This year marks a significant milestone for us as we celebrate our 160th anniversary. Since our formation in 1865, we have been dedicated to serving those living with visual impairment in Fife, providing them with the information, skills, and confidence they need to thrive.
Our History
1865 – 1914: The Teaching Era In 1865, a branch of the ‘Edinburgh Society for Teaching the Blind to Read in Their Own Homes’ was formed in Kirkcaldy, focusing on teaching Braille and Moon Type. Later that year, an independent society was established as ‘The Fife & Kinross Society for Teaching the Blind to Read in Their Own Homes’, with Provost Swan as President. Our headquarters and library were set up at Kirk Wynd, Kirkcaldy. The society saw significant leadership changes, with Sir Michael Beveridge and later Sir Michael Barker Nairn serving as Presidents, marking the beginning of a 90-year association with the Nairn family. During this period, members were introduced to woollen manufacture to boost finances, and influential workers like Miss Kate Craig and the Kirkcaldy Ladies Auxiliary Committee played pivotal roles in the society’s activities.
1915 – 1969: The Social Welfare Era The death of Sir Michael Barker Nairn in 1915 led to his son, Sir Michael Nairn, taking over the presidency. Despite the challenges posed by the war, Miss Craig coordinated efforts with the Blind Sailors and Soldiers Hostel, and members knitted goods for the armed services. The appointment of the first Superintendent, Mr William Edgar, and the opening of a new centre in Dunfermline marked significant developments. The Blind Persons Act of 1920 generated additional funds for the society, and a shop was opened in Kirkcaldy. Premises were bought at Townsend Place, and members were supported in various professions. The society’s role evolved from education to social work, with the introduction of talking book machines and innovative tools like the square handwriting frame.
1963 – 1988: The Independent Living Era The formation of the first blind drama group in Cupar in 1963 aimed to perform at future drama festivals. The Social Work (Scotland) Act of 1969 encouraged a ‘casework’ approach to supporting members. The society was organised into five new centres, and initiatives like Dunfermline Sound and Mid-Fife Newstape provided accessible news. A new Rehabilitation Centre was opened in 1985, and the provision of Moon Type and Braille books was transferred to local authority libraries. Mr Allan Suttie was appointed as the new Superintendent/CEO in 1986.
1991 – 2020: The Innovation Era The 1990s marked the society’s focus on assistive technology to support clients in living independently. The first dual qualified Rehabilitation Worker, Judith Barton, specialised in both independent living and mobility. The Fife Sensory Impairment Centre was established in partnership with RNIB and Sense Scotland. In 2006, we became the first agency in the UK to trial Neurological Vision Training (NVT) for patients experiencing sight loss following a stroke. The Right Honourable Gordon Brown became our Honorary President in 2015, and the society launched ‘Nairn Optician’, Scotland’s first charity optician service. The society was renamed ‘Seescape’ in 2018, and our optician service began delivering specialist diabetic and glaucoma clinics on behalf of the NHS in 2020.
2022 and Beyond: The Next Chapter In 2022, our property in Kirkcaldy was sold, and Seescape moved to a new property in Glenrothes, marking the start of the next chapter in our journey. This move was launched by Chairman Doug Stalker and CEO Lesley Carcary, symbolising our continued commitment to serving those with visual impairments.
As we celebrate our 160th anniversary, we reflect on our rich history and look forward to continuing our mission of empowering individuals with visual impairments. Our journey from Fife Society for the Blind to Seescape is a testament to our dedication and resilience, and we are excited to see what the future holds.