Funding bids to boost Scots mountain biking levels

Heading for the hills should be set to become a lot easier as further Scottish government money has been pledged towards accessible mountain biking.

Although participation in the sport has soared over the past two decades, several sections of society have been left behind.

With Holyrood support of £120,000, Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBinS) is launching programmes for people who are financially struggling, have physical disabilities or mental health issues.

After completing trails at Glentress, outside Peebles, sports minister Maree Todd said she hoped even more people would soon be having the same experiences.

"It feels great to be out in the hills - it's a powerful way of either staying or becoming healthy as well as socialising," she said.

"The benefits of mountain biking are widespread and there is support from across government as it helps tourism, the rural economy and the health of our population."

She said DMBinS was "great at making a lot from a small amount of money".

"They can make an impact by collaborating and coming up with new ideas," she said.

"We have great assets - like here at Glentress which is not far from the central belt - and there are electric bikes now which can help you onto the hills."

As well as launching programmes to encourage more people onto the trails, DMBinS is exploring the creation of links between active travel routes and off-road trails.

DMBinS head Graeme McLean said: "Getting people onto bikes is going to be hugely important for our health, wellbeing and transport.

"There's a whole range of people who maybe aren't as privileged as us to be regularly riding bikes - this could be because of affordability, mental health issues or a physical disability.

"We have programmes for all of those groups to help them access mountain biking and experience beautiful places like Glentress."