Bodybuilder Mark displays the strength to lift Mr Scotland title

Buckhaven man Mark Taylor, who has won the UK BFF light heavyweight Mr Scotland body building title. WITH ANTON PUTKA, owner of DOWIE'S GYM - credit - fife photo agency -

Mark recently won the UK Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation event in Paisley in the light-heavyweight category of Mr Scotland.

It was the seventh time in his 22-year career that Mark has captured a Mr Scotland accolade.

Although he’s been used to finishing first – he’s rarely, if ever, been out of the top three in his competitive career – he said winning is still very satisfying.

In his under 90 kilos category, he was judged on compulsory poses, as well as shape, size, condition and muscularity.

He was also competing recently closer to home, in Glenrothes, at the National Amateur Bodybuilders’ Association (NABBA) contest, while he’s off soon to the UK finals of the BFF event.

Mark also won an overall Mr Scotland title in 2009 and also has a third-place finish under his belt at European championship level.

He trains four or five times a week, doing weights and cardio training – and consumes an eats 10 meals a day.

Aged 44, Mark took up the sport in 1994 after straying into it almost by accident.

He is sales manager for Irn Bru in the east of Scotland – and lifting all those crates helped develop his muscles. “It was just one of those things,” he said modestly.

Mark trains at Dowie’s gym in Leven, where he is sponsored by boss Anton Putka, while his prep coach is Vicky McCann and his training partner is Derek Gallacher.

He also gets much encouragement from wife Anita, and sons Bodhi (10) and Dalton (16), who now trains with him.