RNIB Scotland

10/11/2026

Our shop is stocked with festive Christmas card designs to get your season off to a cracking start, plus a lovely selection of large print calendars and diaries for 2027. Big, bold and easy to read, they’re perfect for planning the year ahead.

Tick some gifts off your list and know that every purchase supports blind and partially sighted people across Scotland.

Pop along and visit us at RNIB Scotland, 12-14 Hillside Crescent, Edinburgh , or shop online at: shop.rnib.org.uk/pages/christmas

[Image descriptions: 1. RNIB Christmas cards available at our Product Store. A card with four dogs sitting in the snow gaze at a large Christmas tree adorned with lights, with a snowy landscape and a village in the background. Santa's sleigh is silhouetted against a full moon in the sky, and wrapped gifts lay in the snow. 2. RNIB Christmas cards available at our Product Store. A greeting card featuring a stylized dove with decorative floral patterns and an olive branch in its beak, set against a red background with golden stars. The phrase "Peace on Earth" is written in gold at the bottom. 3. A festive card depicting two snow-covered Christmas trees with red and blue ornaments, set against a starlit night sky. A crescent moon hangs above, and the words "Christmas Wishes" are written across the sky in golden letters. 4. A selection of large, high contrast black and yellow calendars and diaries for 2027. 5. A close up photo of the 2027 foldaway calendar with a bold yellow curve, and black background.]

06/11/2026

We're not against cyclists. Some of us are cyclists! But a bike whizzing along the pavement, or left blocking it, can make getting around much harder for blind and partially sighted people.

Ride on the road or cycle path, and park out of the way. Take a wee moment to make a big difference.

Find out more about the campaign: https://www.rnib.org.uk/nations/scotland/campaigning-with-rnib-scotland/wee-moments/

[Video description: Ken speaks to camera while walking along the street with his white cane. He pops up at a crossing, bench and a bus stop. A cyclist rides past, appropriately on the road. A cyclist tucks their bike off the path. Ken adorns a helmet and zips up a cycling jacket, before setting off on the back of a tandem bike.]

05/11/2026

E-bikes and e-scooters- what are your thoughts?

The Scottish Parliament’s Criminal Justice Committee is carrying out an inquiry into crime and antisocial behaviour associated with e-bikes and e-scooters.

We're looking to share the impact of e-bikes and e-scooters on blind and partially sighted people, with the committee. E-bikes and e-scooters numbers are only increasing, despite being illegal on public roads in Scotland.

Will you share your experience? https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/drVAz1TmDj (Survey closes 15 November)

Find out more about the inquiry: https://www.parliament.scot/about/news/news-listing/2026/november/inquiry-launched-into-crime-and-antisocial-behaviour-e-bikes

[Image description: Someone riding an e-scooter along a pathway.]

04/11/2026

Make Christmas magic for your child with an accessible letter from Santa! Ho! Ho! Ho!

The festive season is coming around again, and Santa’s elves are already working away at RNIB. Requests for an accessible Letter from Santa for children with vision impairment are now open. You can ask for a letter in these formats:

• Uncontracted or contracted braille
• Large print
• Audio
• Email

It’s the perfect chance to get creative with your child as the nights draw in. Spend some time reflecting on their year, how much they’ve grown and what they’d like for Christmas.

When you write to Santa, make sure you include your child’s name, age, postal address and preferred format as well as your contact number.

You can write to Santa in three ways: Apply online with the link below; email: [email protected]; or post a letter to:

Santa
C/O RNIB
Northminster House
Northminster
Peterborough
PE1 1YN

To receive a Letter from Santa, make sure you apply by 30 November.

Find out more and apply online for a Letter from Santa here:

If you're affected by sight loss, we're here for you

03/11/2026

As Mariah Carey and Michael Bublé defrost, it's nearly time for our next Café VI event!

Our next Café VI Afternoon Tea will be on Wednesday 9 December. Enjoy a festive lunch, and a performance from a local primary school choir. Feel free to dress for the occasion!

