Sight Scotland Veterans

09/10/2026

Sight Loss Councils Scotland Listening Month: Have your say!

What matters most to you as a person with a visual impairment living in Scotland?

This October, Sight Loss Councils Scotland are asking people with lived experience of visual impairment to share what matters to them. We want to hear about the things that affect your everyday life. From transport and public spaces to healthcare, information, technology, culture and local services. We are hosting an in person drop in event on:

Glasgow: 12th of October 10am - 3pm Venue – Glasgow at Civic House, Civic House, 26 Civic St, Glasgow G4 9RH

Dumfries: 13th of October 10am - 3pm Venue – D&G at Midsteeple Quarter, The Green Room, The Standard, 139 High Street, Dumfries, DG1 2QT

Edinburgh: 13th October, 10am-4:30pm – Sight Scotland Veterans, 2a Robertson Avenue, Edinburgh, EH11 1PZ

Digital: 21st October 6:30pm-9pm – email [email protected] to sign up

If you are unable to make it along to these sessions, please fill out the survey on our website.

Your feedback will help Sight Loss Councils Scotland understand the priorities of blind and partially sighted people across Scotland and inform our future engagement, campaigning and influencing work.

Your voice matters, and every response helps us build a clearer picture of what needs to change.

More info here: https://bit.ly/3Yx1ANt

Image description: A deep blue Sight Loss Councils branded flyer with a circle eye design in the right hand corner and the following text written: Listening Month Drop In Sessions. Monday 12 October: Glasgow 10 am to 3 pm. Tuesday 13 October: Dumfries and Galloway, 10 am to 3pm, Edinburgh 10 am till 4:30 pm. Sight Loss Councils: a vision for change.

08/10/2026

We were delighted to welcome His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester to Sight Scotland Veterans' Hawkhead Centre in Paisley.

During his visit, The Duke spent time with veterans living with visual impairment, hearing their personal stories and learning about the challenges they have faced, as well as the determination and resilience that have helped them move forward. He saw first-hand how our services help veterans build confidence, reconnect with their communities and live independent, fulfilling lives.

As our Patron, The Duke has long supported our work, and we were proud to share how the charity continues to make a difference today.

Image descriptions: 1. The Duke of Gloucester being welcomed at the entrance of the Hawkhead Centre by Sight Scotland Veterans staff and one of our Trustees.

2. The Duke of Gloucester chatting to veterans and staff in the woodwork room of the Hawkhead Centre.

3. In a bright, airy room The Duke of Gloucester is smiling beside two people who are smartly dressed.

02/10/2026

A huge thank you to everyone who popped along to our Hawkhead and Linburn Veterans Centres for our Doors Open Days!

Across the two days, we welcomed 266 visitors who came to look around, meet our veterans and staff, enjoy a cuppa, and have a go at everything from archery and curling to crafts and poppy making.

It was fantastic to see so many people come through the doors, sharing stories, making connections and discovering what makes our centres such special and welcoming places.

We loved meeting so many new faces and look forward to welcoming many of you back again soon.

(Image descriptions: Image 1. Two Sight Scotland Veterans staff members are smiling and standing behind a yellow eye shaped frame. Surrounding them are by purple and yellow balloons. The frame has the text "Tackling vision loss together" on it.

Image 2. An adult and two kids are sitting at a round table. They are smiling and doing arts and crafts with black paper and chalk, making creations that look like planets and shooting stars.

Image 3. A group of four people are smiling and sitting at a table. They are holding red poppies that they have made. The room is bright and has art supplies and paintings on display.

Image 4. A Sight Scotland Veterans staff member is standing beside and watching someone who is actively engaged in a game of indoor curling.)

30/09/2026

Kim McFarlane had never driven before. By her second run at Driftland, she couldn't wait to get back out on the track.

Derek Donaldson, a former infantry soldier and transport driver, hadn't driven since losing his sight. “It was an incredible feeling.”

Thank you to SIGMA CAPITAL & Simple Life Homes and Speed Of Sight Charity for making the day happen. 🏎️

Visually impaired veterans supported by Sight Scotland Veterans get behind the wheel at Driftland for an unforgettable driving experience.

22/09/2026

When your sight changes, it can be hard to know where to turn, or who to ask. If you served in the forces, our support line is a good first call.

Our team offers expert advice and practical help, whether you're a veteran adjusting to sight loss yourself or you're caring for someone who is. We can talk through what support is out there and what might help.

Call us free on 0800 035 6409. The line is open 10am to 4pm, Monday to Thursday, and 10am to 3pm on Friday.

You don't need to have worked everything out before you ring. That's what we're here for.

[Image description: A veteran laughing, wearing a black beret with a cap badge, glasses, a dark suit and purple tie, with two poppies and badges on the lapel. Behind, out of focus, young people in naval uniforms stand in a crowd]

17/09/2026

The Linburn Centre is where veterans with a visual impairment come to bowl, curl, drum, cook and catch up with people who get it. On Saturday 19 September, the doors are open to you too.

It's part of Doors Open Days. There will be guided tours of both buildings, so you can see the range of activities that go on here week to week. You'll also get the chance to try a short art or daily living task while wearing sim specs, glasses that mimic different eye conditions. It's a simple way to get a sense of a little of what our veterans manage day to day.

Saturday 19 September, 10am to 3pm. No booking needed, just come along. Full details at the link.
🔗 https://bit.ly/3T2mpkG

[Image description: A long, low, curved single-storey building with pale timber and metal cladding and large windows, set behind landscaped gardens under a blue sky. A yellow band along the bottom reads, in purple text, "Linburn Veterans Centre, Doors Open Days, 19 September 2026".]

13/09/2026

We have two activity hubs for veterans affected by sight loss: the Linburn Centre in West Lothian and the Hawkhead Centre in Renfrewshire.

They're places to take part in activities, learn something new, and spend time with other veterans who understand what sight loss is like. For a lot of the people who come along, the company matters as much as the activities.

If you'd like to know what goes on at each centre, or how to get involved, you can find out more at the link below.

Find out about our two activity hubs for veterans with sight loss: the Linburn Centre and the Hawkhead Centre.

04/09/2026

Tomorrow's the day. Our Hawkhead Activity Hub in Paisley opens its doors for Doors Open Days Scotland, 10am to 3pm.

Come and see where our veterans spend their time: the bowling and curling rooms, the arts and craft room, and the woodwork room. It's a fully accessible building, with a garden, refreshments, and parking on site.

Free to attend, no booking needed. We'd love to see you there.

Hawkhead Activity Hub, 198 Hawkhead Road, Paisley PA2 7BS.

[Image description: A modern building with large glass windows surrounded by trees. A bright yellow banner at the bottom reads, "Hawkhead Centre, Doors Open Day - 5 September."]

23/08/2026

Ever wondered what's inside a building shaped like a hawk?

Our Hawkhead Activity Hub in Paisley opens its doors on 5 September, 10am to 3pm, for Doors Open Days Scotland. Have a wander through and see where our veterans spend their time: the bowling and curling rooms, the arts and craft room, and the woodwork room.

It's a fully accessible building, with a garden, refreshments, and parking on site. Free to attend, no booking needed.

Hawkhead Activity Hub, 198 Hawkhead Road, Paisley PA2 7BS. We'd love to see you there.

[Image description: A modern building with large glass windows surrounded by trees. A bright yellow banner at the bottom reads, "Hawkhead Centre, Doors Open Day - 5 September.]