In Memory of Irene Mackenzie, Audio Describer
Bridget Stevens writes:
It was with great sadness that we heard from her daughter Mary that Irene MacKenzie had died peacefully at the beginning of May.
Many audio describers around Scotland will remember Irene as a towering figure of experience and authority who achieved great things for both ADA(S) and for the service generally. Her insistence on the highest standards of preparation and delivery was an example to us all, not just during her chairmanship of ADA(S) but also when she led the ADA(S) Training Team and as an Assessor and Quality Monitor. Even though details of the AD training now undoubtedly need to be reviewed and updated, it is to be hoped that Irene’s high standards can be built into the fabric of whatever emerges.
“Like so many of us, I fondly remember my training with Irene. She was such an encouraging yet no- nonsensetrainer;IalwaysfeltthatIwasthebestIcouldbeaftertrainingunderher. Irenewasoneof my trainers back in 2011. I still remember her clipped voice and no-nonsense manner. I always felt in safe hands when receiving feedback from Irene: she wouldn’t let bad practice slide but she was encouraging. I always felt like she would help me do my best.”
Anna Fancett, Audio Describer
“I was sad to hear the news about Irene. She, along with Marjorie, trained me back in 2010, at the Tron Theatre, and it soon became clear that she would stand for no nonsense. Praise from Irene was praise indeed! My only – I think – experience of describing with her was when we described ‘The Steamie’ in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness in 2012. This was in the days before videos of the show were available, so I attended every performance that first week, including on my birthday, when I sat beside Irene, scared to make any notes, because we had had it drummed into us on the training course that for the first viewing our eyes and ears must be focused on the stage at all times! It’s been a long time since I saw Irene, but I remember her with affection, and can only aspire to her high standards.”
Alison Downey, Audio Describer
“Irene was my trainer back in 2011. When I’m working now, I can still hear her voice in my head, tutting at my use of adverbs and coyness at describing sex scenes “
Christopher McKiddie, Audio Describer
Jo Barrow, Audio Describer
“When I joined Capital Theatres, I found Irene’s name on the theatres’ list of describers. But we really became close when she was made Chair of ADA(S) and she persuaded me to become her Vice Chair. We traipsed all over Scotland together, visiting every theatre to tell them about audio description and the benefits to a visually impaired audience. I really enjoyed our trips, talking about everything and nothing. Irene had a warmth that put you at ease right away, and she was a kind and generous person who was always interested in the theatre, in me and my family. We were unlikely friends but friends we were.”
Kim McKenna, Capital Theatres Front of House and Access Manager.
A Seat Dedication
In celebration of the life and contribution Irene MacKenzie made to Audio Description in Scotland, and in direct response from emails from some members who contacted us, seeking a way to honour her memory, ADA(S) has launched an appeal to help purchase a seat in Irene’s name, in the auditorium, at the Kings’s Theatre, Edinburgh. The engraved plaque will be in place for 10 years.
We now kindly ask our community of Audio Describers to support this appeal by donating to help meet the cost (£400) of her seat dedication. You can donate by bank transfer to:
Audio Description Association (Scotland)
Bank of Scotland Sort Code 80-09-41
Account No 06001680
Published 28 May, 2026
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Join our Committee
Published 29 December, 2025
Audio Description Association (Scotland) have members who work at live sports, film and arts events across Scotland, providing live narration and enhancing the enjoyment for blind and partially sighted people.
We are searching for new Trustees
We are currently seeking new members to expand the skillset of our current Committee as well as recruiting to fulfil the current vacancy of Treasurer. All positions are Voluntary. We are looking for people who are passionate about continuing to make the Creative Arts, Sports and Concerts accessible especially to those who are blind and partially sighted.
The Committee is responsible for promoting and supporting the work of Audio Description Association (Scotland) as well as overseeing the strategic direction of the organisation. You would be required to attend quarterly virtual meetings, and in-person annual AGM.
We are particularly keen to engage with blind and partially sighted people who use (or have used) our Audio Description service in venues and anyone with 3rd or private sector experience (especially in theatre, arts and sports venues) across all areas.
Interested? Please get in touch by email to admin@adascotland.com
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Wishing all our Members a Very Merry Christmas
Published 17 December, 2025
Our patron Tony Roper has been in touch to wish all our members a very Merry Christmas and New Year. We would like to thank all our Members for their support throughout 2025. As a small charity, we are here to support and provide guidance for audio description. We also hold, free-to-use portable technical kit. Members are vital to us – we wouldn’t be able to exist without your support. Merry Christmas from all at ADA(S).
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Castle of Light
Back for a third spectacular year, 2022 sees Castle of Light transform Edinburgh Castle into a “Kingdom of Colours”. An all-new and expanded show will create unmissable moments as extraordinary projections dance from the castle walls and immersive illuminations guide you throughout the castle in a sea of twinkling lights and colourful displays.
Audio describer Bridget Stevens will accompany a group round the various scenes of the show in different parts of the Castle, while providing live commentary to the group. Each member of the group will be given a special headset to enable them to tune in to the commentary and experience the thrill of the many colours of Edinburgh Castle as reflected in the stories of the people who lived there and the historical events which took place there.
Free parking is available on the Castle Esplanade. If anybody requires a sighted companion for this event, please email Bridget at bridgetstevens@freeuk.com or telephone 07833 645 034. Information about ticketing is available from 0131 668 8631.
Audio Described Theatre online
10 July 2020
While we can’t currently go to a show at the theatre, there are a couple of options to access audio described theatre at home.
The National Theatre is streaming a number of their performances on their website. There are introduction notes provided for each performance, and for some, transcripts of audio description are available. You can find all the shows and information here:
https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/nt-at-home
The National Theatre of Scotland is currently producing ‘Scenes for Survival’- a season of 40+ films created in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. There is a team of audio describers working on these at the moment, and there will be audio description available for every film.
If you go to click the link below and select the film that you’d like to watch, the audio described version is underneath the original version.
https://www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/events/scenes-for-survival
There are also lots of audio described programmes available on TV- if you have never used this service before, this could be the time to give it a try!
If you need any advice or assistance with accessing audio description, get in touch with ADA(S). We’ll do our best to help, from a distance!
Kat Wilson