Forestry Commission Scotland - 7stanes business opportunities

Mountain biking - the business context

Cover of the 7stanes Business Development Pack. Contact the 7stanes to receive a copy. Mountain biking (MTB) is a popular and growing sport in the UK, with an estimated 5.5m bikers. Scotland was awarded 'Global Superstar' status by the International Mountain Biking Association in 2006, with 7stanes playing a key part in the country gaining this reputation.

The 7stanes is a partnership project (for partner details see the contact us page) which recently finished its second phase. The emphasis of phase two was to create more trails for family, novice and entry-level riders, thus expanding the appeal of the 7stanes overall.

An evaluation of phase two of the project showed that almost 400,000 mountain bikers are now visiting the trail centres on an annual basis bringing in over £9million to the economy of the south of Scotland.

Based on this demand, there are business development opportunities for accommodation providers and local businesses offering products or services to mountain bikers.

Resources we can provide

The 7stanes business development pack

Our development pack contains:

Background to the 7stanes
Marketing hints and tips specifically for the MTB market
Development ideas for businesses and specifically for accommodation providers
Several case studies.

Materials for your website

We can provide you with text, a number of images and the official 7stanes logo if you are keen to raise awareness of the attractions of riding the 7stanes and/or to add an extra dimension to your business's web site. Please note that there are some conditions attached to the use of the logo - details will be provided on application.

In addition, there are RSS feeds available which can be used to embed the latest 7stanes news and trail conditions into your website (see the 7stanes RSS feeds for more details). You can also embed our Twitter feed on your site and you might want to link to the 7stanes blog.

There is also a useful interactive map of the 7stanes area available on Google maps which you can link to or embed in your site.

Can I use what's on the 7stanes site?

All text and images on the 7stanes website are copyrighted and cannot be reproduced without permission, which is why we've put together a package of text and images for you to use on your own site. You are of course free to provide your own! If you have any questions regarding the use of text, images or maps on this site, please contact 7stanes@forestry.gsi.gov.uk.

How to get the resources

To obtain the business pack (either hard copy or PDF electronic version) and to be sent the resources for use on your website, please complete the business interest form.

Fill in the business interest form.

Once you've submitted your form, we'll provide you with the materials you requested and if you've asked us to, we'll contact you to discuss potential business development opportunities.

The 7stanes business forums

Two mountain biking business groups have been set up, one in the eastern 7stanes area and one in the western area.

In the east, the Tweed Valley Tourist Consortia have developed a mountain biking sub-group to take forward marketing possibilities in the Scottish Borders. In the west, a group of businesses has formed a sub-group to the Dumfries and Galloway Chamber of Commerce with objectives related to marketing and making more of the 7stanes. For more information, contact:

Tweed Valley Tourist Consortia (7stanes eastern area) : Iain Withers. email: iain@mb7.com
Dumfries and Galloway Chamber of Commerce (7stanes western area) : Amanda Hyde. Tel: 01387 270866

The 7stanes business newsletter

The dedicated 7stanes business newsletter will help you keep up to date with the progress of the 7stanes, potential business opportunities and any new case studies as they become available. Go to the 7stanes newsletters subscription page to register. Please note this link opens in a new window.

Who to contact

Contact the 7stanes team:

Telephone: 01387 272440
Fax: 01387 251491
Email: 7stanes@forestry.gsi.gov.uk.

Contact the mountain biking business groups:

Tweed Valley Consortium (7stanes eastern area) : Richard & Deirdre Latimer. Email: info@glentrailhouse.com.
Dumfries and Galloway Chamber of Commerce (7stanes western area) : Amanda Hyde. Tel: 01387 270866. The Chamber of Commerce has created a Mountain Bike Business Network (MBBN) for businesses involved directly or indeirectly in providing services to users of the 7stanes.

Contact your local Business Gateway:

Scottish Borders
Ettrick Riverside
Dunsdale Road
Selkirk
TD7 5EB
Telephone: 01750 505 046

Dumfries & Galloway
16 Buccleuch Street
Dumfries
DG1 2AH
Telephone: 01387 266 644

Or visit the Business Gateway website.

