Tag: Travel

NHS Lothian: Building a modern travel health service

International travel has changed significantly over the past decade, increasing the need for accessible, high-quality travel health advice and vaccination services. In NHS Lothian, we have worked to develop a modern service that provides safe, comprehensive care before people travel abroad.

As part of Scotland’s Vaccination Transformation Programme, which came into effect in 2022, responsibility for travel vaccinations moved from GP practices to health boards. In Lothian, we used this opportunity not simply to replace the previous system, but to create a more comprehensive service.

Our model brings together NHS travel vaccinations, expert travel health advice, private vaccinations, antimalarial prescriptions and an individual travel health assessment in one place. Previously, many patients received NHS vaccines from their GP but then had to attend other providers for additional vaccines or malaria prevention. By offering a more holistic service, we can reduce the number of places patients need to visit and help them prepare more effectively for their travels.

A travel clinic has existed within the Regional Infectious Diseases Unit for more than three decades, but the service has expanded significantly in recent years. Activity has risen from around 1,600 new appointments each year to around 12,000 annually, reflecting both growing demand and the value patients place on a comprehensive service.

With such high demand on the service, we know that access to appointments has sometimes been challenging. We have listened carefully to feedback and introduced an online booking system to improve accessibility, although we recognise there have been some issues as the new system is being embedded. As an NHS service, our digital systems meet strict standards for IT governance and patient data protection.

Feedback from patients who attend the clinic has been extremely positive. Our team works incredibly hard to deliver high-quality care and expert advice, and we are proud of the service that has been built.

We also want people to know there are other travel health providers across Lothian. Most travel vaccines and antimalarial medicines are not funded by the NHS and can also be accessed privately through pharmacies and travel clinics. Travellers can also check in advance what they may need by visiting TravelHealthPro: https://travelhealthpro.org.uk

We want the NHS Lothian Travel Health Service to continue evolving so that we can provide accessible, high-quality and comprehensive care. We are grateful for the patience, support and feedback of the public as we continue to improve the service.

If you need to arrange an appointment with our Travel Clinic go to: 

https://services.nhslothian.scot/travelclinics/find-an-nhs-lothian-travel-clinic/ and select ‘Book Online’

Scottish Government announces free rail travel for companions of visually impaired people

Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans welcome the Scottish Government announcement today that free rail travel for companions of visually impaired people has been made a permanent policy across all ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper services.

Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans have been campaigning for this ‘life-changing’ decision for over three years through its Fair Rail campaign. The call for a new national policy arose when veterans at Sight Scotland Veterans raised an equality issue: visually impaired people had to pay for a companion on every rail journey, making travel unaffordable, while travelling without support was unsafe. They also highlighted the confusing range of concession and companion schemes across Scotland.

This news means, that from 1 April 2026, anyone with an Eye Plus One National Entitlement Card (NEC) can now travel with a companion throughout Scotland at no extra cost.

The announcement follows a year-long pilot, during which feedback from over 1,500 visually impaired NEC holders was overwhelmingly positive. Among those who knew about the scheme and had travelled by rail:

  • 84 percent used it, showing how popular it became once people were aware of it.
  • Over 95 percent of users reported benefits across every area measured, including independence, mobility, confidence when travelling, travel costs, and feeling safer and more supported.
  • Nearly nine in ten said the scheme had changed how they use rail, with 84 percent taking more trips and 69 percent visiting new places they had not travelled to before.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “I’m pleased to confirm that from 1 April 2026, free companion rail travel for visually impaired people will become a permanent offering. This change will support around 8,000 visually impaired National Entitlement Cardholders who rely on ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper services.

“Over the past year, the pilot has clearly shown the profound impact that affordable, accessible rail travel can have for blind and partially sighted people. We’ve seen people travelling more often, gaining confidence, and needing less staff assistance. Feedback from Sight Scotland, Sight Scotland Veterans, and – most importantly – passengers themselves has been overwhelmingly positive.

“By making this scheme permanent, we’re opening up greater access to work, education, communities, and everyday life in ways many of us take for granted. This decision strengthens independence, reduces isolation, and improves quality of life, and it reflects our wider commitment to ensuring Scotland’s railway is accessible, affordable, and welcoming for everyone who depends on it.”

Anne Dignan, from Edinburgh, who is deafblind and has macular degeneration, comments: “This news is genuinely life changing. Knowing that free companion rail travel is here to stay gives me confidence and freedom I didn’t have before.

