The Scott Leslie Interview

We chat with Scott Leslie of Oban Holiday Park, part of Highland Holidays, to discuss the park industry, his role, and what he likes to do when not working.

Hi Scott, thank you for taking part in the interview. Can you tell us a bit about your journey into the park industry – what led you to where you are now?

I was a chef, and my partner Eilidh was the restaurant manager however we were never able to get time off together. My parents had worked on holiday parks before, so we decided to give it a shot, before we knew it we were on our way to Wales towing a caravan and doing our first season. That was 11 years ago, and we haven’t looked back!

Tell me about your role at Highland Holidays?

My role at Highland Holidays consists of running the day-to-day operations of Oban Holiday Park. Since we only acquired Oban a year ago there is the task of turning this holiday park into one of the top destinations of the highlands and since opening in July, we have had some fantastic feedback with guests from near and far loving what we have on offer here. Very excited for the future and building this amazing place from the ground up to become a space for people in all walks of life to come and enjoy any time of year.

What do you find the most rewarding aspect of your role?

I think the weeks/months/years after one of our lodge sales has completed. Living on the park with these families who are enjoying their lodge week after week and making sure this is seamless for them is the most rewarding. This may be popping the heating on for them a few hours before they arrive on the crisp winters days or helping them with some local info on their days out around argyll. The team and myself are always on hand to make sure they’re getting the most out of ownership with Highland Holidays. The gratitude and smiles from these families are very rewarding.

Do you have any advice to those starting out in the industry?

A little informal however the best piece of advice I could give would be “to get stuck in” Attitude matters more than any experience and being at the forefront of any job whatever your position is the best advice I could give anyone.

What has been your favourite professional moment?

Transforming Oban Holiday Park from a building site into an amazing holiday destination in the space of a few months. My partner Eilidh moved to the site 2 weeks prior to opening and the work we did in that 2 weeks with our team to transform this hidden gem for our guests arriving was exceptional.

Would you like to share your most embarrassing moment?

Eilidh arriving 2 weeks before we opened with the prospect of opening in 2 weeks!

Where do you like to holiday?

Anywhere in the UK for hot tub breaks. Having a 1 year old its great to get out and explore different areas or Dubai for some sunshine.

If you weren’t doing what you do now, what would you be doing?

I would most likely still be cheffing.

Outside of work, what are some of your interests or hobbies?

Spending time with my son, going for days out exploring, walking the hills with my springer spaniel and watching the football.

Looking ahead do you have any personal and professional goals for the next year?

To continue building our amazing park, inspiring my team to always go above and beyond for our guests and owners. To win some awards for Oban Holiday Park would be an amazing achievement for us all.

Do you have any role models or people who inspire you?

Alex Ferguson for inspiring his team consistently to go above and beyond or Steven Bartlett for coming from nothing and building multi million pound businesses.