Funding Support Announced For Scottish Mountain Biking

3rd May 2019

Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, formally launched the Scottish Mountain Bike Strategy for 2019 -2025 this week.

Scottish Government funding for both Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland and Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland for the next 3 years was also announced.

The six-year strategy has been developed on behalf of all those with a stake in Scottish mountain biking, whether they be riders, the tourism industry, or product designers and manufacturers.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) supported the development of the strategy and is a partner of the Mountain Bike consortium.

Audrey Maclennan, senior development manager for tourism at HIE, said: "The Highland region is a world-renowned mountain biking destination. We are proud to support the adventure tourism sector of which mountain biking is an important part and contributes to the region's economy.

"We welcome the strategy which sets out an inspiring and ambitious vision in Scotland over the next six years. We look forward to working with our partners in helping to create the infrastructure that provides everyone in Scotland with more opportunities to grow the mountain biking sector and its supply chain."

The strategy comes at an exciting time for mountain biking in Scotland with the country due to host the UCI World Championships in 2023. New trail developments are in the pipeline, as well as success on the global stage from Scottish riders, a growing number of innovative tourism and product development businesses and many targeted participation programmes running across Scotland.n Scotland over the next six years and beyond.

Tourism Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “Mountain biking is a growing activity in Scotland and this revised and ambitious strategy is very timely.

“I welcome the strategy's threefold aim to increase participation, to support developing athletes and to increase the economic contribution of the sector to the wider Scottish economy.

“Key to the successful delivery of the strategy will be the work of Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland, who play an important role in overseeing the strategy, and Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland, who will drive forward innovation across Scottish mountain biking. That is why we have committed to investing in these organisations, allowing them to work towards a sustainable future."