Carrie-Ann Lightley

16/06/2026

My toxic trait is asking, “What does that even mean?” every time I see the words “fully accessible.” 😅

Because access is personal. Needs vary. Details matter.

Do you agree? Or is there another accessibility phrase that makes your eye twitch? 👀

14/06/2026

ad This is your sign to book an accessible break at the in Fife, Scotland. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

We stayed in Lundin Lodge, one of their accessible self catering lodges and it worked so well for a group getaway.

There was level access space to move around, accessible bedrooms with ceiling track, hoist and profiling beds, a huge wet room which included a bath with a ceiling track hoist and places to explore from the doorstep. ✨

We took a train from Leven Station through to Cameron Bridge and enjoyed the new River Park walk. We stopped at for coffee and cake and then headed back to Lundin Lodge for a BBQ.

This was such a treat, sunshine and outdoor eating in Scotland with all of my favourite people. I’m a big BBQ fan. 🍗

The lodge also had two upstairs bedrooms for family, friends and carers.

A beach close by, sadly not accessible, but we travelled to nearby St Andrews and enjoyed the beach wheelchairs there . 🏖️

Save this for your next accessible break in Scotland.

Video description: clips of Carrie-Ann, a white, female wheelchair user, and her friends. Enjoying and exploring the accessible lodge at Homelands Trust Fife, and the local area. They take a train, enjoy a park walk and coffee and cake, a BBQ on the patio at the lodge and the beach at St Andrews.

10/06/2026

ad Historic ships and wheelchair access do not always sound like natural companions. ⚓️

But on board The Royal Yacht BRITANNIA in Leith, Edinburgh, I spent far less time thinking about barriers and far more time enjoying the story.

I visited to review the experience, from the Visitor Centre and tour route to the Royal Deck Tearoom, shop and accessible facilities.

There were thoughtful access features throughout, staff who made us feel genuinely welcome, and so many details that brought the yacht to life.

The bridge controls. The mess decks. The medical quarters. The views from deck. The scone. Obviously. 🍰

It was relaxed, interesting and genuinely enjoyable to experience a historic ship where access had clearly been considered.

Full review coming soon.

Images by the endlessly talented Rachel Airey (life hack – get yourself a pro photographer bestie). 📸

08/06/2026

I can’t travel constantly. As a disabled travel writer, every trip takes planning, access research, support, energy and recovery.

So I’ve built my freelance work around that reality. That means making each trip work harder.

Last year, one trip to the Highlands became:

✨ a blog post for

✨ an article for about the train

✨ a filmed interview and photoshoot for

✨ a reel for , who loaned us a wheelchair accessible vehicle for the trip

What I love about this example is how each piece came from a different part of the same journey.

The hotel review came from a direct pitch. The Sun piece came from a friend noticing the Cairngorm Mountain train was accessible, and me spotting the wider story in that. The VisitScotland work gave the trip a destination marketing angle. The Open Road Access reel showed something that is often left out of accessible travel content: the transport that makes the rest of the trip possible.

This is the bit I think people often miss about freelance travel writing.

The trip is only one part of the work. The real skill is spotting the story inside the story, shaping it for different audiences, and making sure disabled travellers are not just included as an afterthought.

I may not have unlimited travel capacity. But I do have a strategy.

Follow me for accessible travel stories, honest access reviews and the behind the scenes reality of disabled travel writing. 🩷

08/06/2026

03/06/2026

A few moments from this year’s conference 💜

I gave the closing keynote on authentic inclusive storytelling, to a room full of people working in digital accessibility and inclusion.

I nearly talked myself out of this one. Not out of doing the keynote, exactly. But out of believing I belonged there. I felt like an imposter at first.

So I started my talk by telling the audience that.

Because authenticity isn’t about pretending you always feel confident. Sometimes it’s showing up wobbly, telling the truth, and trusting that your lived experience has value.

I was also in a fatigue crash after being ill, so this day took rest, adjustments and a bit of self-advocacy too. I arrived later than planned, rested as much as I could, and accepted the access I needed instead of trying to push through and prove something.

I am learning that asking for what we need is not a failure. It is part of how we get to show up as ourselves.

And disabled people deserve to be in the room, on the stage, behind the mic, shaping the conversation. ✨

Even when we feel wobbly. Especially then.

Follow me for more on accessible travel, disability inclusion and life as a disabled speaker and writer ♿️

01/06/2026

Two of my favourite things: accessible adventures and seeing my words in print ✨

My Amsterdam and Cotswolds features are both in the new issue of Travel Without Limits, which means I am officially calling this a very good post day.

City canals, countryside charm, and plenty of access notes along the way. ♿️🌍

Have you visited either?

27/05/2026

I’m so thrilled to share that I’ve been shortlisted for the TravMedia Awards 2026 as a Specialist Travel Writer of the Year finalist! ✨

Surprised / overwhelmed / grateful / very much wondering “are you sure?!” 😂

Accessible travel writing is still a niche within a niche, but it matters. Disabled travellers deserve honest, useful, thoughtful stories that go beyond glossy inspiration and actually help people make informed choices.

To have that work recognised by the travel media industry means so much. 🩷

Huge thank you to the editors, PRs, destinations, brands, disabled travellers and fellow writers who have supported, commissioned, shared and championed my work.

And an extra thank you to everyone who believes accessibility belongs in mainstream travel storytelling. ♿️✈️

Feeling very lucky today.