Cash boost for Tarland Trails
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FUNDING has been secured to build new mountain bike trails in Aberdeenshire.
The new trails are an expansion to the existing Tarland Trails, and the Tarland Development Group will receive £750,000 towards the project.
The funding, provided by Scottish Enterprise and Sportscotland and Scottish Cycling's Cycling Facilities Fund, will allow work to start immediately.
Sports Minister Maree Todd said: “I’m delighted that communities in Aberdeenshire will benefit from this investment through the Cycling Facilities Fund.
“Facilities such as this will act as a catalyst for change, support the increase in people cycling during the pandemic and deliver a lasting legacy following the 2023 Cycling World Championships.
“Being active outdoors has such a positive impact on health and wellbeing and helps us achieve our vision of an active Scotland where everyone benefits from sport and physical activity for their physical, mental and social health.”
Existing trails are still recovering from a battering by recent storms and staff involved hope the new funding will make the mountain biking opportunities even better than before the devastation.
Trail construction specialists CRC will be building the new trails, which will include blue, red and orange graded trails on the Pressendye and Pittenderich hills.
Riders will have a clear view across the Howe of Cromar, a trail head with 100 parking spaces and eco-friendly toilet facilities.
The Macrobert Trust Estate and private landowner Mr and Mrs Dalgarno have provided a lease to secure the project site for years to come.
Chairperson of the Tarland Development Group Chris Redmond said: ”It is fantastic to realise our ambition of creating a trail centre in Aberdeenshire.
"Our first phase was opened in 2015 and has been an amazing success for the area providing locals and visitors, particularly children, young people, and families, with an opportunity to ride safe, fun, and accessible trails.
“This new development will help the village sustain its business community, attract young families to the area, retain young people in this rural area, and help improve the physical and mental health of users.
“The trail centre has been realised by the commitment of our volunteer board and I would like to thank my fellow trustees as well as the landowners for their time, energy, and expertise to make this happen.
"I would also like to extend my thanks to those who have supported us, particularly, Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland and North East Adventure Tourism, and all the funders of the project.”
Stewart Harris, chief executive of Sportscotland, said: “Scotland already has a fantastic reputation for adventure sports and by working together with a range of partners including the Scottish Government, Scottish Cycling, the National Lottery, and local partners, we can continue to develop sustainable projects that will meet the growing demand.
“With the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships coming to Scotland people will be inspired to try cycling in all its forms and with this development of Tarland Trails, aspiring and existing mountain bikers will have a fantastic facility to test their skills and progress in the sport.”
North East Scotland has been identified as an emerging destination within the Scottish Mountain Bike Strategy, which includes the creation of a large-scale purpose-built trail centre as a key strategic action.
Will Clarke, Aberdeenshire mountain biking and adventure tourism development manager, said: "DMBinS and NEAT are delighted to have supported the delivery of this project by securing this critical funding. Tarland Trails 2 will contribute to many long-term ambitions shared by the NEAT partners around health and wellbeing, active lifestyles, athlete progression pathways and sustainable economic benefits for Aberdeenshire.
“We have been working with a range of community driven projects over the last four years and we hope this is just the start of more infrastructure projects being delivered in the area.
“NEAT aims to harness the north east’s vast array of natural assets, transforming a rapidly growing sector into a market facing industry, creating sustainable growth and jobs for rural communities.
"Within 10 years, projects included in NEAT could increase visitor spend in the region by over £120 million and create 500 jobs."