“I can plan trips without worrying about the cost of a companion ticket, travel more often, and explore new places that I couldn’t before without the extra financial burden.

“Thanks to Sight Scotland, Sight Scotland Veterans and the tireless work of campaigners, free companion travel means independence, inclusion and the opportunity for people like me with sight loss to access rail travel right across Scotland.”

Agnes Houston, 76, a former army nurse from Coatbridge, who lives with both dementia and visual impairment, says: “I am overwhelmed by this news. It means so much to me.

“Over the past year it has genuinely changed my life, and I was becoming quite worried about the pilot ending. Because of my visual impairment and dementia, I can no longer travel alone, especially over long distances, and I simply could not afford to pay for a companion. The difference the free companion rail travel has made to my mental health is extraordinary.”

Craig Spalding, Chief Executive of Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans, comments: “We are delighted the Scottish Government has made free companion rail travel a permanent policy – a major step towards making train travel truly affordable and accessible for everyone.

“After more than three years of campaigning, this is a huge victory for our campaigners, service users, and our External Affairs and Campaigns team, whose hard work has made this possible.”

Phil Campbell, ScotRail Customer Operations Director, said: “We’re delighted the Scottish Government’s free companion rail travel scheme for visually impaired people is being made permanent and proud to be able to play our part in improving the customer experience for people who are blind or have a visual impairment.

“This is a major step towards empowering people to be able to travel with confidence and independence, making train journeys safer and more welcoming for everyone. ScotRail is committed to ensuring the railway works for all of our customers, and the scheme is part of our wider efforts to improve accessibility across our network.”

For more information visit sightscotland.org.uk.

Jet2 gears up for bumper weekend and launches new sale

  • Holidaymakers can enjoy an extra £100 off per booking on Summer 26 holidays with the UK’s favourite tour operator
  • New sale is on top of £100 off per person and super low £25 per person booking deposit too!

The second weekend January is a bumper weekend for holiday bookings, and Jet2 is spreading even more sunshine by launching an unmissable sale that gives customers even bigger holiday savings.

The UK’s favourite tour operator is giving customers the chance to enjoy £100 off all Summer 26 bookings by using the code NOTHINGBEATS. This applies to all holidays and city breaks departing between 1st April and 31st October 2026, but customers need to hurry as the code ends at 23.59 on 12th January 2026.

This new sale comes on top of an existing sale offering customers £100 off per person on ALL holidays, including Summer 26 holidays. As a result, a family of four can enjoy a saving of £500, on top of millions of Free Child Places this summer, and a couple can save £300 when booking a Summer 26 holiday.

The good news does not end there, as the UK’s largest tour operator is also running a super-low £25 per person deposit across Summer 26 holidays, which ends on 23.59 on 12th January 2026.

Jet2holidays is gearing up for a bumper weekend, as customers look to book a holiday with the award-winning company. The tour operator has reported continued demand from customers relishing the famous ‘Nothing beats’ experience, including the fact that booking a Jet2holiday means flying with Jet2.com and their friendly crew.

As well as a VIP customer service from start to finish, customers can enjoy 22kg baggage allowance, 10kg hand luggage, under-seat bag, return transfers, as well as ABTA and ATOL protection.

Customers looking to book a flight with Jet2.com this Winter also have plenty to smile about, whether it’s for some Winter Sun, a ski break or a city break, as the award-winning airline has also today released 70,000 one-way seats departing until 31st March 2026 at £49 or less.

David Hills, Chief Customer Officer at Jet2 said: “We know that this weekend is shaping up to be a busy one, with customers booking their spot in the sunshine with us.

“We always want to give our customers even more to smile about, so we are delighted to be announcing even more money off our award-winning holidays this Summer.

“With truly fantastic deals on offer, alongside our famous customer service and nothing beats reputation, we are looking forward to welcoming lots of happy customers onboard with us this summer, including of course from our brand-new UK airport base at London Gatwick.”

To view terms and conditions please visit: https://www.jet2holidays.com/promotions

To take advantage of this sale, visit:

https://www.jet2holidays.com/ and https://www.jet2.com/

All aboard for savings: the Great British Rail Sale returns!

Discounted train tickets from almost all operators in Britain will be available to buy between 6 – 12 January 2026.

