The charity held a parliamentary reception to celebrate the support it has provided since 1793

One of Scotland’s oldest charities has marked a milestone year.

Royal Blind held a reception for its supporters, staff and service users at the Scottish Parliament yesterday evening (Wednesday 24 October) to mark its 225th year. The event will be hosted by Stuart McMillan MSP.

The charity was established in Edinburgh 1793 – the same year in which Rabbie Burns wrote Scots Wha Hae. Today, Royal Blind provides care, education and employment for people with sight loss from across the country.

Royal Blind chief executive, Mark O’Donnell, said: “Since Royal Blind’s foundation 225 years ago as a simple workshop providing employment for vision impaired people in Edinburgh, we have transformed the lives of many people with sight loss across Scotland.

“Over the centuries our work has evolved with society’s attitudes towards disability. Today we are Scotland’s largest vision impairment organisation and our mission is to see a community in which blind and partially sighted people are fully included, with their rights and aspirations fully supported.”

The event included speeches from O’Donnell, Stuart McMillan MSP and Clare Haughey MSP, Minister for Mental Health, a performance from Royal Blind School pupils and an exhibition of the organisation’s history.

To mark the milestone year, Royal Blind have also produced a book that examines the evolution of societal perspectives towards sight loss and disability, and how its services evolved over the centuries.

The publication – which can be bought online - includes interviews with former service users and staff and explores issues affecting people with sight loss including education, employment, tackling social isolation and integration.