A passion and pride for Scotland

A year in 20 photographs 17/20  – the Quiraing on the Isle of Skye

When I started Skinny Tyres in 2009 I didn’t have a plan. I was naive to the intricacies of business and no one I knew ran their own business. I just dived in at the deep end. What I did have, was a passion for cycling, and, more than that, a love of, and a real pride for Scotland. 

The idea of running cycling holidays in Scotland had popped into my head after returning from a cycling trip to the French and Italian Alps. I joined my local club for a 100-mile ride around Highland Perthshire that weekend. It was a stunning day and I realised that the mountains and landscapes I craved to cycle in were also just on my doorstep. I had been riding through them for years, but the familiarity had blinded me to their charms. It took a few more years until I plucked up enough courage to leave full-time paid employment and just go for it, but I was determined that I would start a business where people from around the world would come to Scotland to ride their bikes and see what a beautiful country we live in.

A passion and pride for Scotland is the driving force for Skinny Tyres

Fast-forward 15 years and this photograph of cyclists ascending the Quiraing on the Isle of Skye encapsulates my passion and pride for Scotland and why I started Skinny Tyres all those years ago. 

We have had our ups and downs, both physically and mentally. No one told me that running my own business would be such an all-consuming affair, that I wouldn’t be able to clock out at 5:30 pm and go and relax with some family time. I have also made many life-long friends, ridden in amazing places – and cycled through the Channel Tunnel! – and learnt a lot about myself and my family. 

My love of Scotland and my desire to share that love with others has sustained me through all these years. There are still so many amazing areas in Scotland we need to cycle through and I cannot wait to share these places with you. 

Ride the Quiraing on the Isle of Skye on our Hebridean Island Hopper cycling holiday in Scotland