What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 4pm Tuesday 9am - 4pm Wednesday 9am - 4pm Thursday 9am - 4pm Friday 9am - 4pm

RNIB Scotland

RNIB Scotland - supporting blind and partially sighted people

22/10/2026

Big announcement: We have a new RNIB Tech Hub in Glasgow!

Book an appointment with our lovely volunteers Rosie and Emily to
help troubleshoot technology issues, improve your digital skills or learn how to use accessibility functions on your device.

We can help you with laptops, smartphones, tablets and home devices, as well as helping you to get started with apps including RNIB Reading Services.

To make an appointment, call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999, then select option 3 and then option 4 to speak to one of our Digital Skills Advisors. Ask for an appointment at Glasgow’s Tech Hub and discuss what support you require. We'll give you a call you back to finalise a date and time – Glasgow’s Tech Hub happens on the last Wednesday of the month at the Mitchell Library.

On the day of your appointment just make sure you bring your device and ensure it is fully charged, and we’ll handle the rest!

[Image description: Rosie and Emily wearing RNIB Scotland polo shirts. The table in front of them has an assortment of leaflets, coasters, a tablet, and pens.]

21/10/2026

The Fruitmarket are hosting an art and community engagement programme for young people aged 16-24 with a visual impairment.

There will be 10 monthly art sessions which take place at the Fruitmarket, Market Street, Edinburgh on a Saturday from 2pm to 4pm. No experience is required. The workshops are free to attend, artist led and will explore painting, textiles, clay and more!

The first session will take place on Saturday 14 November, if you'd like further information, please contact us at: [email protected]

[Image description: A white plate with multi-coloured paint splotches. Three paintbrushes with blue and green handles rest on the plate.]

20/10/2026

What's alt-text and how do you include it?

Alt-text is a really simple way to make your posts more accessible. It describes what an image is of, and whether there's any text within it. For those using screen-readers to read aloud posts, they'll hear what an image is of, rather than a computer's guess, or just the word, 'image'!

On Facebook, you can add alt-text by first uploading your image, and then using the edit button, usually at the top left of the image. Select the alternative text option, and write a useful description of what is in the image. Don't forget to select 'Save'. You won't see your alt text on your post, but it'll be read aloud for those using screen readers.

It can also be useful to write an image description within your post or image caption as we've done below. Give it a go!

[Image description: A freshly baked apple crumble cake from Café VI, with a golden-brown crust sits in a baking dish with parchment paper. Next to it, a few green apples are visible.]

19/10/2026

What happens when budding game designers meet our blind and partially sighted gamers for a 48-hour game jam? Games that everyone can play!

This weekend, we partnered with games company Scopely, to invite students from Abertay University to take part in a game jam by building playable games with accessibility baked in from the very first idea. Our blind and partially sighted volunteer gamers were on hand throughout, playtesting early builds and giving designers feedback in real time.

The winning game, Sixth Sense, is a two-player co-op puzzle with a twist: one player can see and guides their partner, who navigates by directional audio alone. Neither has the full picture, so it’s all about listening, talking and trust.

Our research shows only 15 per cent of game developers feel they understand the needs of blind and partially sighted players so we're delighted that events like this are helping to change that.

Huge thanks, and well done, to everyone who took part!

Play all the games: https://itch.io/jam/accessibili-tay

[Image descriptions and alt text on each photo.]

17/10/2026

Hi, my name is Jean. I'm severely sight impaired but I lead a very busy life including volunteering by facilitating telephone support groups for RNIB.

I'm starting an in-person RNIB peer support group for visually impaired people in Moffat. The group will be useful for finding out about technology and other ways of coping with sight loss. It'll also provide an opportunity to be with others who are experiencing similar situations.

Our first meeting will be at St John’s Church in Moffat, this Tuesday, 20th October from 10am to 12 noon. If you are visually impaired, or know someone who is and think they'd be interested, please contact Jean on 07717412047.

[Image description: Jean standing and smiling with her guide dog, Hero, in a garden.]

16/10/2026

It's our birthday! 158 years ago today, we were founded by Dr. Thomas Rhodes Armitage, a partially sighted war surgeon and doctor with a mission to make reading accessible to blind people.

Queen Victoria became our first Patron in 1875. We received our Royal Charter from King George VI in 1949, and following Queen Elizabeth II's accession, we adopted the name RNIB in August 1953.

158 years on, we're still here for everyone affected by sight loss. Thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way!

[Image description: The Royal Seal, a large red wax-like seal with a golden thread. Pictured is Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on horseback.]

15/10/2026

Don't forget to book your place for Café VI's Trick or Treat lunch!

There'll be Scary Soup, Spooky Stovies, Bloody 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: The entrance to RNIB Scotland in Edinburgh, decorated with Halloween-themed stickers such as spiders, a ghost, and a black cat. 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.]

14/10/2026

A wee moment can make a big difference to blind and partially sighted people.

If you're a cyclist, will you ride on the road or cycle path, and park out of the way? That's all it takes to help Ken get where he's going, confidently and independently.

What’s one wee thing everyone could do to help blind and partially sighted people get about easily?

[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.]

13/10/2026

Are you a blind or partially sighted video gamer?

We’re looking for game testers for Accessibili-Tay, a weekend game jam at Abertay University, Dundee, on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th October.

Abertay University, RNIB Scotland and games publisher Scopely are challenging students to build video game prototypes that can be played entirely without sight. Your job is to play their games, share honest feedback and suggest improvements, helping shape games that are fully playable by blind people.

You can join on one day or both. Sighted assistance from volunteers is available, or you’re welcome to bring a friend or family member. No game development experience needed, and all the prototypes will be available to download and play shortly after the event.

To sign up, complete the online form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/z6B0SYYGqj or email James Kyle at RNIB Scotland: [email protected]

Open to ages 18+ only. Share this if you know someone that might interested!

[Image description: A games console controller being held in front of a pink RNIB Scotland background.]

Address

12-14 Hillside Crescent
Edinburgh

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 4pm
Tuesday	9am - 4pm
Wednesday	9am - 4pm
Thursday	9am - 4pm
Friday	9am - 4pm

Website

http://www.rnib.org.uk/scotland

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when RNIB Scotland posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to RNIB Scotland:

Want your business to be the top-listed health & beauty business in Edinburgh?