  • the Great British Rail Sale is back, with huge discounts on over 3 million tickets – making train travel more affordable for everyone 
  • travel by rail between 13 January and 25 March 2026 on thousands of popular routes
  • sale comes after the UK government has frozen rail fares for the first time in 30 years, putting money back in passengers’ pockets

Millions of discounted train tickets for half-term activities, weekend getaways and commuting will be up for grabs next week. The week-long Great British Rail Sale, running from 6 to 12 January 2026, will give passengers the chance to save well over 50% on many advance and off-peak tickets.

The reduced fares can be used to travel on thousands of popular routes between 13 January and 25 March 2026. Nearly all train operators are taking part, with routes spanning the length and breadth of Britain.

For those looking to visit museums or schedule meetings in the capital, £10 journeys are on offer from south coast destinations like Portsmouth to London Waterloo – that’s a 59% saving. Or for those planning a quick getaway abroad, journeys from Manchester Piccadilly to Manchester Airport will cost just £1.20, down from £2.90.

The sale comes as the government eases the cost of living for hard-working people by freezing rail fares for the first time in 30 years.

The government is also bringing in major reform to Britain’s rail services by establishing Great British Railways (GBR) – the new, nationalised organisation to run the railway. GBR will bring together 17 different organisations under a single directing mind, cutting through bureaucracy to deliver a rail network that passengers can rely on and be proud of.

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: “The Rail Sale is back – and it means further discounts for passengers as we freeze rail fares for the first time in 3 decades to help ease the cost of living.

“We all want to see cheaper rail travel, so whether you’re planning a half-term getaway, or visiting friends or family, this sale offers huge reductions. It’s all part of our plans to build a railway owned by the public, that works for the public.”

This is the fourth year of the Rail Sale, with last year’s sale saving passengers around £8 per journey. Last year, over 1 million tickets were sold, bringing in over £9 million in ticket sale revenue for the industry. 

Travelling by train remains one of the quickest and greenest ways to get around, with the government committed to getting more people onto the railways, cutting carbon emissions and freeing up vital space on our roads for emergency services and freight.

Jacqueline Starr, Executive Chair and CEO of Rail Delivery Group, said: “The Rail Sale gives people even more reasons to choose rail, whether it’s reconnecting with loved ones or exploring new places. Rail continues to play a vital role in the lives of millions, supporting local economies and offering a more sustainable way to travel.

“This year’s Rail Sale will offer millions of discounted advance fares across the network from 6 January, giving customers the chance to save on journeys big and small. By making rail travel more accessible, we hope even more people will enjoy the convenience and comfort of travelling by rail.”

Patricia Yates, CEO of VisitBritain, said: “The new year provides the perfect opportunity to hop onto a train and explore Britain’s great tourism treasures sustainably, boosting the economy by supporting our fantastic visitor experiences and attractions.

“Whether it’s a cultural break in one of our vibrant regional cities, a set jetting stay at a world-famous filming backdrop or the friendly welcome from our picturesque coastal and rural destinations, Britain has something for everyone to enjoy, creating memories of a lifetime for visitors.”

British travellers told to expect checks under EU’s Entry-Exit System

Travellers to Europe subject to new entry registrations from today under a phased implementation of the EU’s new digital border system

The Entry Exit System (EES) requires non-EU citizens to register at the EU border by scanning their passport and having their fingerprints and photograph taken. 

From today, 12 October, British passport-holders will need to register on their first visit to a country where EES checks are operating. Registration is valid for a rolling three-year period or until the passport expires.  

The new system will be phased in over six months, meaning different ports may have varying requirements until April 2026. This should allow for a gradual implementation that minimises disruption, particularly at peak periods. 

On exit, and for subsequent visits to a participating country, travellers will only need to scan their passport and provide either fingerprints or a photograph at the border. 

EES will be a requirement when entering Schengen area countries including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. EES will not be required when travelling to Ireland and Cyprus.  

For travellers using the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or Eurostar at St Pancras International, the process will take place at the border before they leave the UK. 

The government has supported these juxtaposed ports (Eurostar, St Pancras; Eurotunnel, Folkestone; and the Port of Dover) with £10.5m of funding for border infrastructure to make the change as smooth as possible for travellers.

While EES is an EU system, the government has been working closely with the travel industry, ports and transport operators to help raise public awareness and understanding of the border changes. 

Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, said: “We recognise that EES checks will be a significant change for British travellers, which is why we have worked closely with our European partners to ensure the rollout goes as smoothly as possible.  

