Outdoor enthusiasts have wind in their sales

PERTH TWINS and outdoor enthusiasts Guy and Jamie McKenzie certainly like to feel the wind in their hair — but they have also made it their mission to ensure visitors to north-east Fife head home a wee bit more ruffled than when they arrived.

The 25-year-olds run outdoor experience company BlownAway at StAndrews’West Sands, offering a host of activities including land yachting, beach kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.

The brothers, who rely on the help of their parents and a handful of freelance instructors to help them run their multiaward-winning services, are now looking for a full-time base in north Fife to expand.

Q— What gave you the initial idea and motivation to set up BlownAway?

A— While at school and college we worked for a number of outdoor activity companies at weekends and during holidays. Our exposure to the entrepreneurs running these businesses gave direction to the growing idea that we should set up our own business.

After a significant amount of research we settled on the idea of land yachting, which nobody else was offering commercially.

We developed our ideas, then approached Business Gateway for advice and guidance and they encouraged us to approach the Prince’s ScottishYouth Business Trust.

Their encouragement and support cannot be recommended highly enough to any young person thinking of going into business for themselves.

With the PSYBT supporting our concept we committed to the development and creation of our business, Blown Away Experiences.

Q— What have been the highs and the lows of setting up and running your own company?

A— Our initial high was the fact that Business Gateway and PSYBT, both organisations that see a lot of business ideas, considered we had the basis of a potentially viable business.

Having said that, we got a great buzz on the first delivery of our land yachts and associated equipment.

Low points?

With an ‘in-your-face’website, our company Land Rovers, and general branding, combined with activity in social media, we have tried to ensure that once seen we are never forgotten.

Entering, and winning, some of the industry awards has helped bring us to the notice of some of the serious tour and corporate organisers, and being rated by VisitScotland as a five-star activity provider, and the publicity from becoming a Thistle Award winner, has certainly helped us.

Q— How do you want to grow the business?

A— We started the business as a land yachting experience company.

While this is still very much the core of our business, we have reacted to opportunities and customer demand by expanding our range of activities to include water sports such as beach kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.

We intend to continue growing the business and to expand its capabilities in terms of activities and client numbers.

Key to this is to f ind a suitable operational base for Blown Away in the north Fife area.

We want to establish Blown Away as a leading Scottish outdoor activity company based in the awesome location of St Andrews and north-east Fife.