Mountain biking in the south of Scotland is set to jump up another gear with a cash boost of £1.7 million for the 7stanes project.

The funding was announced today by Allan Wilson, Deputy Minister for Lifelong Learning, when he gave details of a number of projects, including the 7stanes, receiving European match funding in the south of Scotland.

Rob Soutar, Forest District Manager of Forestry Commission Scotland in Galloway, welcomed the Minister's announcement:

"The news that mountain biking in the south of Scotland is set to grow even bigger is fantastic." he said. "The 7stanes project has helped Scotland become one of the top five destinations in the world for mountain biking. The tourism spin offs are obvious, and as the sport grows, we can expect the buzz that surrounds riding in Scotland to get even louder."

The 7stanes project has just completed its first three year phase by building seven biking centres in Forestry Commission Scotland forests in the south of Scotland, from the Borders right across to Dumfries and Galloway. Estimates already show that the 7stanes project could be bringing over £3 million to the local economy and £6 million to Scotland as a whole.

The project has built biking centres in the Tweed Valley (Glentress and Traquair), Newcastleton, Dalbeattie, Kirroughtree, Mabie, Ae and Glentrool forests. The new trails cater mainly for intermediate and experienced mountain bikers, but the funding for a second phase will go towards encouraging new people into the sport.

There are plans to extend the current trail network for beginners and families with facilities being provided for the disabled to go biking too. The 7stanes project  partnership  also wishes to build more contacts with community groups to get them more involved in biking therefore a new outreach programme will be kick started. In recognition of the range of work to be undertaken in the second phase of the 7stanes project, a strengthened project team will be formed.

The new funding package will last for another three years and aims to consolidate Scotland as being a world leader in mountain biking.

The 7stanes project is being managed by Forestry Commission Scotland with partners Scottish Enterprise Dumfries & Galloway, Dumfries & Galloway and Scottish Borders Tourist Boards, Scottish Enterprise Borders, Scottish Borders Council, Dumfries & Galloway Council, Scottish Natural Heritage, Solway Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund. The Scottish Association for Mental Health has also been supporting the project. Including the new funding package,  by 2007, a total of £3.6 million  will have been invested in the project, almost half of it match funded from Europe.

Notes to news editors

1. A separate news release detailing a range of European funded projects was announced by Allan Wilson, Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, at a conference in Wigtown today (25 August). Contact Claire Delaney in the Scottish Executive press office on 0131 244 2547 for details.

2. Quality action pictures of mountain biking in the 7stanes are available by calling Steve Williams, Forestry Commission Scotland press office 0131 314 6508 or emailing steve.williams@forestry.gsi.gov.uk.

3. Media enquiries on the 7stanes project to Steve Williams, Forestry Commission Scotland press office 0131 314 6508.