SUNRAY TWOSIX Reflections: The People Behind the Journey 

While SUNRAY TWOSIX travelled through some of Scotland’s most remote communities, the lasting memories created along the way had little to do with miles travelled or destinations reached.

Instead, participants spoke about the people they met, the friendships they formed, the conversations they shared, and the sense of camaraderie that developed throughout the journey.

For many, Sunray 26 provided something increasingly difficult to find in modern life: uninterrupted time together.

Away from busy schedules, work commitments, and the distractions of everyday life, the team found themselves sharing ferry crossings, long drives, meals, accommodation, and experiences. What began as a group brought together by a shared purpose quickly became something more.

For Kevin Roberts, one of the most significant aspects of the journey was the bond that formed within the team itself.

The friendships that I found were so helpful to me in my journey and although I am going through something quite hard it did make me realise that other people have also got a lot going on too.

My greatest highlight was being able to hang out with complete strangers and within two weeks they all felt like family.

That sentiment was echoed throughout the reflections shared by participants. Despite coming from different backgrounds and experiences, the team quickly developed the kind of understanding and support that often comes naturally amongst veterans.

Pauline Cherrington described the connection that formed almost immediately:

The team formed an allegiance immediately that only military personnel and veterans would understand and we each fell into our respective roles with a quiet knowing and sense of pride in how we all fitted in.

For Jason Fearnley, that camaraderie became one of the defining features of the journey.

Personally, I found strength having the Sunray team around me. We tackled every problem as a team and the joy and laughter spending two weeks together was an honour and amazing experience.

The shared experience of travelling together created opportunities for conversations that may never have happened in ordinary circumstances. Long ferry crossings, evenings spent talking, and hours on the road allowed participants to get to know one another in a way that is increasingly rare.

For Tip Cullen, one of the most meaningful moments came unexpectedly during an interview on the Isle of Grimsay.

Asked a simple question about spending time with his brother Kevin, a Royal Navy veteran currently living with stage four prostate cancer, he found himself overwhelmed by emotion.

It hit me emotionally like a roller coaster, like never before.

The whole trip seemed to place me in a very relaxed, happy place where we allowed our emotions to flow freely.

The experience of travelling together had created space for conversations that might otherwise have remained unspoken.

Alongside the connections formed within the team, many participants spoke about the veterans they met throughout the journey and the impact those conversations had on them.

One of the highlights of the tour was attending veterans’ breakfast clubs and community gatherings in Stornoway. These informal events brought together veterans from across the islands, creating opportunities to share stories, experiences, and perspectives from different generations of service.

For Kevin Roberts, these conversations were among the most meaningful encounters of the journey.

I was speaking to people aged between 24 and 80 years old and the overwhelming thing that I found was that they all loved their time spent in the services but also that most of them felt let down regarding support.

Those conversations served as a reminder of the importance of maintaining strong veteran networks, particularly within rural and island communities where distance can often make connection more difficult.

The journey also highlighted how easily opportunities for connection can be missed.

While staying in Stornoway, Pauline met an elderly gentleman who owned the chalets where the team were staying. During conversation, he explained that he had served in the Territorial Army during the 1970s but had never considered himself a veteran.

As they spoke, he shared some of the challenges he was facing, including ongoing health concerns and difficulties navigating services. Pauline was able to connect him with local veteran contacts and help introduce him to support available within the community.

For her, that conversation captured the true purpose of Sunray 26.

This conversation highlighted that the tour was never about a car, it was about connection, discovery and positivity, sharing the light wherever we went.

Throughout the journey, participants repeatedly spoke about the value of slowing down and reconnecting with both people and place.

Travelling through the islands provided opportunities to step away from phones, emails, deadlines, and daily pressures. The landscapes of the Outer Hebrides offered space to think, talk, and appreciate the company of those around them.

Tip described it simply:

The importance of nature and human bonding… get away from the phone, computer, noise and rat race and enjoy people and our beautiful surroundings.

For Jason, one particularly memorable moment came while being interviewed at Bosta Beach on Lewis.

Sitting amongst the rocks, with the sun shining and sea thrift growing around him, he found himself reflecting on the contrast between military service and the peaceful surroundings before him.

I just thought this is the furthest from war you can possibly get.

Despite the stunning scenery, the strongest memories participants carried home were not of beaches, ferries, or island roads.

They were of people.

The veterans they met.

The conversations they shared.

The friendships they formed.

The support they found in one another.

And, most importantly, the laughter that accompanied them throughout the journey.

As Tip Cullen summed it up:

Chuckling forever with moments of brutal side-splitting laughter.

For all involved, Sunray 26 became far more than a journey across Scotland’s islands. It became a reminder of the power of connection, the value of community, and the enduring bonds that can be formed when people take the time to travel, listen, and share experiences together.

While the route has now come to an end, the friendships, conversations, and connections created along the way will continue long after the final journey home.