I recently hung up my boots from professional rugby after playing for Glasgow Warriors from 2010 to 2021. I also had the honor of representing Scotland, earning 4 caps. These days, I’m back in Fife, not far from where I grew up. I joined the family business, Luvians, a chain of bottle shops specializing in top-notch whiskies, wines, beers, and even homemade ice cream. I’m a husband to Katie and a dad to three kids: Sofia, Freddie, and Nora.
How did you end up as a pro rugby player?
Becoming a professional rugby player wasn’t the plan from the start. I had success with the Howe of Fife and Bell Baxter High School teams. While I was studying Chemical Engineering at Edinburgh University, I played for Heriots rugby club. After getting selected to play 7’s rugby for Scotland during my first year at Uni, I eventually joined the national academy and trained for two years. In 2010, I signed up with Glasgow Warriors.
Let’s chat about your eyesight and night lenses. How did regular day lenses affect your rugby journey? Ever lose one during a game? Why the switch to night lenses?
I started wearing day lenses as a teenager, and they did help with my catching skills—well, to some extent! But I struggled to put them in right. If one fell out during a game, I’d dash to the sideline, and my mom would help me put in a spare lens. A bit embarrassing, I admit! It was only just before heading off to Uni that I learned to handle them myself. Once I turned pro, dealing with lenses became an added worry, distracting me from focusing on my game prep and performance. I often lost lenses during matches. The idea of wearing lenses overnight and waking up with clear vision on game day was a total game-changer for me.
How did night lenses impact your rugby career?
Night lenses not only removed an extra hassle on game day but also improved my vision in the sport. They played a part in upping my performance and enabled me to compete at the highest level.
What about your perception of depth and judging distances? How did that change after switching to night lenses?
Wearing night lenses made a significant difference to my depth perception and my ability to judge distances. This boost in vision confidence translated onto the field, turning me from a player with fuzzy sight into one with crystal clear vision.
Why should others consider night lenses?
Night lenses are a brilliant choice, no matter your profession. They save you the hassle of dealing with daily lenses, and you can’t misplace a lens when you’re out because you don’t have anything in your eye to lose. There’s no risk of accidentally dislodging your lens while working, commuting, or, worse, driving. It’s one less thing to stress about in the busy routines that have become the norm for most people’s daily lives.
You’ve traveled the globe for rugby matches. Which stadium stands out as your favorite?
I had the incredible experience of playing in Hong Kong during the 7’s World Series. The city has a rich rugby history, and the atmosphere there was simply electric. It felt like a three-day party in the stands! It’s a memory that I’ll treasure for a long time.
Who was your rugby hero?
My inspiration was Richie McCaw, the New Zealand number 7, during my early years. He managed to maintain top-level performance throughout his career and led the All Blacks to consecutive World Cup victories—an amazing achievement.