Glentress Masterplan to be completed with skills area

Forestry & Land Scotland (FLS) will next week (23 June) start work on a new mountain bike skills area at Glentress.

Expected to be completed mid-October, the skills area will mark the completion of the Glentress Masterplan, which will cement Glentress’s reputation as one of the UK’s leading destinations for mountain biking and a world-class visitor destination.

The new skills area will include features including a mini mountain biking zone, roller zone, cornering zone, drop and technical zones that offer changes to surface, levels and conditions designed to encourage and assist young, novice and inexperienced riders to develop their skills safely.

Paul Andrews-Garth, FLS Project Manager, said;

“This latest milestone marks the end of the Glentress Masterplan but also marks the beginning of the next chapter for this fantastic, multi-use destination.  

“From its inception, this has been a high-intensity project that set out to reinvigorate this amazing south Scotland attraction, broadening its appeal and significantly improving the offering for all visitors.

“Expanding on the 72km of networked mountain biking trails that we manage here, the Masterplan has delivered over 16 kilometres of new dedicated mountain bike trails for all abilities, created accessible multi-user pathways and new routes into the forest for walkers, wheelchair users, horse riders, pony trekkers and cyclists.

“We have worked hard to make this an inclusive destination with something for families, young people, new and novice riders, adaptive riders and, of course, the wider mountain biking community. The skills area is the perfect way to round off the project.”

Growing visitor numbers at Glentress attest to the success of the Masterplan, which has also included the development of holiday cabins in a multi-million pound Forest Holidays investment.

Work on the skills area will be carried in an environmentally sensitive way and will include landscaping to reduce the visual impact of the new facilities and enhance the ecological value of the area. 

FLS’ build partner for the skills area is CRC, which has wealth of experience in the design, development, building and maintenance of MTB trails and facilities across Scotland.

Paul added;

“It’s crucial to a successful build that the ground works are given time to settle. Our team will be working on the features through the week but the work area will be closed off at the weekends. We’d like to thank visitors in advance for their patience in waiting until the official opening before trying out the skills area.”

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