History

In 1793, Edinburgh became the location for the world’s third foundation devoted to the welfare of blind people. 

 

Only Paris and Liverpool can claim to have been earlier in the field. Three men were instrumental in setting up the Edinburgh Asylum for the Relief of the Indigent and Industrious Bline, The Reverend Dr David Johnston, Minister of North Leith; Dr Thomas Blacklock, (himself blind from childhood) and a close friend of Robert Burns, and Mr David Miller, who was also blind. Their fund-raising activities included the publication of a book of sermons by Dr Blacklock. His Grace, The third Duke of Buccleuch became the first President of the Institution, beginning an association which has continued to the present day.

 

To begin with, nine blind persons were admitted to one of the dingy old houses in Shakespeare Square, Edinburgh, now Waterloo Place, a ‘Covenant House’ rented for £15 per year. With increasing public support No 58 Nicolson Street was bought in 1806, No 38 being added in 1822 to provide accommodation for women. Relief for the ‘Indigent and Industrious Blind’ was sought through the teaching of handcrafts so that the trainees could aim for useful employment and seek ultimately to support themselves. Women knitted stocking and dewed the covers of feather beds, while men made the mattresses as well as mats, brushes and baskets.

 

It was said in the very early days that inmates spent a merry life. Though the use of their eyes had been denied to them, they had no restrictions placed on their tongues. When two or three of them were gathered together, they were constantly talking or singing national songs. This musical interest led to a unique development in 1868 – the only brass band in Scotland drawn mainly from blind men and women. By this time, a ward for sick children, a home for blind women and a school unit had been added to the charities properties. 

 

The transfer of functions in 1875 to new premises at Craigmillar Park greatly extended both the capacity and range of the charity, setting the pattern for development into the 21st century along the lines set out in the Royal Charter of Incorporation of 1898. The charter recognised as the operating units of the institutions:-

• The Industrial Department
• The Home for poor blind women
• The school for blind children
• The department for printing, typing, piano tuning.

 

Our objectives were:

• To promote the moral, religious, physical and mental welfare of the blind.
• To give education and industrial training to the juvenile blind.
• To provide employment to blind men and women.
• To supplement their earnings, supply clothing and aid them in sickness and old age.
• To grant aid to indigent blind in all parts of Scotland.

 

Management then as now was the responsibility of a Board of Directors made up of representatives of public bodies and nominees elected by those contributing annually at a fixed rate to the funds of the charity. But the strength of the charity has always lain in the kindness of others to support our work and the network of groups, formal and informal, which give its work unfailing support.

 

The 21st century has seen the progressive development of accommodation and facilities, the end of some services and the introduction of others, notably the establishment of provision for war blinded men and women and for additionally handicapped children. Services have been concentrated on a smaller number of sites where modern standards of care and conditions have been and are being made available. Current services are provided at:

• Administration Offices based at Gillespie Crescent
• Braeside House based at Liberton Brae, Edinburgh
• Scottish Braille Press, sited at Craigmillar Park, Edinburgh
• Royal Blind School, with a Canaan Lane Campus and a Craigmillar Campus.