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 of over 3000 miles 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. James sold copies of the book door to door to cover the cost of future excursions.

Sadly the cyclist was killed in a mysterious road accident in 1965.

In 2000, artist 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 decided to set about making a film of James Duthie’s unique story.

A year later the wheels were set in motion with the blessing of an SAC Creative Scotland Award.

Since then the wonderful Dummy Jim website has evolved and with the invaluable support of Kindly Folk, initial filming starts this year.

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

Dummy Jim is happening.

It is not too late to sponsor Olly & Alex, who have recently completed a 3000km cycle ride from Scotland to Nordkapp (Norway) raising money for the National Deaf Children’s Society & Dummy Jim …

Updated July 2010