WORK BEGINS ON NEW LAGGAN BIKING CENTRE

Construction work has begun on the new mountain bike trails planned at Strathmashie Forest, near Laggan in Inverness-shire.

The plans to build a mountain bike facility, including a network of trails, are being taken forward by Forestry Commission Scotland in partnership with the Laggan Forest Trust and Scottish Natural Heritage. It is expected that all the facilities will be completed within about six months, in time for a public opening.

The network of trails will consist of technically challenging routes for experienced riders of different levels of competence, alongside an easy but fun route for beginners. A mountain bike centre – "Base Camp" – will be put in place to provide car parking, bike hire and repair, refreshments and showers for riders.

David Jardine, the Commission's Inverness District Manager, said,

"We are very pleased that progress on the mountain bike centre at Laggan is moving forward. There's already been a lot of positive interest from the mountain bike community, so, in time, we expect to see the place buzzing with bikers and visitors of all abilities and ages. The influx of bikers and tourists eager to try out mountain biking in Laggan will have good spin-offs for the local rural economy."

Meanwhile, the Commission is asking mountain bikers to help it get the work done faster by keeping away during the construction phase, as Mr Jardine explained,

"We know there's a demand for more riding in the area, and mountain bikers will be keen to try out the new trails, but over the next few months we are asking everyone not to ride on the unfinished singletrack until it is properly built. Riding on unfinished trail can cause a lot of damage. I'm sure that if everyone does their bit we'll have the trails ready on time."

Jo Cumming, Chair of the Laggan Forest Trust, added,

“Mountain bikers can be sure of a warm welcome in Laggan. No doubt some bikers will just want to hit the mountain bike trails to enjoy the thrills and spills. However, other visitors can enjoy a multi-activity experience with walking, pony trekking, fishing, or a visit to our craft centres and archaeological sites. For those who wish to tarry a while, we can offer comfortable accommodation to suit all budgets, and meals for all tastes, whether delicious home baking, bar meals or restaurant dinners.”

The Strathmashie Forest mountainbiking project brings to 11 the number of such centres either open, under construction or planned on national forest lands in Scotland.

NOTES TO EDITOR:

1. Strathmashie Forest is a national forest owned by Scottish Ministers and jointly managed by a formal partnership of Forestry Commission Scotland and the local community, whose interests are represented by the Laggan Forest Trust and the Laggan Forest Trust Forestry Company.
2. Forestry Commission Scotland serves as the Scottish Executive's forestry department. Scottish Natural Heritage is the Executive's statutory advisor on the natural heritage.

Media enquiries:
Forestry Commission Scotland - Charlton Clark, press office: 0131 314 6507;
Laggan Forest Trust - Jo Cumming, chair, 01540 673821.

e-mail: steve.williams@forestry.gsi.gov.uk