A former shooting manager for a top hotel has set up his own business in the Borders, offering rural sporting packages to visitors.
Ian Hendy established Exclusively Scottish to offer tailored holiday packages for small groups looking to enjoy high-quality accommodation and the best shooting and fishing available.
Ian, who used to work at the Hilton Hotel in Dunkeld, said: “I’ve always worked in the shooting industry and people tend to associate further north with good stalking, game shooting and salmon fishing, but that simply isn’t the case.
“Instead of just driving through the region, Exclusively Scottish will keep people within the Borders where they will experience some of the best shooting and fishing opportunities in the world.
“I’m offering high-end packages that provide guests with access to the best estates and accommodation the area has to offer.”
When looking to develop the enterprise, which he hopes will bring in visitors from round the world to the region, many for the first time, Ian sought advice from Business Gateway Scottish Borders.
“After attending a number of the free seminars, such as search engine optimisation, I was linked with my adviser, and with the tourism adviser, Phil McCreadie, both of whom have been very helpful, and are working to help me secure funds that will allow me to attend some of Europe’s biggest industry trade fairs.”
Sandra Campbell, Ian’s business advisor, said: “As well as helping to support the local shooting and tourism industry, his business aims to provide spin-off benefits for other activities and events in the region – already one group has booked to shoot in October and attend Kelso races.”
Alongside promoting the field sport opportunities, Ian also sells Harris Tweed accessories through his website.
“Our ultimate aim is to establish a lifestyle brand that celebrates the region’s rich textile history as well as the diversity and history of field sports in Scotland,” Ian said.