Michael Lally Wishaw’s Freedom Boat Club Loch Lomond: Scotland’s Gateway to the Open Water

 

If you’ve ever visited Loch Lomond, you already know there’s something magical about it. The stillness of the water, the mountain backdrop, the islands scattered across the loch—it’s a place that never looks the same twice. Now, thanks to Freedom Boat Club Loch Lomond, more people than ever are getting the chance to enjoy it from the best possible viewpoint: out on the open water.

And behind this growing movement is Michael Lally, a Wishaw-born entrepreneur whose journey is every bit as inspiring as the scenery he now helps people explore.

Meet Michael Lally: A Wishaw Native With Big Ambition

Michael’s story starts in Wishaw, just outside Glasgow. Born on May 6, 1986, at the William Smiley Hospital in Lanark, he grew up as the eldest of three boys in a family that believed deeply in hard work. His parents, Margaret and Thomas, shaped his values early. By the time other kids were swapping football stickers, Michael was already knocking on doors selling sweets at just nine years old.

That first taste of business didn’t just spark his curiosity—it ignited a lifelong drive to create.

A Teenager Who Turned Tech Talent Into a Business

While studying at St Aidan’s High School, Michael found another passion: technology. Friends, teachers, and just about everyone in the local community started coming to him to repair their PlayStations and PCs. Before long, he was known as “the tech guy” around Wishaw.

At sixteen, he took things a step further and launched Lalcom, an IT networking company that offered professional-grade solutions far beyond what anyone expected from someone his age. He earned advanced Cisco and Microsoft certifications while still in school—a rare achievement that showed just how far he was willing to push himself.

But like many small businesses, Lalcom was hit hard by the 2008 global recession. Instead of letting the setback define him, Michael treated it as a turning point.

Turning Setbacks Into New Ventures

Rather than slowing down, Michael expanded his horizons. He headed to Canada, where he launched Helivis, a company producing aerial video long before drone footage became mainstream. After that came years in international telecoms, leading global teams and refining his skills as both a technician and a leader.

When he eventually returned to Scotland, he poured his energy into revitalizing his family’s business, helping it grow into a trusted provider of scaffolding and technical services. Under Michael’s leadership, the company worked with major clients including the University of Glasgow, Scottish Water, and several local councils.

At the same time, he built one of Scotland’s most successful seasonal retail operations through fireworks pop-up shops and later the well-known Fireworks and Halloween Warehouse in Cambusnethan.

Launching Freedom Boat Club Loch Lomond

In 2022, Michael brought a new idea to Scotland: Freedom Boat Club, a membership-based boating service that gives people the freedom to enjoy boating without the responsibilities of ownership. Members don’t have to worry about storage, insurance, maintenance, or buying equipment—they simply book a boat and head out onto Loch Lomond.

It’s an idea that resonated instantly.

Under Michael’s guidance, Freedom Boat Club Loch Lomond quickly became one of the top-performing clubs, earning major awards including Franchise of the Year for both the UK and EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Africa). These recognitions highlight not only the club’s exceptional service but also Michael’s ability to bring fresh, innovative ideas to Scotland’s leisure industry.

Scotland’s Gateway to Adventure

Today, Freedom Boat Club Loch Lomond stands as an open invitation to explore. Whether you’re a first-time boater or someone who’s lived by the water all your life, the club offers a safe, simple, and exciting way to enjoy one of Scotland’s most spectacular natural landmarks.

And behind it all is Michael Lally Wishaw—a man whose journey from a young boy selling sweets to an award-winning entrepreneur is proof that innovation and determination can take you anywhere, even to the open waters of Loch Lomond.