Bill

Founder & Creative Director

Bill scaled

Founder & Creative Director

...and the face of Hello Scotland.

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I started in this business in early 1994, so now in my 30th year, I have much to reflect on. When I set Hello Scotland up in 1996, some of the motivational drivers for me, apart from 3 kids under 3, included:

The freedom to become a storyteller.
The freedom to create all kinds of magical moments for guests.
The direct connection with the people who experience the programmes I created.
And finally, the honour and pride of having Scotland as my stage.

30 years on, I am still passionate about Scotland and still love creating memories in my back yard, for a wide variety of people from all around the planet. I am also now part of an equally passionate team here at Hello Scotland, with a shared love and commitment to what we do…what a blessing!
I truly feel I am one of the luckiest guys in the country!

Bill

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Dare to be Different

This alfresco lunch set up was our way of saying we can make anything happen and our first ever attempt at a promotional shoot, back in 1997! Being tough Scots, we figured that February was the best time of the year and that rolled up trousers and bare feet was better than wearing wellington boots! I was sitting up on the beach with my Creative Director’s hat on laughed until I ached as our willing models, including my father-in-law, who we were screaming and complaining at not being able to even feel their feet due to the cold!!
Nothing has changed…. you must be daring to be different in our business and we still are!

3 pipers

Immortal Memories

Without doubt we must create experiences and moments within programmes that truly
connect with the clients travelling. This is about understanding a little about the human brain and strategically creating an experience, a moment, an emotional frenzy that hits the bullseye!
Instead of having a bagpiper welcome this group at the Castle, each of these young lads spent 30 mins from the airport, locked inside the toilets of the coaches and began playing their welcome and emerged as a complete surprise for the guests! They then led the guests to begin their activities. This was just a moment, yes, but one that melted the hearts of all the guests and became one that was unlikely to be forgotten.

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Awaken the Warrior Within

This kilted warrior charge, back in 2014, launched only 3 hours after these directors from the Dutch Telecoms industry arrived in Scotland! Leaving Edinburgh Airport in a fleet of self-drive Land Rovers, we headed for the highlands. Lunch was in a private house where they enjoyed local steak and fish which they cooked on hot plates before they found themselves naked in the garden getting dressed into kilts and a rugby shirt, complete with the company logos sewn in…I had written a clan chant for them whose words were all connected to their brand and goals as a company. This was handed to them before they left the lunch and when they met me 45 minutes later, they were ready to scream it out and without provocation they felt the need to charge… the warrior within was beginning to show face!!

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Honorary Scottish Legends

This was one of my immortal memories from 2015. This amazing lady from Belgium was in her late 70’s when she came to Scotland with a group of Insurance brokers.
Clan games were featured in the programme, and I had planned for a personal showround of the Castle with Sir Francis the owner, to compensate for her not being able to partake in the activities.
How wrong was I? She tossed the caber, completed the farmers dash, played the bagpipes, and danced the highland fling. I was totally speechless and spent the rest of the programme throwing rose petals down in front of her everywhere she walked…. what a lady, what an inspiration, what a legend!

Bill's Upcoming Events

Want to meet Bill in person and be inspired by his passion for Scotland and creative ideas for your next incentive, event, conference or meeting? Here are Bill's upcoming events...

May 2024

Want to get in touch with Bill and the rest of the team and start planning your next event?

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