“The UK and EU have a shared objective of securing our borders and these modernisation measures will help us protect our citizens and prevent illegal migration.”

Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation, Keir Mather, said:  “We’ve backed our ports and operators with £10.5 million to help them get ready for the EU’s new Entry/Exit System, ensuring they have the infrastructure and systems in place to manage the changes.

“Our priority is to minimise disruption for travellers and hauliers, particularly at our busiest border crossings. We’ll continue working closely with European partners and local resilience forums to keep traffic flowing and journeys smooth.”

Travellers do not need to take any action before travelling and the process is free. Registration will take place upon arrival at the EU border and may take slightly longer than previous border checks. 

Whilst the checks should only take 1-2 minutes for each person, they may lead to longer wait times at border control upon arrival in the Schengen area. At the juxtaposed ports, where registration will be completed in the UK prior to departure, there may be longer waits at busy times. Eurotunnel, Eurostar and the Port of Dover have plans in place to minimise disruption as much as possible. 

Last month, the UK government launched an awareness campaign to help prepare British travellers for the new system.  

Messages advising the public about the changes have been shared across government social media channels, by transport operators and on travel websites. Up to date information can also be found on GOV.UK and FCDO’s Travel Aware pages. 

The EU has introduced EES to replace passport stamping for all non-EU citizens, helping them to track compliance with the 90-day visa-free travel rule and strengthen their border control. 

British citizens covered by Withdrawal Agreement residence documents and UK-EU dual citizens using their EU passports will be exempt from the new requirements. 

Children under 12 will not be fingerprinted but under the new EU rules, all travellers, including babies, will be photographed and have digital records created. 

The UK Government has rolled out its own Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, which is a digital permission to travel for visitors who do not need a visa for short stays, or do not have another valid UK immigration status prior to travelling to the UK.​

Lorna Slater MSP: End of peak rail fares a Green win for everyone in Lothian 

GREEN WIN AS WE SAY GOODBYE TO  PEAK RAIL FARES

The abolition of peak rail fares is a huge win for commuters and climate, says Lorna Slater, the Scottish Green MSP for Lothian.

The policy was first introduced as a pilot project, which was secured by the Scottish Greens in 2023 while they were in Government, but it was soon dropped by the SNP in 2024. 

In the year between the pilot project ending and the Scottish Government permanently introducing the Green policy for cheaper rail fares, commuters across Scotland’s largest cities have forked out thousands of pounds to travel. 

At present, people from Glasgow had to spend £32 to get a train to Edinburgh. Now that peak rail fares are scrapped, this will be reduced by 48% 

Lorna Slater MSP for Lothian said: “This is a really welcome change and one that Greens worked hard to deliver. 

“I am delighted that the Scottish Government has agreed to remove this unfair tax on workers, students and regular travellers. For too long, peak rail fares have penalized people who often have no say on when and where they need to travel. 

“Commuters in Lothian will save hundreds, if not thousands of pounds per year from peak rail fares ending permanently. I hope that this will encourage more people to leave their cars at home and catch the train, making our roads safer and doing their part for the planet. 

“Travel shouldn’t cost the earth. The Scottish Greens want to continue making our public transport here in Scotland the best it possibly can be; affordable, accessible, and ecofriendly, so that we can protect our planet and make our roads and communities cleaner, greener and safer for everyone.” 

ScotRail: Peak fares ‘gone for good’

From today – Monday, 1 September – customers will pay the same fare no matter what time they travel, or the day of the week.

The policy announced by the Scottish Government in May this year is aiming to make train fares simpler, more flexible, and provide better value for money for rail users. A further aim of the change is to get more people to leave the car at home and travel by rail instead.

Removing peak fares will mean significant savings for customers across the country, with some journeys set to reduce by almost 50 per cent – including those between Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Examples of the massive savings to be made include:

JourneyReturn fare from 1 SeptemberSavingPercentage saving
Edinburgh – Glasgow£16.80£15.8048%
Inverkeithing – Edinburgh£7.40£5.2041%
Perth – Dundee£11.20£5.1031%
Glasgow – Stirling£10.80£7.4040%
Inverurie – Aberdeen£10.10£2.5020%
Inverness – Elgin£16.30£8.5034%

There are some routes where no off-peak fare exists because the same fare is already available at any time of the day, and as such, customers will not see any change in those areas.

