From 29th April to 1st May 2025, our Co-founder Leon Trayling, alongside a team of hospitality industry professionals will take on an epic 185-mile cycle from Barra to Lewis to raise funds for HIT Scotland. Battling rugged terrain, steep climbs and whatever the unpredictable Hebridean weather throws their way will be:

• Leon Trayling, Co-Founder & Director, ishga
• Mark Hogarth, Brand Ambassador, Harris Tweed Hebrides
• Marcello Ventisei, GM, Kimpton Blythswood Square & Voco Grand Central, Glasgow
  
• Hans Rissmann, Owner, Strathaven Hotel
• Jackie Marlow, Chief Operating Officer, UKHospitality
  
• Louise Rattray, Group Sales Manager, Crerar Hotels Collection
• Andrew Mackay, Owner, The Caithness Collection
• Glenn Woodage, Premium Business Manager, Whyte & Mackay
  

Also taking part in the challenge will be several industry individuals and teams who will be completing the 185 miles virtually.

It’s going to be a tough test of endurance but every mile will help raise vital funds for HIT Scotland to empower, inspire and develop the next generation of talent in Scottish hospitality.

Let's hear from each of the participants who shared why they're taking on the challenge and how training is going so far...

LEON TRAYLING - Co-founder and Director, ishga

“HIT the Hebrides is giving me the chance to combine 3 things I really appreciate, 1 - Exercise and the way it makes you feel, mentally and physically.  2 - The Hebrides, I have been lucky to spend a lot of time on the islands over the last 14 years, and 3 - Suporting the Hospitality Industry. The industry has given me so many opportunities and I have made life-long friends. It continues to introduce me to some wonderful individuals and unique experiences. Thank you David Cochrane for giving me and all the team this challenge.”

MARK HOGARTH - Brand Ambassador, Harris Tweed Hebrides

“I have had the privilege to work for Harris Tweed Hebrides for 16 years and it has always been an ambition to cycle the full length of The Outer Hebrides. I’m looking forward to the challenge and meeting some incredible people involved in the hospitality sector - raising awareness and funds to support the great work of HIT.”

MARCELLO VENTISEI - General Manager, Kimpton Blythswood Square & Voco Grand Central, Glasgow

“I see myself as a leisure cyclist more used to a gentle meander around Millport with Bruno chilling out in the back. So when it comes to Hitting the Hebrides I am definitely a novice within the group. I wanted to take part because I love what HiT does for the people in our amazing industry. Over the years I’ve been very fortunate to receive development through HIT scholarships and I’ve encouraged many colleagues to do likewise. Similarly I’ve seen HiT bring so many wonderful people into our industry and help us all build our network of friends and colleagues. So this was an opportunity to give something back.

Training so far has been great fun and at times pretty gruelling. Early morning rises, thick fog, driving rain and wind, horrendous road surfaces and potholes, crazy car drivers, punctures and broken bike chains have all been well and truly felt. But at the same time there has been glorious sunshine, beautiful new places explored and a great sense of camaraderie with the rest of the team. It’s been pretty much a fair reflection of the same emotions that we experience on a regular basis in the Hospitality Industry. Now I’m really looking forward to getting it done and spending some time with a great team of people.”

HANS RISSMANN - Owner, Strathaven Hotel

“HIT the Hebrides, what a wonderful way to challenge myself and raise awareness of HIT Scotland. I will have plenty of time to catch up with some industry people on the saddle and to see the beauty of the Hebrides. Training is going well, I am just hopeful that the weather will be kind to us and there will be a refreshing Barra Gin waiting in Stornoway at ishga HQ!”

JACKIE MARLOW - Chief Operating Office, UKHospitality

“I’m the Chief Operating Officer for UKHospitality, the leading voice for hospitality in the UK. We have offices in 4 nations – Scotland, Wales, and London and a sister organsiation in Northern Ireland – Hospitality Ulster; UKHospitality aims to promote hospitality as a place where people want to live work and invest. Working with the Government; UKHospitaity aims to prevent undue legislation and provides insight and guidance for members. It has over 135,000 venues in membership across the UK.

When I’m supporting the sector, I have been developing passion for cycling and under persuasion will be joining a team to brave the Hebrides in late April to raise funds for HiT Scotland.

Prior to working at UKHospitality, I worked in advertising, became a world champion canoeist and I produced my finest achievement to date – an heir to the Marlow garden. If had been taller, I would have been a professional net baller rather than a social player of today.”

LOUISE RATTRAY - Group Sales Manager, Crerar Hotels Collection

“I’m taking on this challenge for a few simple reasons - because I love cycling, I love the hospitality industry, and I’d love to give something back to keeping this industry the best it can be and get young people the training they deserve. Cycling for me is an escape, a way to stay fit, to get the re-balance and to push myself. Whether I’m out on the road bike, gravel, or MTB, I love the sense of freedom, the fresh air, and the coffee and cake at the end. It’s about the unfiltered chats, the regular bursts of swearing on the climbs, and the pure satisfaction of sharing a ride with great like-minded people.

It’s also about the discovery, seeing beautiful, often hidden places that you only really find when you’re on two wheels. And the Outer Hebrides? They’re the very definition of off the beaten track. Remote, rugged, and stunning - I’ve never been, and I can’t think of a better way to experience them than this.

So, this ride is for HIT, for the hotel industry and for the fun of the ride itself. I can’t wait to take it on, one mile, one cake, and one swear word at a time!"

ANDREW MACKAY - Owner, The Caithness Collection

“Really looking forward to the HiT The Hebrides challenge, it is definitely outside my comfort zone and a good job Marcello nominated me without my knowledge or wouldn’t have contemplated it as I am a leisurely cyclist but enjoying the challenge of getting match fit for the event.

As a small Hotel operator in rural North Highlands we have benefitted from the HiT Scotland Scholarships through the years so glad to be paying back to them by trying to raise some sponsorship. Their Scholarships really help the SME’s who have limited budgets and limited access to quality training compared to the bigger operators so it’s a real lifeline in helping us promote Hospitality as a Career of choice which is close to my heart.

I am also very much looking forward to seeing the beautiful Hebrides as embarrassingly although a born and bred Highlander I have never been over The Minch to visit the islands and having just read the first two books of Peter May’s Lewis trilogy looking forward to revelling in his great storytelling, also looking forward to the challenge alongside some superb Hospitality Professionals and the banter that will entail no doubt."

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