Following the delivery of its 'Glentress Masterplan', Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is now seeking to develop the remaining 7stanes destinations.
The 7stanes mountain bike development revolutionized mountain biking in the UK, establishing seven locations of dedicated mountain bike trails in the early 2000s. In 2022 the FLS broke ground on its Glentress Masterplan, which would see 16km of new trails added to the 7stanes flagship trail center and would host the cross-country, marathon, and short track during the 2023 UCI Cycling World Champships.
The FLS is now turning its attention to the other six mountain bike locations in its portfolio; Ae, Dalbeattie, Innerleithen, Glentrool, Kirroughtree, Mabie, and Newcastleton.
Newcastleton and Dalbeattie will be the first sites to be looked at, with Glentrool and Kirroughtree to follow next year.
Drop-in sessions for the Newcastleton redevelopment will be held at Buccleuch House, 4 South Hermitage Street, Newcastleton on:
- Thursday 29 February 2024 – 14:00 to 20:00
- Friday 1 March 2024 – 10:00 to 16:00
- Saturday 2 March 2024 –10:00 to 13:00
The feedback questionnaire and concept map for Newcastleton are also online. Dates for similar sessions focussing on Dalbeattie will be advertised in March.
The upcoming consultations will allow individuals, local groups, and interested stakeholders to discuss the FLS proposals for the sites with the hope of sustainably supporting regional tourism and boosting the local economy.
These consultations will look beyond mountain biking to turn these locations into multi-activity sites, better catering to families and disabled visitors and catering to wider outdoor activities including walking and horse riding.
“Our initial ideas will be developed with Borderland funding, but achieving the best results for the longer term will need a collaborative effort with communities, businesses, government, and public bodies.
"We believe that’s the best way to create an achievable blueprint that will guide future rural sustainable tourism investment to improve the economy in the south of Scotland," says Stuart Chalmers, FLS National Visitor Services Manager.
