hosting a Halloween Trick or Treat lunch! There'll be Scary Soup, Spooky Stovies, Bloody Red Velvet Cake, and a mysterious treat. Join us for a fun quiz and riddles too. Save the date for 28th October at 1pm.

Make sure you book your spot by 20th October, by contacting [email protected]. Tickets are £15 and can be paid in advance.

[Image description: A busy Café VI at our latest event, guests sat around tables enjoying their food and tea. Cartoon Halloween graphics are added to the photo: a cobweb in the corner, pumpkins, a flying bat and ghost, spiders, a black cat with a Trick or Treat sign, and a witches hat on the guide dog who is lying down beside the table.]

25/09/2026

23/09/2026

We headed along to Robert H. King's exhibition, on display at Trongate 103 in Glasgow!

Robert kindly took us through the exhibition himself, walking us through each piece and sharing the stories and thinking behind his work. It was a real privilege to hear directly from him about how sight loss, personal identity, and memory have shaped his practice as a visually impaired digital photography artist.

The exhibition also features audio guides narrated by Robert, so visitors can hear those same stories in his own words.

Find the exhibition at 103 Trongate, Argyle Street, Glasgow, until 11 October. Open 7 days a week.

[Image description: Robert, with RNIB Scotland colleagues Conor, Jo, Eileen, and James at his exhibition.]

Robert H King Street Level Photoworks

22/09/2026

What a day we've had hosting the Scottish Vision Strategy conference in Edinburgh!

We've had great discussions about putting patients first, digital health access and data, vision rehabilitation, mental health, as well as diving deep into topics in our workshops, like Community Low Vision services.

A big thank you to all of our speakers and contributors, as well as to our guests for their fantastic discussions and ideas shared across the day.

Listen in on RNIB Connect Radio: https://audioboom.com/playlists/4636001-scottish-vision-strategy-conference-2026

[Image descriptions: 1. RNIB Scotland Director James Adams opens the conference at the front of the room, slides reading SVS 2026 Putting Patients First. 2. James Adams with Alison Thewliss MSP, Minister for Community Care. 3. A panel at the front of the room speaking on Patient Focussed and person centred first. NHS Engagement Manager Laura Jones hosts at the lectern. 4. Digital Citizen Panel Chris Mackie from Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland and Kirin Saeed speaking and smiling. 5. Debbie, Anne and Morag- some of our fantastic volunteers in pink RNIB t-shirts. 6. RNIB's John Slade presenting at the front of the room on RNIB's sight loss data tool. 7. Eilidh Thomson, Chair of Optometry Scotland speaks at the front of the room. 8. RNIB CEO Simon Antrobus speaks at the front of the room.]

21/09/2026

When did you last have your eyes checked?

It's National Eye Health Week, and we kicked it off by inviting Gregor Poynton MP to visit his local optometrists. Let his visit be your reminder to book yours.

We encourage everyone to get their eyes checked every two years, or more often if advised. It's free for everyone in Scotland.

And if you have any concerns, we’re here to support anyone experiencing changes in their vision and is worried about what this could mean. We can provide the advice and support so you can make an informed decision about your healthcare. No one should go through an eye condition diagnosis without support. Give us a call on 0303 123 9999.

With thanks to Optometry Scotland for their continued partnership.

[Image description: Our NHS Engagement Manager Laura, with Gregor Poynton MP standing in the consulting room at Specsavers.]