Sighted-Guide service
We have partnered with The Royal National Institute of Blind People Scotland (RNIB Scotland) to offer a free sighted-guide service to visually impaired and blind Fringe-goers.
We have partnered with The Royal National Institute of Blind People Scotland (RNIB Scotland) to offer a free sighted-guide service to visually impaired and blind Fringe-goers.
Attending Fringe shows can be particularly challenging for blind and visually impaired people. During August, Edinburgh becomes more crowded and noisy, while elements such as temporary fencing and shifting queues make the city less easy to navigate.
Many blind and visually impaired festival-goers rely on friends, family or support workers to move between venues, but not everyone has someone available. The sighted‑guide service helps bridge that gap by offering practical support so attendees can navigate the city at its busiest and enjoy the full Fringe experience.
The Fringe Sighted Guides pool will run from 07 – 31 August 2026. Requests for volunteers are now open, and the deadline to submit a request is Friday 31 July. RNIB requires at least 14 days’ notice to find a volunteer.
While RNIB will do its best to meet every request, the high number of shows and limited number of trained volunteers means they cannot guarantee a match for every preferred day or time.
How to request a Sighted Guide
1. Contact RNIB
Email [email protected] to request a sighted guide. A sighted guide can support you for up to four hours between 10:00 and 22:00. Please include the date and time of the show(s) you want to attend. RNIB will then arrange a phone call or Teams meeting to discuss your request.
2. Matching with a guide
RNIB will share your request with its pool of sighted guides and connect you with someone who is available. If no guide is available, RNIB will let you know.
3. Coordinating with your guide
Once matched, you can communicate directly with your guide. All sighted-guide support is provided within the city, so we recommend arranging a convenient meeting point such as a train station, bus stop or ticket office.
If you have any issues before or on the day, contact RNIB by emailing [email protected] or phone 07849 307507 or 07858 687528.
4. Booking your tickets
Book your tickets and be sure to add a free Personal Assistant (PA) ticket to cover your sighted guide. You can use our access bookings service to book tickets for yourself and your sighted guide (who would be using a PA ticket).
Frequently asked questions
If you have any questions that are not covered below or you would like to get in touch, please email [email protected].
You can request a sighted guide via RNIB Scotland at [email protected].
All guides complete a day of sighted‑guide training delivered by RNIB Scotland. They also undergo PVG checks before being matched with any participant, ensuring they are suitable and safe to work with blind and visually impaired people.
No. This is a free service, but you will need to pay for your own tickets to any Fringe shows you choose to attend. Your guide will be covered by a free Personal Assistant (PA) ticket.
A sighted guide supports blind and visually impaired Fringe‑goers by helping them move safely and confidently between venues. This can include meeting them at an agreed location, navigating busy streets, finding the correct venue entrance, locating facilities such as box offices or toilets, and guiding them to their seat.
If you haven’t booked your tickets yet:
Please contact our Access Bookings team by phone, email, WhatsApp (text only) or in person to book both your own ticket and a free Personal Assistant (PA) ticket for your guide. At this time, you can’t add a PA ticket yourself through the standard online checkout. PA tickets must be added by the Access Bookings team.
If you’ve already booked your tickets:
You can add a PA ticket to bookings you’ve made already. Once you’ve been matched with a sighted guide, just contact the Access Bookings team by phone, email, WhatsApp (text only) or in person and they’ll add the free PA ticket to your existing booking.
Very little. Please treat anyone using the sighted-guide service just like any other audience member attending with a Personal Assistant and using a PA ticket. No additional steps or adjustments are required from you, unless specific access requirements are outlined in the booker’s ticket.