Customers can now check the ScotRail website, or the app, to see Off-Peak fares for their route, and get set for savings when peak fares are removed. The ScotRail website also has a fare comparison tool that helps customers find the best ticket option for their travel needs.

As part of the move to simpler and more flexible fares, a number of other tickets will also be updated:

  • Season Tickets will remain at their current pricing until 27 September, offering exceptional value. For regular travellers, this represents a saving of at least 40 per cent compared to purchasing five Anytime Day Return tickets at pre-1 September prices. This discount was part of a 12-month offer launched in September 2024.
  • Flexipass tickets will have adjusted pricing from 1 September to ensure they continue to offer a saving compared to buying multiple Anytime Single or Return tickets, while still providing flexibility for part-time or hybrid commuters.
  • Super Off-Peak Day Return tickets will be withdrawn, as the removal of peak fares means customers now benefit from great value fares all day, every day.
  • Railcards, concessions, and enhanced discounts will continue to be available, with most remaining valid for travel after 9.15am, in line with existing conditions.
    These changes are designed to make rail travel easier to understand and more accessible, while continuing to offer excellent value for a wide range of customers.

The significant change to the fare structure will support the Scottish Government’s ambition to achieve net zero, providing more people with the opportunity to use trains as their primary form of transport.

ScotRail was recently ranked as one of the best train operating companies for customer satisfaction. With an overall satisfaction of 91 per cent, ScotRail is performing better than all other large operators in Britain.

It has been a hugely successful summer for the operator, with more than 200,000 customers travelling on services to attend events across the country, including the Tall Ships Races in Aberdeen, music events at Hampden Park, the Edinburgh Festivals, and Oasis in concert at Murrayfield stadium.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop said: “Public ownership has created the opportunity to deliver a railway which is run for the benefit of the nation. ScotRail is one of the fastest growing operators, with one of the best passenger satisfaction rates and we are building even further on this success by removing peak fares for good.

“We want more people to choose to travel by public transport for work, study and leisure but we know that many are still struggling with cost-of-living pressures.

“By removing peak fares, we are making ticketing more simple and more straightforward while at the same time supporting a shift towards sustainable public transport, protecting the climate, and saving people money.”

Joanne Maguire, ScotRail Managing Director, said: “This is fantastic news, not only for our existing customers, but for everyone across the country considering rail travel for their commute or leisure journeys.

“Travelling by train remains one of the most convenient ways to get around, and with simpler, more affordable fares, we hope to see many more people choose ScotRail.”

Families could save up to £350 in Loganair’s Tartan Sale

Loganair, the UK’s leading regional airline, has launched its biggest-ever Tartan Sale, offering customers 17% off flights across its network and potential savings of up to £350 on selected journeys.

The sale runs from 29 August to 9 September 2025, covering a wide range of destinations across the airline’s extensive network of over 70 routes. Travellers can book discounted flights from 22nd September onwards.

Coinciding with the Tartan Sale, Loganair has also released its Summer 2026 schedule, enabling customers to plan ahead and secure reduced fares for next year’s peak travel season. This includes services linking key UK cities, lifeline island routes, and connections to major European destinations.

Through its partnerships with leading international airlines, including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Aer Lingus, Loganair customers can also take advantage of onward connectivity via hubs such as London Heathrow, Manchester and Dublin, all on a single booking with through-checked luggage.

Luke Lovegrove, chief commercial officer at Loganair, said: “Loganair’s Tartan Sale gives customers the opportunity to book ahead and access reduced fares across a wide range of routes.

“The launch of our Summer 2026 schedule alongside the sale means there is more scope than ever for travellers to plan trips in advance, whether that’s for leisure, business, or to connect with friends and family. Our focus remains on providing reliable, convenient services that link communities across our network and beyond.”

Earlier this year, Loganair was ranked second in the Which? annual customer survey of short-haul airlines, achieving a 72% customer score. The airline received a five-star rating for customer service and four stars for booking, boarding, and cleanliness.

Additionally, the airline was named the most punctual for UK arrivals and departures in Q2 2025 by the UK Civil Aviation Authority, with 86% of its flights arriving and departing on time.

Customers flying with Loganair benefit from a 21kg luggage allowance as standard and convenient connections to the wider UK through the airline’s growing network and partner carriers.

Bookings can be made at loganair.co.uk until midnight on 9 September 2025 via this link: 

https://www.loganair.co.uk/?utm_campaign=tartan-sale&utm_medium=press&utm_source=lm

Jet2.com announces children under 2 will travel for free

Leading leisure airline Jet2.com has further strengthened its family-friendly offer, by announcing that children under 2 will now travel for FREE.

