Neil Barker: ‘This is a long way outside my comfort zone’

The William Grant & Sons MD and chair of trustees for The Drinks Trust tells Sarah Neish why he is running 180 miles coast-to-coast across Scotland and how the punishing journey will help to ensure “we can be there in the hour of need” for our industry.

“The good news is that it isn’t a race – the aim is ‘to get there’ – so fingers crossed!” Neil Barker told the drinks business ahead of embarking on a gruelling undertaking that will see him traverse the breadth of Scotland to raise funds and awareness for The Drinks Trust as the charity nears its 140th anniversary.

With the starting pistol firing on Monday 27 July he is not sure how long the journey will take him (though he is shooting for just six days), adding another layer of jeopardy to the equation.

“It’s a difficult one to predict as conditions are hard to forecast in Scotland and distances and the terrain vary each day,” Barker said. “But with a fair wind, I expect I will average seven to eight hours a day on my feet with a mixture of jogging and fast walking.”

Industry support

Along the way, Barker will be joined by fellow runners at each stage of the route, with friends and colleagues spurring him on to reach the finish line.

“I am delighted that so many will be joining me on individual legs of the challenge and that so many business partners have offered to help,” he said. “Together, I hope we can spread the message far and wide.”

According to Nicky Burston, db’s Woman of the Year 2026 and CEO of The Drinks Trust: “What has been particularly moving is the way the wider drinks industry has united behind Neil’s mission. It is a powerful story of an industry coming together to support its own.”

The Drinks Trust is staging an online auction from Thursday 16 July with lots including a one-off release of 14 unique bottles of Hendrick’s gin, an overnight stay at Gleneagles Estate and tickets to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo show. The total sum raised from the auction will be added to the pot along with Barker’s Just Giving donations, the link for which you can find at the bottom of this page.

Trepidation and excitement

Speaking to db, Barker confessed: “Being honest, I’m feeling a mixture of trepidation and excitement. Trepidation as this is a long way outside my comfort zone or anything I have done before; and excitement for the challenge. The distance each day will definitely be a stretch – but the most daunting part will be getting up and doing it again and again, notably towards the latter days.”

On the plus side, he added, “if the weather is kind, we will experience some of the very finest scenery in the country over 180 very long miles.”

Coast to coast

Indeed, Barker’s route will see him head up the Ayrshire Coast from the Hendrick’s Gin Palace at Girvan, running past Turnberry, Troon and Largs before moving across Scotland on the John Muir Way from Helensburgh in the West to North Berwick on the East Coast, passing Loch Lomond, the Campsie Fells, the Grand Union Canal, then along the Forth to ‘the home of Scottish rugby’, Murrayfield.

The final day will see him run from Edinburgh Castle to the Fringe by the Sea festival in North Berwick.

Why Scotland? “It’s the home of the William Grant & Sons business, and I am very fortunate to spend much time here with our customers and with colleagues at our wonderful distilleries,” Barker said. “Summer in Scotland is simply amazing – long days, stunning scenery and iconic events, so it felt natural to plan the challenge in Scotland.”

Training regime

Barker revealed that he began training for his ‘Sixtreme’ challenge in January.

“I started off doing some test runs to see what I was capable of,” he said. “Since then, the plans and the training have been ramping up month after month. Over the last two months, I have been averaging the equivalent of a half marathon covered each day before and after work.”

After seven months of early starts and late finishes he is keen to crack on with the run itself.

“I can assure you I am delighted that the time to taper is fast approaching and the heavy training load is behind me without any major injuries. And I am looking forward to a rest once the challenge is behind me.”

Will there be any booze along the way? Or will he be strictly alcohol free?

“Day one of the challenge is my birthday; and along the route we have a few events with key partners and hospitality leaders, so no doubt I will raise a small glass in great company,” he said.

However, he insisted, “I want to stay focused on the aim of completing the challenge for such a great cause. I am certainly planning a celebration if and when I arrive in North Berwick, although rest assured all in moderation and balance!”

Incredible work

Barker is hoping that the run will put the Drinks Trust and its good work front-of-mind for people in this milestone year for the charity.

“The small but brilliant team at The Drinks Trust do incredible work on behalf of everyone who works in our industry,” he said. “The reality is that none of us know what life will throw at you in terms of physical and mental health challenges, employment and hardship.”

The 140^th anniversary of the charity offers the opportunity “to showcase the work the charity does.”

“I genuinely hope and believe the challenge can go some way to building awareness of the issues facing drinks hospitality today, but also where to go for help,” he added.

Relentless demand

According to Barker, who has helmed the charity’s board of trustees since early 2024, “the demand for our help grows relentlessly from people right across the UK. In total, I am proud to say that we helped more than 7,500 beneficiaries in 2025 – a record for the charity, and one I am sure we see beaten again in 2026.”

While it can be difficult to hear the individual stories of suffering from colleagues in the industry who have fallen on hard times, Barker said that “it is also good to see cases when people who have faced what felt like insurmountable hardship have used the various support services from the charity to get back on their feet and thrive.”

Talent gap

In order to address “the huge talent gap in our industry” Barker believes that upskilling is key.

“There are many who are urgently seeking employment and a chance in life. This applies at all age groups, but most notably in the younger post-school, college and university ages,” he said.

“That is why The Drinks Trust’s work in skills development is so inspiring to me personally. It’s so important to the future of our industry – and something I would like to see us be able to better fund to grow our impact.”

Tackling the run across Scotland is “about raising vital funds to ensure we can be there in the hour of need for those who have or do work in our industry. Literally any help via our JustGiving page would be appreciated.”

If you would like to support Neil you can donate here.

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