Opportunities are out there, so believe in yourself
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After a change of direction, David and Kate Traill are making their mark as company directors at Grahams of Inverness.
Q How would you describe your business?
A Grahams of Inverness is one of Scotland’s oldest businesses and caters for those taking part in country sports with a vast stock displayed over two floors of our spacious shop in Castle Street. Since 1857, the firm has supplied everything our customers need in outdoor clothing and equipment to pursue the sports activities that the Highlands have become famous for, specialising in shooting and fishing and offering informed advice.
As the firm has grown and developed, we now cater for anyone who enjoys the great outdoors and Highland environment. Our clothing ranges are designed to be stylish and practical. Barbour, Fjallraven and Dubarry continue to be favourites and our footwear will take customers to the highest hill – or the nearest pub! We also have a huge range of optics which ensure you will never miss the chance to see the incredible wildlife that is so abundant in the Highlands.
Of course, we are still a renowned fishing tackle and gun shop and continue to stock a great range of rod and reels and guns, rifles and ammunition.
Q What led you into the business?
A My wife Kate and I built a water cooler business which for eight years kept me busy between our depots in Inverness, Fife, Dundee and Glasgow. With around 30 staff and as many vehicles, it was a hectic backdrop to our young family. Once the business was stable and profitable, we both knew we would be looking for a different challenge which would enable me to spend more time in Inverness.
Grahams was obviously an established and successful business in the city long before our involvement but we saw an opportunity to invest and update and make our own mark. When the opportunity to purchase the business from previous owner Willie Armstrong became possible in 2008, we did everything we could to secure the business.
My involvement in country sports is only as old as my relationship with Kate. As a council scheme boy from Ayrshire, the salmon rivers and grouse moors of the Highlands were not part of my experience or skillset. But Kate’s family have lived and breathed those same sports for as long as Grahams itself and I was quickly indoctrinated – on the day we got engaged we both caught salmon in the Burn Mouth Pool of Dochfour on the River Ness!
Q What is your greatest achievement?
A Everything is a work in progress. But the success of the grahamsonline.co.uk website has been very gratifying. We relaunched the updated website at the start of the lockdowns – and we have now sent our products all over the world. With the unfortunate drop in footfall for most retailers, the growth of the website has been instrumental in our continued success.
Q Who do you admire in business?
A I’ve been lucky to meet some great businesspeople through my career and what has struck me is the variety of backgrounds that they come from. While a university degree can be helpful, many of the most successful and happy people I know have built their businesses from their skills and passions.
Higher education has become an expensive behemoth in the UK which so often poorly prepares our children for the real world – a re-focus on vocational skills and practical applications for the type of businesses that will be the future of Scotland is sorely needed.
Q What’s your advice to budding entrepreneurs?
A Say yes – opportunities are still out there but you must have enough belief in yourself to take on tasks and challenges that are outside your comfort zone.
Q Can you tell us a little bit more about yourself?
A Apart from a wee bit of shooting and fishing, Kate and I are kept busy by two ungrateful children and three very grateful dogs. We love them all equally!
Grahams of Inverness, 37-39 Castle Street, Inverness IV2 3DU
For more information about Inverness BID:
T: 01463 714550 E: info@inverness.uk.com
