Graeme took his very first balloon ride in The Trossachs, Scotland back in 1988 and became a commercial balloon pilot just two years later.
He went on to launch Scotland's very first passenger balloon rides operation in 1992, taking thousands of people up, up and away for more than 20 years.
A serious road collision a few years ago looked to have brought an end to his ballooning career. Graeme initially believed he may never be able do what he loved most again. He thankfully went on to prove doctors wrong and worked his way back to full flying fitness, while working as both a professional photographer and kayak instructor in the years following the accident.
Which is why when Virgin Balloon Flights was on the lookout for a new pilot in Scotland, Graeme was top of our wish list.
After his car accident, Graeme had to find new ways to do things again while he recovered.
"When you experience adversity, you have to look around a find a way to move forwards, even if that’s by taking a completely new route," he said.
Which is how, having only started a year earlier, in 2019 Graeme became the first person to qualify as a Kayak Leader using pedal riven kayaks! His kayaking business now has six pedal driven kayaks in Loch Lomond.
The determination to get his flying fitness back paid off when he regained full mobility in his previously injured arm and was officially declared fit to fly again in 2021.
“I had gone through a long grieving process because I believed I would never do this again, and now, after such a horrible journey, I am back to what I know and love - flying balloons.“
Having flown across many countries within Europe, Asia, America and Australia, Graeme’s all time favourite place to fly is Tanzania.
Outside flying, Graeme is a busy man with his successful kayaking and photography businesses. He is also a big music fan and loves attending live gigs, riding his bike and escaping to the mountains with beloved dog Luna in their campervan.
"I'm lucky that all the things I love to do, including work, basically mean my life feels like one big 'hobby'.
“Taking a nervous passenger into the air is a privilege, seeing the fear in their face become a look of amazed wonderment is something that carries no price."
Join Graeme for a spectacular flight over some of Scotland's most picturesque landscapes.