As a fun project to challenge my photography and videography skills, I proposed an idea to the organizers of the Highland Trail 550. By coming to the Highlands for the Highland Trail 550, I was able to increase exposure to a fantastic, and fantastically under-exposed race in the North of Scotland.

In the end, I was able to produce photos and content for several brands, the organization, and Bikepacking.com [here] and [here]. Below is a sample of the photos I made. Video content is yet to be released in a short-form documentary of the women's field at HT550.

The Highland Trail 550 is characterized not only by its famously challenging landscape and fleeting moments of joy when the storms break but also by its equally fleeting race organizer, a sort of mad genius type. Alan has stitched together a route over mountains, through bogs, and to earth’s end in Northern Scotland. The race is unrelenting, with the relatively monotone Southern loop giving way to an ever-changing, ever-challenging middle and Northern loop.

Alex came out of the gate swinging. Having flatted out of the 2023 HT550, Alex had a bone to pick in 2024. Although I can’t believe anyone could doubt Alex’s abilities, I also can’t imagine many would have guessed his performance would have been as stunning as it was. “He’s going to burn up,” “he started too fast” were the murmurs amongst the peanut gallery, yet, despite flying really close to the sun, Alex’s wings never melted, and he rode to a course record on his steel Fairlight Holt.

Finishing your first ultra-race is a feat. Finishing the HT550 is never a given. Finishing your first ultra, at the HT550… in first place? Unheard of. Kerry not only finished within spitting distance of the previous women’s record (on a longer course!), but she also did so during her first ultra experience and on her birthday! You couldn’t make this up if you wanted to. Kerry laid down a breathtakingly strong race, finishing 6th overall, and always positive and flexible, no matter the situation. Amazing.

To say I did it alone would be the farthest from the truth. Neil worked as a fixer, driver, drone operator, and b-camera/sound guy. In short, he was indispensable. Neil is a very talented designer and helped lend a critical eye to any shot I was trying to frame up. Thanks again, Neil!