Black Isle World War II veteran and climbing enthusiast is back on the climbing wall at 95 thanks to Scottish War Blinded; Jim Thomson, from Avoch, took to the indoor wall at the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena; Blind Veterans UK also funded the event
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AN avid rock climber and war veteran has refused to let his failing sight keep him from his passion after he took to a climbing wall again at the age of 95.
Avoch man Jim Thomson has led an extremely active life rock climbing across the world having first caught the climbing and hillwalking bug after completing his war service with the Royal Navy in 1946.
Despite losing his sight to macular degeneration he has continued to enjoy walking into his old age.
And, thanks to the charities Scottish War Blinded and Blind Veterans UK, he was recently able to indulge his other passion for climbing after taking to an indoor wall at Edinburgh International Climbing Arena.
“I’ve climbed in the Alps, Corsica and the Balkans. It was just being outdoors, I just loved it," he said. "Rock climbing was my interest for a number of decades and I was interested to find out if I still had the ability to do at least some climbing once more.
“I was apprehensive having not climbed for many years. But I managed to get to the top of one of the walls, so I felt that was my success. It was what I was hoping to do.
“It’s very hard, but sight loss doesn’t come into it too much as you’re using a lot of touch."
The father-of-three and great-grandfather first began to experience issues with his sight six years ago, and says he is coming to accept and adapt to the impact of his vision impairment.
He still walks when visiting his daughter in Cumbernauld, and enjoys the outdoors whenever he can.
“I think the first thing that really bothered me about sight loss was the fact I couldn’t drive anymore,” said Jim, who also worked for years as a community youth worker.
“Being a hill walker, there’s a woods in the Black Isle about eight miles away and I used to walk that several times a month.
“I know I can’t drive now. I accept it, it’s not going to go away. It’s just getting used to not being able to see the same way.
“I find that I’m looking downwards more with walking now. I’m very conscious of stumbling. I concentrate a lot more on the ground.
“Fortunately I’ve got good friends who take me out and to the shops.
“In life, you go through different stages and with sight loss it’s just the same. I just feel like I’m going into another stage.”
Jim’s sight loss vision and military background made him eligible for Scottish War Blinded’s support.
Since he became a member of the charity last year, Jim has been in trips organised by Scottish War Blinded Outreach Workers, Sheena Menzies and Mick Hilton. He also attends the charity’s Tain lunch group – one of several run by the pair in the Highlands.
And the veteran, who lives alone, explains he very much enjoys extending his friendship network with new connections through the charity.
He said: “I go to the Tain lunch group once a month, and we’ve been to the air museum. After working with aircraft myself it was interesting to see other aircraft.
“Scottish War Blinded helps me with meeting friends and making memories and takes you to places you might not have gone before."Scottish War Blinded gives free support to former servicemen and women of all ages, no matter if they lost their sight during or after service.
Visit www.scottishwarblinded.org or call 0800 035 6409 to refer a veteran to the charity.