Nuts and bolts

Business Gateway

Bits and pieces

Worth a look

International Mountain Biking Association (UK)

Skip banner navigation \| Skip all navigation Home Quick links Library Help
The 7stanes sites: GLENTROOL KIRROUGHTREE DALBEATTIE MABIE AE GLENTRESS & INNERLEITHEN NEWCASTLETON
Home News Events Trail conditions Trail grades Getting there Skills & riding tips Accommodation & services Information for businesses Contact us		7stanes information for businesses Mountain biking - the business context Mountain biking (MTB) is a popular and growing sport in the UK, with an estimated 5.5m bikers. Scotland was awarded 'Global Superstar' status by the International Mountain Biking Association in 2006, with 7stanes playing a key part in the country gaining this reputation. The 7stanes is a partnership project (for partner details see the contact us page) which recently finished its second phase. The emphasis of phase two was to create more trails for family, novice and entry-level riders, thus expanding the appeal of the 7stanes overall. An evaluation of phase two of the project showed that almost 400,000 mountain bikers are now visiting the trail centres on an annual basis bringing in over £9million to the economy of the south of Scotland. Based on this demand, there are business development opportunities for accommodation providers and local businesses offering products or services to mountain bikers. Resources we can provide The 7stanes business development pack Our development pack contains: Background to the 7stanes Marketing hints and tips specifically for the MTB market Development ideas for businesses and specifically for accommodation providers Several case studies. Materials for your website We can provide you with text, a number of images and the official 7stanes logo if you are keen to raise awareness of the attractions of riding the 7stanes and/or to add an extra dimension to your business's web site. Please note that there are some conditions attached to the use of the logo - details will be provided on application. In addition, there are RSS feeds available which can be used to embed the latest 7stanes news and trail conditions into your website (see the 7stanes RSS feeds for more details). You can also embed our Twitter feed on your site and you might want to link to the 7stanes blog. There is also a useful interactive map of the 7stanes area available on Google maps which you can link to or embed in your site. Can I use what's on the 7stanes site? All text and images on the 7stanes website are copyrighted and cannot be reproduced without permission, which is why we've put together a package of text and images for you to use on your own site. You are of course free to provide your own! If you have any questions regarding the use of text, images or maps on this site, please contact 7stanes@forestry.gsi.gov.uk. How to get the resources To obtain the business pack (either hard copy or PDF electronic version) and to be sent the resources for use on your website, please complete the business interest form. Fill in the business interest form. Once you've submitted your form, we'll provide you with the materials you requested and if you've asked us to, we'll contact you to discuss potential business development opportunities. The 7stanes business forums Two mountain biking business groups have been set up, one in the eastern 7stanes area and one in the western area. In the east, the Tweed Valley Tourist Consortia have developed a mountain biking sub-group to take forward marketing possibilities in the Scottish Borders. In the west, a group of businesses has formed a sub-group to the Dumfries and Galloway Chamber of Commerce with objectives related to marketing and making more of the 7stanes. For more information, contact: Tweed Valley Tourist Consortia (7stanes eastern area) : Iain Withers. email: iain@mb7.com Dumfries and Galloway Chamber of Commerce (7stanes western area) : Amanda Hyde. Tel: 01387 270866 The 7stanes business newsletter The dedicated 7stanes business newsletter will help you keep up to date with the progress of the 7stanes, potential business opportunities and any new case studies as they become available. Go to the 7stanes newsletters subscription page to register. Please note this link opens in a new window. Who to contact Contact the 7stanes team: Telephone: 01387 272440 Fax: 01387 251491 Email: 7stanes@forestry.gsi.gov.uk. Contact the mountain biking business groups: Tweed Valley Consortium (7stanes eastern area) : Richard & Deirdre Latimer. Email: info@glentrailhouse.com. Dumfries and Galloway Chamber of Commerce (7stanes western area) : Amanda Hyde. Tel: 01387 270866. The Chamber of Commerce has created a Mountain Bike Business Network (MBBN) for businesses involved directly or indeirectly in providing services to users of the 7stanes. Contact your local Business Gateway: Scottish Borders Ettrick Riverside Dunsdale Road Selkirk TD7 5EB Telephone: 01750 505 046 Dumfries & Galloway 16 Buccleuch Street Dumfries DG1 2AH Telephone: 01387 266 644 Or visit the Business Gateway website. Nuts and bolts Business Gateway Bits and pieces 7stanes phase 2 evaluation report 7stanes merchandise What are the 7stanes? Worth a look International Mountain Biking Association (UK)

7stanes information for businesses