Tyres screeched, engines roared and confidence soared as visually impaired members of Sight Scotland Veterans took to the track at Driftland in Fife.
For some of the veterans, getting behind the wheel was something they never imagined they would be able to do again. Thanks to a special driving experience organised by disability driving charity Speed Of Sight, with support from Sigma Capital Group & Simple Life Homes, they were given the chance to experience the thrill of driving in a safe and controlled environment.
The day gave veterans the opportunity to try something completely new, challenge perceptions about what is possible after sight loss, and build confidence and independence.
Watch our video from the day and read our interviews with veterans Kim and Derek who took part in the driving experience below.
This video includes audio description and captions.
“Opportunities like this show that being visually impaired does not mean you have to stop trying new things. With the right support, you can achieve things you never thought were possible."
‘I felt like Nigel Mansell’
Among those taking part was Kim McFarlane from Grangemouth, who served with Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps, the Royal Corps of Signals and the Royal Army Medical Corps.
“I lost my sight following a diabetic stroke, and when I was first introduced to Sight Scotland Veterans two years ago, I had no idea what support was available to me. Since then, I have made great friends, the staff have been amazing, and I've learned to do things I never thought I would be able to do.”
Kim had never driven before, but that did not stop her from giving the experience a go.
“When I heard about the driving experience, I was excited to try something completely different. As someone who is visually impaired and had never driven before, it's not something I ever imagined would be possible. Getting behind the wheel was absolutely brilliant. The first time around I wasn't sure what to expect, but by the second run I was really looking forward to it and could not wait to get back out on the track. It was such an adrenaline rush. The instructor kept encouraging me to pick up a bit more speed, and I felt like Nigel Mansell out there.
“Opportunities like this show that being visually impaired does not mean you have to stop trying new things. With the right support, you can achieve things you never thought were possible."
"Getting the chance to drive again at Driftland was something I never thought I'd experience.”
Back behind the wheel after sight loss
For fellow veteran Derek Donaldson from Glenrothes, the experience had an even more personal meaning.
Derek, who has diabetic retinopathy, began his military career as an infantry soldier before becoming a transport driver. Losing his sight meant having to give up driving and a significant part of his life.
“As a former truck driver, being behind the wheel was a huge part of my life, so losing my sight and having to stop driving was incredibly difficult. Getting the chance to drive again at Driftland was something I never thought I'd experience.”
Derek was able to rediscover some of that feeling at Driftland, with an instructor guiding him around the track.
“I've got a new car sitting at home that I'll never be able to drive because of my sight loss, so being back behind the wheel today meant a great deal to me. With the instructor guiding me through the corners and encouraging me to pick up speed, I felt safe, confident, I just loved it and couldn’t really believe what I was doing. It was an incredible feeling.”
Supporting veterans to live confidently with sight loss
Derek has been supported by Sight Scotland Veterans for six years. He says that support has helped him focus on the opportunities that remain possible following sight loss.
“Losing your sight can knock your confidence and make you feel as though parts of your life have been taken away. Sight Scotland Veterans helps you focus on what you can still do, not what you've lost. They are a fantastic organisation that goes above and beyond to help visually impaired veterans rebuild their confidence and get more out of life.”
The charity supports veterans across Scotland who are living with sight loss, helping them to build confidence, maintain independence and make the most of life. Experiences like the driving day can play an important part in that wider support, giving veterans the chance to challenge themselves, discover new interests and create memories with others who understand their experiences.
Derek said:
“Everything the charity does is about improving people's lives and helping them live independently and confidently. I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunities they give to me and so many other veterans. Without their support, I would never have had the chance to get back behind the wheel again.”
Making new experiences possible
The driving experience was donated to Sight Scotland Veterans by Sigma Capital Group & Simple Life Homes, in partnership with Speed Of Sight.
Niamh Waldron, Social Impact & Sustainability Director at Sigma Capital Group & Simple Life Homes, said:
“We were delighted to offer Sight Scotland Veterans an exclusive track day as part of our 2026 programme and are thrilled to hear how much the veterans enjoyed the experience. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Sight Scotland Veterans and Speed of Sight, and to giving many more veterans the opportunity to experience the thrill of driving in the years ahead.”
For the veterans who took part, the day was a chance to put aside assumptions about what sight loss might mean and focus instead on what they could achieve with the right support. And, for Kim and Derek, it was also a reminder of something simple: sometimes the most memorable experiences are the ones you never thought would be possible.
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