When a 10-year-old Finlay Scott caught wind of an open squash event at the local club in Kirkwall, Orkney, he was intrigued by the new sport and went along with a group of his friends. Continuing to attend sessions, Finlay quickly began turning heads within the sporting community.
What started as a local success story has blossomed into a remarkable journey for Finlay, now 20, competing across Europe and being recognised as a key player in the Scottish squash scene.
A newfound passion
We caught up with Finlay to speak about his journey with the sport and how it all began.
“I heard about the open event when I was at an u11s football session and was keen to go along and give it a try,” he said.
“Finlay always really enjoyed his football but as soon as he started squash, I could really see how much more he enjoyed it and had a real passion for it,” his mum Kay explained.
Finlay went from strength to strength, dominating local competitions and soon travelling across the water to do the same in regional and national competitions.
Recent success
From local success to international competition, Finlay's story is one of constant growth.
Between competing in his first Island Games at just 15, travelling to France with the Scotland u19s squad for the World Junior Championships in 2022, and recently placing 5th at the u23 Scottish National Championships, his long list of achievements is impressive, to say the least.
Finlay also joined the PSA World Tour last year which has given Finlay the opportunity to compete in competitions all across Europe.
“That has been a pretty awesome experience,” he expressed.
Getting back on court
Speaking so positively about his recent achievements, you wouldn’t think that Finlay has just come back from a serious ankle injury. Whilst competing in Sweden last September, Finlay tore ligaments in one of his ankles, leaving him out of the game for 8 weeks and “hopping around Stockholm” in his own words.
When he touched down in Orkney, he was straight on a call with Hannah Chisolm, from the sportscotland institute of sport, who quickly put him in touch with physiotherapist Fiona Hogg.
“Fiona was really awesome with me,” Finlay said, “she talked me through everything I should be doing and was making regular contact over those 8 weeks.”
Kay explained that a 6-week waiting list for a physio in Orkney meant that without Fiona’s support, Finlay would have faced a challenging situation. Now back on court, Finlay, while still wearing an ankle support, is confidently on the road to full recovery.
The journey
Finlay’s packed calendar of travelling, training, and competing alone would be enough to keep him busy all year round. But previously with school and now a full-time apprenticeship thrown into the mix, the young athlete has had to adapt, plan ahead, and utilise his weekends. Reflecting on Finlay’s latter years of school, Kay told us:
“For a while Finlay was travelling down to Edinburgh for the u19 talent squad just about every weekend. We were lucky that the school did a half day on a Friday anyway.
“It was a case of finishing up school, getting straight on the boat and driving down to Edinburgh that night and back up on the Saturday or Sunday in time for school again on the Monday.”
Both Finlay and Kay are thankful that some of his travel costs are covered by the sportscotland Athlete Travel Award Scheme (ATAS) which, in Orkney, runs in partnership with Orkney Islands Council and Stagecoach.
One big family
Despite the demands of travelling and time away from home, Finlay’s passion for squash remains unwavering. Reflecting on what he loves about the sport, he explained that the ‘family feel’ of squash in Scotland is unmatched.
“The Scottish squash community is awesome. Because it isn’t a
massive sport, it really does feel like one big family.
"I've met so many great people through squash and even when I'm at home, coaches and other players south are always checking in on me," he said.
Finlay’s mum Kay echoed the sentiment, expressing her gratitude for the continuous offers of accommodation from players and coaches when Finlay travels to the mainland.
“That’s obviously helped out loads financially – it just means the odd bunch of flowers and bottle of Orkney gin as a gift to say thank you!"
Back where it all began
Now coaching the junior section of the Kirkwall Squash and Racketball Club at the weekends, Finlay says he enjoys being able to give back to the club.
“I’m hugely grateful for all the guidance I was given by local squash players when I was starting out so it’s great to be able to come back and offer that support now,” he expressed.
Orkney 2025 in sight
Looking ahead, Finlay told us that he wants to medal at the next u23 Scottish Nationals and see himself in the world ranking top 500.
“I guess the main goal for me though, is medalling at the home Island Games next year,” he said.
Finlay got his first taste of the Island Games back in 2019 as one of Orkney’s youngest competitors at just 15 years old. He has had his sights set on medalling at Orkney 2025 ever since.
“This year is really going to be about getting more experience of different players and different styles across Europe that will prepare me well for the Island Games where I’ll be up against competitors from all over the world.”
More info
- To find out more about the ATAS fund across the Highlands and Islands, visit: Athlete Travel Award Scheme (ATAS) - sportscotland the national agency for sport in Scotland
- Scottish Squash website
- Orkney 2025
