Forestry Commission - News - minister puts newcastleton biking on the map

A brand-new mountain bike centre in the Borders village of Newcastleton aims to attract visitors from all over Britain.

The centre is based within Forestry Commission Scotland's Newcastleton Forest and aims to encourage more people to take to the saddle and try out mountain biking on a selection of five short, fun-packed trails.

The network of trails is part of the Euro-funded 7stanes project that is creating seven purpose-built biking venues in forests right across the south of Scotland.

Launching the trails, Forestry Minister Allan Wilson said:

"Newcastleton's new network of biking trails aim to bring mountain bikers and visitors flocking to the area, giving the local economy a much-needed boost. Already, other 7stanes centres have been getting very good reviews, helping to drive up south Scotland's reputation for being a major destination for world-class mountain biking.

"The success of projects like the 7stanes depends very much on communities and other partners working very closely together. It's been great to hear that the local community in Newcastleton has been so active in supporting the project, and this will go along way to making it a big success."

The trail network consists of two beginners' routes of 5km and 7km, a more challenging red route of 12km and a short, black-graded section which is for experts only. To help bring in more newcomers to mountain biking, a new skills loop has been built to allow first-timers to build up their talents before progressing on to the trails.

Newcastleton's trails are also to feature as part of a showpiece event at the forthcoming Holm Show, the popular and long-established agricultural show in the Borders. The Holm-to-Holm mountain bike race is to take place on the 28th August and will showcase the new network of trails as part of the race route. Local community representatives are keen to help show off what Newcastleton's trails have to offer visitors, as local councillor Val Robson explained:

"Everyone has been looking forward to the completion and the opening of the Newcastleton trails. This area has long needed something different in the way of tourism development and also for local people themselves. This project involves sport, skills, exercise, excitement and entertainment, for all ages, in a wonderful rural location where visitors can be assured of a very warm welcome and excellent hospitality.

"The Community agreed that the local agricultural show offered a great opportunity to launch the first event on these new trails. This event demonstrates farming and forestry united, to help put us squarely on the national map of mountain bike centres. I am very pleased to have been involved in this great development."

In addition to Newcastleton, the 7stanes project has new mountain bike centres at Glentress and Innerleithen in the Borders and at Mabie, Dalbeattie and Kirroughtree in Dumfries & Galloway. By the end of this year more trails will be opened in Ae Forest near Dumfries and at Glentrool in Galloway Forest Park.

Karl Bartlett, 7stanes project manager said:

"The 7stanes project has a superb reputation of building great trails which are very popular with mountain bikers. We are keen to bring the fantastic sport of mountain biking to as many people as possible and to make sure that local communities and the south of Scotland economy benefits from the influx of visitors.

"Each centre that we've opened is attracting bikers from all over Britain and even overseas, but they are not just for the experts or real enthusiasts. Newcastleton can cater for experienced mountain bikers, but is also a brilliant resource for local people to use as well. They'll find trails for all levels of riding. I'd urge everyone to give it a go and see how much fun mountain biking actually is."

The Rush mountain bike shop in Jedburgh has also teamed up with Forestry Commission Scotland to provide bike hire, refreshments, guided rides and advice on the trails from the Dykecroft Visitor Centre. This service for visitors will be up and running soon. For more information about the trails and other 7stanes centres, log on to

www.7stanes.gov.uk

Entry forms for the Hol- to-Holm bike race can be obtained from Val Robson by calling 01387 375454; The Rush bike shop, High Street, Jedburgh; Tourist Information Centres; Newcastleton Heritage centre; Forestry Commission Scotland's Selkirk office on 01750 721120; or the forestry office at Glentress Forest, Cardrona Forest, Craik Forest and Newcastleton Forest.

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. All the partners joined forces to raise �1 million towards the initiative, and match-funding from Europe brought the �2 million project to life. The Scottish Association for Mental Health has also been supporting the project.

Media enquiries:

Steve Williams, Forestry Commission Scotland press office 0131 314 6508.