Call for mountain bikers to steer away from all-abilities trails

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is urging mountain bikers in the Highlands to stick to allotted, designed trails after some have been making use of a new all-abilities path.

The FLS team in the area has recently spent £23,000 bringing the trail at Contin up to an all-abilities standard, as well as improving the car park.

But the new path has already attracted the attentions of local mountain bike riders.

Laura Turtle FLS Visitor Services Area Manager, said;

“This path upgrade at Contin, along with improvements to the existing trail at Aldie Burn, make these locations more inclusive and welcoming to visitors that might not be able to easily access many of our other forests.

“We appreciate that it will be attractive to a lot of different people but it’s not really designed for mountain bikers or for fast riding.

“Wheelchairs and buggies, yes, and we wouldn’t mind young children learning to ride their bikes on these paths.

“But for the experienced and older mountain bikers, There are plenty of legitimate paths and trails around the area for them to enjoy, so we’d ask that they show a bit of consideration and leave these paths to those who will enjoy them most."

Notes to Editors

1. Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) manages forests and land owned by Scottish Ministers in a way that supports and enables economically sustainable forestry; conserves and enhances the environment; delivers benefits for people and nature; and supports Scottish Ministers in their stewardship of Scotland's national forests and land.
2. Home - Forestry and Land Scotland | twitter.com/ForestryLS
3. Media enquiries to Paul Munro, Senior Media Manager, Forestry and Land Scotland Media Office 07785 527590 or paul.munro@forestryandland.gov.scot