Her Sons Laughed at Her TikTok Fame—Until One Viral Paycheck Changed Everything

Fiona MacBain, a 55-year-old mom of three from Inverness, Scotland, has become a viral sensation on TikTok with her page @FionaintheWild. Known for documenting her camping adventures across the Scottish Highlands, she has amassed more than 185,000 followers. Surprisingly, MacBain only began sleeping outdoors in 2023, using her videos to overcome a lifelong fear of the dark.

Her first viral clip, filmed inside her tent during a night without phone signal, captured her genuine emotions of boredom and unease. Posted without edits, the video quickly gained over 181,000 views, marking the start of her unexpected rise as a content creator.

Sons’ Initial Hesitation

At home, MacBain is a devoted mother to her 27-year-old daughter and two teenage sons. While her daughter embraced her online fame, her sons were initially hesitant. They worried about peers noticing their mom’s TikTok presence, especially videos of her dancing outside her tent.

“They were a bit uncertain about people seeing their mum doing TikTok dances,” MacBain admitted. Local recognition added to their discomfort as her popularity grew.

Winning Them Over

The turning point came when MacBain used her TikTok Creator Fund earnings to treat her children to a holiday in Sicily. With monthly checks of around £1,000 ($1,350 USD), she financed a trip filled with volcano visits and family adventures. “I said, ‘This is being paid for by TikTok,’” she explained. That gesture erased any doubts her sons had about her viral fame.

A Supportive Family

Today, her sons are supportive of her online presence, even if they don’t appear in her videos. Her daughter occasionally joins her TikToks and has been a steady cheerleader from the start. For MacBain, the journey has been about more than content creation—it’s been about conquering fears, building confidence, and sharing joy with her family.

A Second Career

Beyond her role in local government administration, MacBain’s TikTok success has become a second career. Her camping videos resonate globally, while her community in Scotland has embraced her as a local celebrity. What began as a way to pass time in the dark has transformed into a platform that connects her with audiences worldwide—and strengthens her bond with her children.