How a walking group is helping people with sight loss

Highland VIP Walking Group members Wendy Urquhart and Janice Urquhart

A group described as the first of its kind in the Highlands is bringing together people with visual impairments for walks.

Angela Clelland started Highland VIP Walking Group three years ago after she started losing her sight.

It has grown from five members in 2021 to almost 50, and last month secured £6,900 National Lottery funding to help support its events.

One of the group's newest members, John Baptie from Arderseir, said: "Being blind can be very lonely. When you come to this group we are all equal - it's nice to feel human again."

Ms Clelland has diabetic retinopathy, a complication of diabetes that causes eye damage.

She said: "Things were really difficult. You feel isolated at times.

"I was part of another walking group but could no longer go out with that group."

She added: "I was fortunate to have friends who supported me and I started this group."

It was set up with help from Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).

In January, Highland VIP Walking Group became an independent organisation in its own right.

Members meet every second Monday for a walk around Inverness, starting near Inverness Cathedral.

The group also meets for lunches and has arranged open water swimming and paddle boarding sessions at an outdoor activities centre.

Walking group volunteer Pete Doughty, left, with group members Evan McDonald, centre, and John Baptie

Janice Urquhart, from Inverness, joined two years ago.

She said it was important to her to meet people going through similar situations.

"I was working until 10 years ago and had to give up because of my sight loss," she said.

"But having to give up my car was the hardest thing. I loved driving."

Fiona Campbell, originally from Aberdeenshire and now living in Inverness, said she also experienced distress at having to give up her driving licence.

She went blind due to childhood cataracts, before later recovering.

Ms Campbell has since been affected by glaucoma, a condition that causes damage to the optic nerve.

She said: "Growing up it was never expected I would be able to learn to drive. To give up driving was really upsetting."

Ms Campbell said being part of the walking group helped.

She said: "For me it's about meeting people. And I can get a lot of advice too."

Guide dog Vespa is also a regular on the walks and meet-ups

Another member, Evan McDonald, from Ardersier, said: "It gets me out of the house.

"I just enjoy getting out into the open."

Sarah Campbell, originally from Lewis in the Western Isles, added: "I enjoy meeting people, socialising and going out for lunch.

"I do the walk all the time and like the different smells and noises."

Wendy Urquhart, from Alness, started losing her sight during the Covid pandemic.

She said she struggled with her condition initially and came across the walking group on social media at a point when she felt ready to socialise again.

"I feel better for being out and meeting people in similar situations as yourself - and knowing when you've done silly things at home you are not alone and others have done the same thing."

Founder Angela Clelland with group member Martin Hadley

Martin Hadley ran a furniture repair shop and was a keen mountain biker before he was diagnosed with primary progressive MS in 1994.

He continues to take part in pursuits, including sailing and is a British champion in the Hansa 303 class and raced from Greenock to Glasgow to promote 2012's Paralympic Games.

Now living in Avoch, he is another Highland VIP Walking Group member.

He said with a smile: "I wear spectacles with polarised lenses to cut out glare when I'm outside or watching TV.

"Luckily they make me look like a rock star."

Volunteers Hazel Smith and Pete Doughty said they drew huge benefits from being part of the group.

"I love it. I love helping people and seeing what it means to people," Ms Smith said.

Mr Doughty said the role involved describing scenes along the walks.

He said: "It could be ducks on the river, or what is happening on a new building site."

The former milkman added: "I really enjoy the social side. That was such a big part of my working life."