Interview by George Horler
Photography by Graham Tait
So for those who don’t know you, what’s your name and where do you come from?
My name is Cailean Gunn and I’m from Edinburgh, Scotland.
Is that Cay-lin, or Cah-lin?
It’s Cah-lin, but I’m used to everyone calling me Cay-lin.
Do you know what Cailean means?
I was named after my grandfather “Colin”. Cailean means young wolf or pup.
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How long have you been skating, and what got you into it?
I’ve been skating for around 6 years now. I started out skating around Edinburgh in small parks with my good friend Calum Gibson, borrowing his board to cruise around. After that I got hooked, I started going to Saughton skatepark basically every day and met friends there I’ll have forever.
During Covid lockdown, I used skating as an escape from being trapped inside and trying something I had always wanted to do when I was a kid. I remember going to Space skatepark in North Berwick for a friend’s birthday party. I only had a BMX at the time, but I remember thinking the skaters looked so cool and I even rented a board to give it a try.
Oh wow, so you’ve only been skating for 6 years?!
Yeah! I totally wish I found skating earlier, but I was always into other stuff – I’ve never been able to sit still. Growing up I was practicing Judo and Kung Fu three or four times a week. I was living outside the city on a small farm, so I had endless fields and forests to adventure. I spent a lot of time outside.
Martial arts gave me a really good understanding of being agile and rolling out of falls properly. I think without that I would’ve hurt myself a lot more. I spent a good few years riding my bike and snowboarding and ended up in A&E a little more than I wanted.
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Do you have any colour belts for Judo or Karate? Have you ever deployed those skills in real life?
I use martial arts as more of a mindset – hard work pays off, kind of idea. I use the same mindset when going for a trick, I feel like I’m zoned in and all I’m imagining is how good it will feel to land it. I reached a black belt in Kung Fu and a brown belt in Judo. I’m lucky I’ve never had to use it in a fight, I’ve learnt to avoid situations where I would need to.
You’re a tree surgeon by day, how did you get into that?
After lockdown I decided I needed a change – I got an opportunity to study at the Scottish School of Forestry in Inverness. I lived with friends Daniel and Stuart who came up to study too, we all knew each other from skating so it worked out really well.
Whilst studying, I continued skating in Inverness and every couple of weekends down in Edinburgh. The skatepark in Inverness is amazing and full of great people even when the scene is pretty small – shout out The Forgotten Road! I started working for a tree surgeon on the Black Isle and quickly grew a passion for climbing. Been at it for a good few years now and working full time in Edinburgh.
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So you’re not afraid of heights? Does it make it feel less scary to be jumping down big stuff, when you’ve spent the whole day 50ft in the air?
I still find it scary. Haha! It’s become more normal to be scared at work, and I use that to jump off big stuff, like “this stair set can’t be as bad as my day at work” type thing. I definitely get warmed up from being active and outside all day, I feel I can just jump straight into skating.
Who is killing it in Edinburgh right now?
I feel I could sit and list so many good skaters in Edinburgh and all over Scotland. But all homies at Saughton, Bristo Square and Cat’s Skate Club are killing it. All the dudes at Focus Skate Store.
Give us some names!
Daniel Ippolito, Lachlan Shaw, and my good friend Alex Ward – always skating and going for it.
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What’s it like being an Edinburgh skater in 2026?
The Edinburgh scene is small and a real challenge during the winter with not many places to skate inside. You’ve got to be really hungry for skating when it’s -1℃ and blowing a gale. Edinburgh being such an old city means the ground is rough and the hills are steep. In some ways it makes it special. I’ve had some of the best times with lovely people who are just as keen to get out and skate.
Who is your favourite Scottish skater of all-time?
Good question! I would say Colin Kennedy or John Rattray. But then also Mark Burrows and Grant Baillie, from watching them skate at Saughton and old videos. Ok the Baillie brothers (Grant and Bobby) and Colin Kennedy, final answer!
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You were in the Garden video that came out last year, and you made it down to London for the premiere at Slam – what was that like for you? It was so fun that you were there and on the forever night out with all of us.
Coming to the Garden premiere and seeing so many friends as well as new faces was a special moment. My cousin who I never get to see was there, friends from home and newfound friends in London. I couldn’t get the smile off my face honestly. Everyone worked so hard and it showed. Made me so hyped to get more footage and make it all happen again!
What’s next for you skating this year?
I want to keep up my drive for skating. I’m obsessed! Skate road trip around Scotland pending. Travel Europe and get footage. Working on filming for another Garden video, keep shooting photos, and skate with friends I don’t get to see so often.
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Published in North 46