Hugh Donaldson
Tour Guide
I was born and raised in the historic cathedral city of Lincoln, UK. My passion for motorcycling began in my early teenage years when my friends and I would buy and ride cheap off-road bikes. My working career started in the marine engineering sector, but I found myself transitioning into the service industry following the collapse of engineering in Lincoln. It was here that I developed a keen appreciation for client care.
At the age of 30, I joined the police service, drawn by the opportunity to make a significant difference in the community. I carried out all aspects of policing, from 3×9’s response to working as a dog handler with both general patrol dogs and explosive detection dogs, as well as serving as a Custody Sergeant and in Crime Investigation. It was a great career, focused on looking after the most vulnerable in our society. During this time, I met and married my beautiful wife, Sharon. Together, we have raised two amazing children, who, now as adults, continue to make us proud every day.
Although my responsibilities as a police officer and family commitments limited my time for motorcycling, I managed to pursue my passion whenever possible—although my wife thought I spent more time polishing the bikes than was totally necessary!
In 2017, my brother suggested we take a holiday to Norway on our bikes with a company called Magellan Motorcycle Tours. I was hooked! It was on this trip that the guide casually asked if I had ever fancied guiding. To be honest, I was interested but equally terrified by the prospect. Following other holidays with the company, Magellan gave me the opportunity to assist on tours as a support rider, essentially helping the guide when needed and contributing to their online presence. Then, in 2023, I proudly donned that orange T-shirt. I feel honoured to be part of the public face of Magellan Motorcycle Tours, keeping customer experience at the heart of the tours I lead.
Check out Hugh's three favourite trips