The announcement means that Jet2.com is the only UK airline to not charge a fee for children under 2 to travel to destinations across Europe, the Canaries and the Mediterranean.

This new policy applies to all new bookings made from today (Friday 22nd August 2025), and children must be under 2 at the time of travel for it to apply.

With children under 2 already going free when they travel with Jet2holidays, this now means that all under 2’s travel free with Jet2 – whether on a package holiday with Jet2holidays or on a seat-only flight with Jet2.com.

In addition, Jet2.com has introduced a new family-friendly change to its child and infant equipment allowance, meaning that no excess baggage will be charged for child or infant equipment being checked into the hold. This policy is effective immediately.

Alongside an extra 10kg baggage allowance for children under 2[i], customers can bring up to two items per child under 2 free of charge to be checked into the hold.

These can include a collapsible pushchair, pram or buggy, car seat or booster seat, baby carrier, or travel cot and the 10kg weight limitation no longer applies to these items.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said: “As a family friendly airline and tour operator, we are always looking at how we can make the experience even better for families travelling with us.

“By putting our customers first and making these changes, meaning that all children under 2 now travel for free whether on a package holiday or a seat-only flight, we are making travel even more accessible for millions of families.”  

To take advantage of these fantastic savings, visit:

 www.jet2.com or www.jet2holidays.com.

Blind comedian highlights accessibility barriers at Fringe

Performing at the world’s largest arts festival is no small feat. But for blind comedian Jamie MacDonald, just getting to his venue each day reveals a challenge that blind and partially sighted people face every day: getting to work.

Jamie, who is blind due to a degenerative eye condition, is returning to the Edinburgh Fringe with a brand-new show. Navigating busy streets, temporary venues, and the unpredictable festival layout can be difficult without the support that many sighted performers might never need to consider. 

“Getting about Edinburgh is already a total nightmare for blind people and folk with mobility issues,” Jamie says. “Medieval folk seem to have been four-feet tall with a love for steep, stone stairs.

“When you add in the road closures, crowds and performers that the biggest art festival in the world brings, moving about becomes lethal!”   

With no official assistance service available, Jamie reached out to RNIB, the national charity supporting people with sight loss. Two of the charity’s volunteers, Bill and Iain, stepped forward to support Jamie with getting to and from his venue throughout his run. Although providing one-to-one travel support isn’t within the charity’s usual role, RNIB Scotland was happy to help connect Jamie with volunteers ready to help, coordinated by Community Social Action Manager Jane Coates.  

Although Jamie is known for tackling blindness with humour, he’s serious about challenging the way society views disability. As he puts it, being blind seems to automatically make him a “role model,” whether he wants to be or not. He’s using comedy to question why disabled people are expected to be heroes rather than simply being complex, contradictory, or even a bit difficult – just like anyone else.  

That same questioning extends beyond attitudes to the practical barriers disabled performers face. 

“There must be a tonne of disabled performers who face the same or similar struggles to me,” Jamie says. “It would be sad, but not surprising if it put some people off coming to perform. I’m not pointing the finger at anyone here, I just think there could be more of a focus put on accessibility.” 

The Fringe has introduced several accessibility initiatives in recent years such as audio-described and BSL-interpreted performances. However, support and accessibility can vary depending on the venue. The historic layout of Edinburgh, coupled with the festival’s pop-up nature, adds to the challenge. 

Jane Coates, Community Social Action Manager for RNIB Scotland, says Jamie’s situation reflects a wider issue: “Accessibility shouldn’t come down to individual goodwill,” she says. “We need systemic solutions that make it easier for blind and partially sighted people to access cultural life, as audience members, and as creators and performers too.” 

For Jamie, the support from volunteers hasn’t solved the wider challenges, but it’s made all the difference in making the Fringe possible this year. 

“Bill and Iain are legends,” he says. “I’m lucky. I’ve got my volunteers in shining armour, Iain and Bill, guiding me through the mayhem.

“Legends without whose help and support would probably see me seriously injured or worse, late for a show. So a heart-felt thanks to them.” 

** Jamie MacDonald is performing ‘Toxic Bastard’ at Venue 24: Dram at Gilded Balloon Patter House from 15 – 24 August.

Tickets available at:

https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/jamie-macdonald-toxic-bastard