WHY I LOVE RUNNING MY BUSINESS IN THE HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS… IONA MCLACHLAN

Surf instructor and co-founder of North Coast Watersports

Iona McLachlan and Finn MacDonald set up North Coast Watersports in the spring of 2019, following eight months of travelling and surfing around the world. Originally from Thurso, Iona is the current Scottish Ladies Surf Champion. Offering surf lessons, paddle boarding, equipment hire and ‘SWELL Weekend’ surf retreats, Iona and Finn are catering to an ever-growing market of locals and visitors.

WHY IS NORTH COAST WATERSPORTS BASED IN CAITHNESS?

For surfing, I can honestly say that the Caithness coast is an equal contender to the likes of Hawaii and Australia. I started writing our business plan while working at a surf school in New Zealand. I think I was missing home a little, and I could see that there was enormous potential for a surf school on Scotland’s north coast. It’s got the waves and beaches, but doesn’t have the crowds that you find in other parts of the world. We won a grant from the Caithness Business Fund to buy our equipment and started from there.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT RUNNING YOUR BUSINESS IN CAITHNESS?

I grew up in Caithness, but the wild beauty of the place never fails to impress. There’s a lovely, close-knit community of surfers here, supported by the local surf club. I’ve run a few after-school surf lessons with local primary school children, and in the future I’d love to get surfing on to Thurso High School’s PE curriculum. We’re at such an exciting stage; I really do feel like anything is possible.

Finn MacDonald and Iona McLachlan, North Coast Watersports

WHAT CHALLENGES DOES YOUR LOCATION PRESENT AND HOW HAVE YOU OVERCOME THEM?

Our business is entirely reliant on weather conditions, and Scotland isn’t exactly known for its consistent and predictable weather. We need to be flexible, and I’ll often have to change plans last minute. The cold also puts some people off; they don’t believe that you can comfortably surf this far north. But with a five-millimetre wetsuit, plus hood, booties and gloves, you’re good to go!

HOW HAS HIE SUPPORTED YOUR BUSINESS TO THRIVE IN CAITHNESS?

Finn and I were totally new to the world of business. HIE has been really supportive in helping us find our feet. We’ve got a great relationship with our account manager Keith, who knows the area and knows our business. He phones us every week to check how we’re doing. We’ve also attended finance and social media workshops, and worked with a digital consultant to help raise our online profile. During lockdown, we also received financial support through the Creative, Tourism and Hospitality Enterprises Hardship Fund, which enabled us to safeguard our position, guarantee our survival through the winter season, and keep our hire equipment topped up and in good repair. We were also able to buy a drone, which has helped us get some amazing promotional photos and videos for our website and social media.

HOW HAS COVID-19 AFFECTED YOUR BUSINESS?

Lockdown actually gave us valuable time to get certain aspects of the business up to speed. We created a new online booking system, which replaced our less advanced pencil and paper method! It’s also given us time to think about the future. We’d like to operate from other locations along the coast, provide accommodation, and offer more activities, such as kayaking and yoga. Since lessons resumed in June, we’ve been incredibly busy. I’ve had two days off in three months – the two days when there were no waves!

WALK US THROUGH YOUR IDEAL WORK DAY…

I’ll wake up to sun, and perfect learner waves down at Dunnet Beach, before taking a group of beginners out. The lesson will be lots of fun, and everyone will leave with a newfound love for surfing. After an afternoon class, I’ll head out myself, and hope to see some dolphins in the bay. Maybe Finn will have gone free diving after work, and if we’re lucky, he’ll have caught a lobster. It’s hard physical work being out in the water every day, so good food is very important!

CAN YOU TELL US IN THREE WORDS WHY YOU LOVE RUNNING YOUR BUSINESS IN THE HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS?

Potential. Lifestyle. Wild.