In May 1951 a profoundly deaf 28 year old Scotsman called James Duthie – known fondly to his local community as ‘Dummy Jim’ – cycled solo on a return trip from the small fishing town of Cairnbulg in the north east of Scotland to the Arctic Circle.

The journey took three months and was managed on a budget of just £12.

On returning to Scotland, Duthie wrote about his travels and in 1955 a slim volume called ‘I Cycled into the Arctic Circle’ was published. Sadly the cyclist was killed in a mysterious road accident in 1965.

In 2001, artist film maker Matt Hulse received a copy of the book from his mother, who had unearthed the hidden gem whilst working at a second hand bookshop on Iona.

Inspired by the journal’s eccentricity and genuine warmth, Matt made a commitment to bring James Duthie’s unique story to the silver screen.

The wheels were then set in motion with the blessing of a Creative Scotland Award.

Come rain or shine, friend or foe, hill or flat, puncture or no, Matt and his team have not stopped pedalling since.

The wonderful Dummy Jim website is a huge inspiration and with the invaluable support of Kindly Folk, the film will soon be a reality.

Plans are afoot to shoot the film during 2010. Dummy Jim is happening.

Please get involved, help oil the chain, be generous, enjoy the journey and remember – a calm sea does not a skilled sailor make!

Matt Hulse January 2010