Why join an event or activity with Sight Scotland Veterans?
Engaging in sports, activities and events is important for everyone, regardless of age or ability. Activities and events improve your physical and your mental health, can boost confidence and make people feel great.
At Sight Scotland Veterans, we don't see visual impairment as a barrier and we want to show everyone what's possible; whether that's playing sports such as bowls, golf, archery, or getting together at one of our events.
Staying active is an important part of living well and those who lead an active lifestyle that combines activities, sports and socialising are more likely to live longer and healthier lives.
Water Sports - Canoeing and Kayaking
Join us on Wednesday 10 September Sight Scotland Veterans members are invited to join us and try their hand canoeing and kayaking at Loch Ore.
This activity is being led by Och Aye Canoe who are based in Fife.
Each session is one hour long and can be booked to start at 1:00pm or 3:00pm.
This is being offered out at a reduced rate of £25 per person and includes the hire of all equipment on the day. All participants must be able to self travel to Loch Ore.
For more information and to sign up, call the Sporting and Partnership team on 0800 035 6409.
Fly Fishing and Sea Fishing
Are you a Veteran with an interest in fishing? Whether a dab hand or a complete beginner, we'd love to hear from those who would be interested in joining our fishing trips.
Indoor and Outdoor Bowls
Partnering with Visually Impaired Bowlers Scotland, we're on the lookout for more members for our indoor and outdoor bowls clubs. Open to all Sight Scotland Veterans of all abilities and skill level.
For more information and to sign up, call the Sporting and Partnership team on 0800 035 6409.
Remembrance Sunday Cenotaph Parade
Each year, Sight Scotland Veterans puts measures in place to enable the veterans we support to attend and take part in the Cenotaph Parade in London for Remembrance Sunday.
For many, attending this historic event would not be possible without this dedicated support.
Find out more about the Cenotaph Parade and how to book your space.
Remembrance Sunday in Edinburgh
This Remembrance Sunday, members of our Independent Living Team will be attending the Remembrance Service at Edinburgh City Chambers on Sunday 9th November at 11.00am. This is a standing, outdoor event, and we warmly invite our veterans to join us as we come together to pay our respects.
We will gather at the front of Edinburgh High Court, Parliament House, EH1 1RQ, at 10.00am before making our way to the service. If you are able to travel independently, or with the support of a friend or family member, they are most welcome to join you on the day.
After the service, we will be heading for tea and coffee, and we’d love for you to join us for a chance to share stories and reflections.
If you would like to attend, please contact our Sight Loss Information Line on 0800 035 6409 to register your interest and let us know if anyone will be accompanying you.
Digital Hub Music Sessions
Whether you already enjoy our music sessions at one of our activity centres or have never joined before, there’s a new way to get involved - right from the comfort of your home.
We’re launching new music-themed groups through our Digital Hub. All you need is access to a phone - landline or mobile - and you’re all set!
If you’ve got a spare hour each week, speak to a member of our staff (or visit reception at any one of our centres) to register your interest. You can also call 0800 035 6409 and ask to speak to a Digital Hub facilitator.
Linburn and Hawkhead Doors Open Day
Both our Hawkhead and Linburn Veterans Centres are taking part in this years Doors Open Day. These events are open to anyone to join, not just veterans or those with visual impairments.
Hawkhead Doors Open Day is taking place on Saturday 6 September, 10:00am-3:00pm. During that time, visitors can explore the centre freely and participate in taster activity sessions, including soft archery, seated fitness sessions, boccia, virtual reality experiences, fruit kebab making, and information stalls, with more activities to be confirmed.
Linburn Doors Open Day is taking place on Saturday 20 September, 10:00am-3:00pm. On the day, there will be guided tours around our two buildings, purpose built for individuals who have sight loss to allow visitors to see the range of activities ton offer. Using sim specs which simulate eye conditions, attendees will be able to engage in an art or daily living project to get a sense of how a person with this condition carries out these tasks.
Archery Clubs
Whether you're looking to give archery a go for the first time, get back into the sport, or just want to socialise and meet some great new people, come along to our Archery Club and get involved!
These clubs are run monthly, so even if you have missed previous dates, you're welcome to join any of the later sessions.
Archery at Hawkhead
Our monthly Archery Club sessions have returned to the Hawkhead Centre. These sessions will be held once a month on a Saturday from 10:00am - 1:00pm and will be led by Head Archery Coach, Rod.
This Summer's sessions are taking place on: Saturday 21 June, Saturday 19 July, Saturday 16 August, Saturday 20 September.
Call our Sporting and Partnership team now to book your space: 0800 035 6409
Not sure what to expect? Read all about our first session here.
The sessions are free to attend for all members of Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans, and their families, and will also include participating guest members from our charity partner, Combat Stress. For more information and to sign up, call the Sporting and Partnership team on 0800 035 6409.
Archery at Linburn
Archery coaching sessions are run at our Linburn Centre by The Veteran Archers every week.
The sessions run on Sundays from 12:00pm to 4:00pm, and veterans can drop in at any time to join in.
Call our Sporting and Partnership team now to book your space: 0800 035 6409
These sessions are free to attend and open to all Sight Scotland Veterans Service Users, and all ability levels.
Join our new Veterans Sight Support Group
Join our new Veterans Sight Support Group (VSSG) in the Lothians.
Our aim is to support veterans living with sight loss through peer connection, shared learning, and access to relevant support services.
For more information and to book your space, call our team on 0800 035 6409.
This group is open to veterans with sight loss who are already receiving or signed up for support from Sight Scotland Veterans, so if you’re not yet registered with us and would like to join the group, please call us on 0800 035 6409 for more details.
Find out more about the support you can receive from Sight Scotland as a veteran here.
Support group for Veterans experiencing Charles Bonnet Syndrome
Sight Scotland Veterans Rehabilitation Team with the support of our Digital Hub, offer telephone support groups for veterans experiencing Charles Bonnet Syndrome.
Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS) is a common condition following sight loss and can also occur where there is a further deterioration in vision. CBS causes visual, silent hallucinations. These hallucinations vary greatly from person to person, from seeing everyday items to experiencing more alarming, an sometimes upsetting, visuals.
Our support group provides an opportunity to share personal experiences, ask questions, and discuss the physiological aspects of CBS. We also offer coping strategies and a mindfulness/relaxation recording. We have had great feedback from past sessions with veterans sharing how the groups helped them cope with CBS.
If you would like to join in with one of our monthly CBS groups, please contact our Information Line on 0800 035 6409 and one of our Rehabilitation Officers will get in touch to discuss.
Other events
Grampian
Activity locations and events in Grampaian
Highland
Activity locations and events in the Highlands
Popular on Sight Scotland
Our new names
We are proud to announce the new names of our two sister charities and share why we changed our names. We’ve continually adapted to ensure we're there for people with sight loss, and will be there in the future too.
Interested in trying a new sport?
We support all veterans with sight loss to get involved in sporting activities, whether it's taking up an old hobby or trying something new.
News and stories
Sight Scotland Veterans Take To The Hills For Life Changing Winter Skills Course
A group of inspirational Sight Scotland Veterans recently ventured up the Cairngorms to participate in a Winter Skills Course organised by Able2Adventure.
Sight Scotland Veterans tee up outing with TopGolf
Sight Scotland Veterans recently organised a trip to TopGolf in Glasgow, giving blind and partially sighted veterans the opportunity to try out the high-tech golf experience.
Sight Scotland Veterans Launch Bowling Team
Sight Scotland Veterans has launched a new lawn bowling team which will now compete in the Vision Impairment Bowling Scotland League (VIBS) with matches taking place all over Scotland.