Make sure you book your spot by 30 November, by contacting [email protected] or leave a message on 07711110258. Tickets are £20 and can be paid in advance. Find us at 12-14 Hillside Crescent, Edinburgh.

[Image description: The entrance to RNIB Scotland in Edinburgh, decorated with Christmas-themed stickers such as tinsel, lights, holly, gingerbread men, a santa hat, and a tree. A sign for Café VI in front provides details about offerings like hot drinks and soup, and states the opening hours as Tuesday to Friday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.]

01/11/2026

What is your experience accessing local police services?

We're gathering feedback from blind and partially sighted people about the barriers they face when contacting or using Police Scotland. We will present the findings to Police Scotland.

Responses to this survey are anonymous and no identifiable data, such as names, email addresses, or locations, is automatically collected.

Complete the survey online: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/bnxSfxjsJD

Prefer to answer by phone? James from our Social Action team can take your responses. Call 0131 652 3199. If James is not available, leave a voicemail with your name and contact number for a call back. These details are used only to arrange the call and are not part of your survey answers.

Please share this with anyone who may want to take part.

[Image description: Illustration of a blue siren on a pink background.]

30/10/2026

Upcoming at the Mitchell Library in Glasgow!

Support sessions: Anyone can come along to access information about sight loss, RNIB services and to socialise with others with sight loss. These fortnightly sessions have been set up to help anyone with sight loss or a visual impairment, as well as their friends, family and carers. Come along for a chat and advice.
When: 10 November and 24 November, 10am- 2pm

Products and Services drop-in session: This will give an opportunity for service users to try a range of the equipment and technology available at the RNIB Shop. No appointment necessary.
When: 11 November, 10am- 2pm

Tech Hub: Our dedicated, in-person service to support people who are looking to develop their technology skills. Get help with any tech related queries you may have. You can book a one hour slot by calling the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 and pressing option 3 then option 4 to reach our Digital Skills Team. Ask for the Glasgow Tech Hub and explain what you are seeking support with, our team will then create your booking.
When: 25 November, by appointment.

[Image description: The Mitchell Library in Glasgow, a large Edwardian Baroque building with a green copper dome.]

29/10/2026

A spooky day in Café VI as our guests and team went all out for yesterday’s Trick or Treat lunch, with bats, pumpkins, spell books and cloaks galore!

Thank you to everyone who joined in the spooky fun! 👻

[1. Our Community Manager Jane dressed as a bat, smiling with a blue faced zombie holding a pumpkin-shaped bucket, and art tutor Andy as a bright orange pumpkin. They stand in the decorated café with Halloween-themed decorations. 2. Maria wearing her Stich pumpkin top and holding a black cracker, with Bill in a white Halloween mask. 3. Kellie wearing a cosmic themed dress and holding a big spell book. 4. Marjory and Heather wearing witch hats and smiling together in the café. 5. Jane speaks to the guests in the decorated café who are sat around tables, wearing costumes. 6. Jimmy wearing a black cloak and hood, with Jane in her bat costume.]

28/10/2026

Did you know we have peer-support groups in the Highlands?

We offer tea and coffee in a relaxed atmosphere, where you can meet other visually impaired individuals and learn more about living with sight loss. Family members are also welcome. Why not come along and give it a go?

Our group in Dingwall meets on the 1st Thursday of each calendar month in the Dingwall Community Centre on Tulloch Street, from 2:00pm-3:30pm. The next meeting is on Thursday 5th November.

Our group in Nairn meets on the 1st Tuesday of each calendar month in Nairn Library on High Street, from 2:00pm-3:30pm. The next meeting is on Tuesday 3rd November.

For more information, contact our co-organisers, Highland BlindCraft Sensory Services on 01463 210558.

[Image description: Dingwall Community Centre, a large brick building with two chimneys, a pointed roof, and a red door.]

27/10/2026

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