Saltcoats woman Norma Baillie has received an MBE from the Princess Royal at a glittering event at Holyrood Palace.

Norma lost her sight at the age of nine and now runs her own company to address the needs of others whose vision is impaired.

She receives the accolade from Princess Anne "for her services to blind and partially sighted people".

Norma said: "During my visit to Holyrood Palace, I was totally overwhelmed by the whole experience.

"Without the continuous support from my amazing family, friends, team and colleagues, I honestly believe I would not have received my MBE award.

"For the past 30 years, I have had the privilege and opportunity to work with countless people during their sight loss journey.

"I am very proud and thankful that I have supported people who have low or no vision during their most vulnerable, frightening and life-changing time.

"Receiving this award has shown me that you can achieve your goals despite the challenges and obstacles that having a disability creates."

Norma has spent three decades delivering frontline training that enables those living with all levels of sight impairment to gain independence and confidence.

Her sight was problem-free in her early life - but while in primary five at school, she was asked to complete work that had been put on the blackboard and couldn't see it.

After being taken for tests, Norma was told she had Stargardt disease, which affects the retina, and that she was going blind.

But she has always refused to let it get her down and believes that others like her with sight loss should have the power to live their lives without limits.

It was then she was informed that she was going blind - but she continues to live her life to the fullest.

As her business PrioritEyes has grown, the knowledge and professionalism she offers her clients and staff have proved invaluable.

Her company has been highly acclaimed and has been awarded Positive About Disability status and Disability Confident Employer status.

Norma trained as a Rehabilitation Workers Professional Network (RWPN) mentor to support workers not in her team, doing so on a voluntary basis.

She became the volunteer RWPN representative for Scotland and was proactive in the organisation of their first conference.

While running the company, she continues to work as a rehab specialist.

And Norma continues to challenge herself in remarkable ways, showing just what can be done despite adversity.

She completed a tandem parachute jump at 12,000 feet, abseiled down the Titan Crane in Clydebank and conquered all the 2,867 feet of Goatfell on Arran.