This year, I’ve been proud — and a little humbled — to see Wine Guy on Skye named as a finalist for the Most Promising New Business at the Highland Business Awards 2025. For a small independent wine merchant on the Waternish Peninsula, that recognition means a great deal.
I started Wine Guy on Skye after leaving the military, driven by a simple idea: to bring genuinely good, accessibly priced wines to people who appreciate quality and story over status. But behind that story sits something I think matters to many service leavers — the way military experience can build the discipline, adaptability, and curiosity needed to start a new chapter in civilian life.
From Uniform to Vineyard
When I left the Royal Air Force, I wasn’t sure where the next path would lead. What I did know was how to lead people, manage complex logistics, and stay calm when things didn’t go to plan — qualities that translate surprisingly well into running a business.
My transition began through the Career Transition Partnership, the official resettlement programme for service leavers. They offered structure, training, and — crucially — the time to think about what I wanted to build. I used that opportunity to gain my WSET qualification (Wine & Spirit Education Trust), which gave me a professional foundation in wine knowledge and tasting.
That period of resettlement training was transformative. It wasn’t just about learning new skills; it was about realising that the values I’d built in service — integrity, precision, teamwork — still applied. Only now, instead of airfields and operations, my field of work was vineyards and vintages.
Starting Something New on Skye
Launching Wine Guy on Skye Ltd was never about creating just another wine shop. I wanted something that reflected this island’s sense of community and craftsmanship. Every wine I stock has been personally chosen after visiting the vineyards and meeting the winemakers — from family estates in France, to small producers in New Zealand, to emerging vineyards here in England.
Visitors to Skye can order wines delivered to their accommodation, or join a bespoke tasting where we explore how flavour connects to story. I deliver across the island and throughout the UK, because good wine deserves to be shared wherever you are.
Being recognised at the Highland Business Awards feels like validation that this approach — grounded, personal, and values-driven — resonates far beyond Skye.
Why the Highland Business Awards Matter
The Highland Business Awards, organised by the Inverness Chamber of Commerce, celebrate the best of business across the Highlands. For many of us working in remote or rural areas, it’s not just about winning — it’s about being part of a community that supports growth, resilience, and innovation.
To be shortlisted as Most Promising New Business sits alongside some remarkable companies. It highlights how small businesses, often with limited resources, can make a big impact through focus and authenticity.
For me, it also reflects something broader: how veterans can bring an edge to entrepreneurship. We’re used to operating with limited resources, under pressure, and with an eye on teamwork. Those habits serve well in business — from supplier relationships to customer service and long-term planning.
The Value of Military Experience in Business
People often ask how my military background fits into running a wine business. The truth is, it shapes everything I do.
- Discipline and planning help me manage stock, logistics, and customer deliveries across rural terrain and the wider UK.
- Leadership and adaptability are vital when managing suppliers from three countries with different regulations and harvest seasons.
- Attention to detail — whether it’s how a cork feels in the hand or how a label tells a story — is something I learned early in my career.
Perhaps most importantly, I learned to value people — both the team around me and the customers who trust me. Wine is, at its heart, a social experience. It’s about creating shared moments, and that sense of camaraderie feels familiar to anyone who’s served.
Using Resettlement Training to Build Something New
The resettlement process gives service leavers a chance to reset. There’s training in business skills, finance, communication — and most importantly, there’s encouragement to think big.
If you’re a service leaver reading this, I’d say this: don’t underestimate how relevant your experience is. The Career Transition Partnership and related resettlement programmes are more than checkboxes — they’re stepping stones to real opportunity.
Wine Guy on Skye is proof that you can take what you’ve learned in service and apply it to something entirely different. Whether it’s wine, food, design, or technology — the principles of hard work, continuous learning, and leadership never go out of date.
Recognising Small Business Achievement
While being a finalist for the Highland Business Awards 2025 is an honour, it’s also part of a journey that’s seen Wine Guy on Skye recognised across several platforms:
- 🏆 Entrepreneur of the Year – Scottish Veterans Awards
- 🏆 Service Leaver of the Year – Scottish Veterans Awards
- 🏆 SME of the Year for Wine Sales – SME Magazine
- 🏅 Shortlisted for Wine Buyer of the Year 2025 – London Wine Fair
Awards like these do more than fill a shelf. They raise awareness of small businesses that work hard to deliver quality and care. They also remind customers that independent merchants can offer expertise and personal service that larger retailers often overlook.
And in rural regions like the Highlands and Islands, they highlight how small enterprises contribute to local economies — creating jobs, sustaining communities, and showcasing what the region can produce and deliver.
The Broader Message: Opportunity After Service
The story behind Wine Guy on Skye isn’t just about wine; it’s about transition and purpose. Many veterans leave service unsure of what’s next. Yet the qualities that make good leaders in the forces — discipline, integrity, perseverance — are the same ones that drive good entrepreneurs.
The Highland Business Awards recognition shows what’s possible when resettlement support, training, and personal passion align. It’s a reminder that success isn’t limited by geography or industry — it’s about mindset.
Do you want to start something new after service? Do you want to use your training and leadership experience to build something of your own? It’s possible. I did it here, on the edge of the Atlantic, surrounded by vineyards a thousand miles away.
Looking Ahead
Being a finalist for the Most Promising New Business 2025 is encouragement to keep growing, keep learning, and keep representing the best of Skye and Scotland’s small business spirit.
Over the next year, I plan to expand the range of wines, host more tastings for visitors, and continue building partnerships with winemakers who share the same values — honesty, quality, and sustainability.
It’s a journey shaped by my military background, sustained by local support, and recognised by awards that celebrate effort and enterprise.
Closing Thoughts
As I prepare for the awards ceremony, I’m reminded of something we used to say in uniform: success is never solo. It’s always about teamwork — whether that’s in a unit, a business, or a community.
So here’s to the Highland Business Awards, to the people who make small businesses thrive, and to everyone using their past experience to build something new.
If you’d like to find out more about what we do at Wine Guy on Skye — from curated cases and tastings to our latest award nominations — visit www.wineguyonskye.com or get in touch to talk about wine, service, and the shared journey of building something worth raising a glass to.