A new era in mountain biking began in northern Scotland today (27/9) when the Laggan Wolftrax trails in Achduchil Forest at Laggan in Badenoch, southern Inverness-shire, opened for business.

The 14 kilometres (8.75 miles) of trails cater for different levels of riders, with sections graded from moderate to difficult and severe. They are expected to provide an economic boost for the local community in the form of visiting riders using local accommodation, hospitality, food and fuel providers.

Cairngorms National Park Authority Convenor Andrew Thin fired a flare to send the first riders on their way and declare the trails officially open, and said,

"Not only do mountain bike courses provide an exciting location where we can get out and stretch the sinews and get the cardiac muscles working to improve our health, they are also an important contributor to rural development. This was clearly seen in Fort William during the World Championships, when I hear that visitors had to come as far as Laggan and other surrounding areas to find a bed. I am sure this new course will also be well used by the range of outdoor centres operating in this beautiful area.

"The choice of name for these trails, Laggan WolfTrax, is an inspired one. It points to the wild self reliance and speed of the wolf, characteristics of many mountain-bikers. It also points to that historical local villain, the Wolf of Badenoch. I understand that some of the features of the trails are linked to his notorious past, with one tricky rocky section named the 'Devil’s Chessboard', recalling the Wolf of Badenoch’s last evening on Earth, when he was reputed to have been seen playing chess with the Devil.

"I am delighted that this course has been developed within the Cairngorms National Park. It is one of the first major outdoor recreation facilities to be developed within the Park. This is fitting, because when the Scottish Executive set up National Parks, in addition to wanting them to look after the special qualities of the areas, it wanted them to provide opportunities for recreation and rural development with the full involvement of communities."

Achduchil Forest is part of Strathmashie Forest, an area of national forest jointly managed by a formal partnership between Forestry Commission Scotland and the Laggan Forest Trust. Welcoming the new trails, Trust chair Jo Cumming said,

“We are delighted with the development of the new mountainbike trails at Laggan, and thank all the many people who helped us grasp the opportunity.

"This is the next step in developing a rounded leisure experience for the Laggan community and visitors: the challenging mountain bike trails; the quiet tracks and forest roads; trekking on the gentle Haflinger ponies; walking, visiting archaeological sites and enjoying nature, all accompanied by good food and our famed hospitality in and around the forest, providing an experience for all. We look forward to welcoming more visitors to our beautiful part of the Cairngorms National Park.”

The Wolftrax trails comprise 6.4km (4 miles) of black-graded trails for skilled riders, 6.2km (3.9 miles) of red trails for intermediate riders, and 1.4km (0.9 miles) of blue "fun park" trails. Cafe, toilets, bike hire and repair services are provided on site at "Laggan BaseCamp". The trails were designed by CycleTherapy, a new cycle consultancy based in Aviemore.

The £204,000 funding to develop the trails comprised £139,000 from Forestry Commission Scotland and the Scottish Executive, £20,000 from Moray, Badenoch & Strathspey Enterprise, £25,000 from Scottish Natural Heritage, £15,000 from Cairngorms National Park Authority, and £5000 from The Highland Council.

• Riders can get further information about the Laggan Wolftrax trails and BaseCamp MTB by visiting www.basecampmtb.com; email: info@basecampmtb.com; telephone 07891 169817.

NOTES TO EDITOR:

1. The Laggan Wolftrax trails are the first of what, it is hoped, will be a cluster of challenging mountain biking routes in national forests in north Scotland to complement the famous 7Stanes cluster across the south of Scotland. Planning permission was recently granted to develop a trail network in Learnie Forest on the Black Isle, which now only requires European funding approval before work can start; and Forestry Commission Scotland is working with local partners to upgrade and extend trails in national forests at Fochabers, Moray
2. One of the features on the trails, a huge slab on the red route, has been named Air's Rock, after Dorothy Air, in honour of her work with the Laggan Forest Trust Forestry Company to bring the mountain bike trails to Laggan.
3. Other recreational opportunities available in Strathmashie Forest include pony trekking with a local stables operator, and an extensive network of walking trails developed with assistance from the Millennium Forest for Scotland Trust.
4. Forestry Commission Scotland serves as the Scottish Executive's forestry department. It manages 667,000 hectares of national forest lands owned by Scottish Ministers for multiple benefits, including nature conservation, public recreation and timber production; supports other woodland owners with grants, felling licences, advice and regulation; promotes the benefits of forests and forestry; and advises Ministers on forestry policy.
5. The Laggan Forest Trust and the Laggan Forest Trust Forestry Company have their routes in the local community, and jointly manage the forests of Strathmashie in a formal 25-year partnership agreement with Forestry Commission Scotland. The partnership is an example of a range of methods by which the Scottish Executive encourages community involvement in the management of local forests to provide the full range of potential benefits from them.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

• Forestry Commission Scotland - Charlton Clark, press office, 0131 314 6507; mobile 07810 181067; or David Jardine, District Manager, Inverness Forest District, 01463 791575; mobile 07747 761349. (Please note that mobile phone reception in the Laggan area can be unreliable.)
• Laggan Forest Trust - Ms Jo Cumming, chair, 01540 673821