developing mountain biking in scotland€¦ · web viewdeveloping mountain biking in scotland....
TRANSCRIPT
Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland
HIGHLANDS CLUSTER STUDY
Final Report
21st MARCH 2012
Centre for Recreation and Tourism Research
Executive Summary
The Centre for Recreation and Tourism Research was commissioned by Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland to undertake a desk-based research exercise that sought to map the current provision of mountain biking in the Highlands, identify the principal gaps in that provision, quantify the economic benefits of Highlands mountain biking, and make recommendations for its future development.
Current ProvisionThe exercise to map mountain biking provision identified:
Vast number of natural trails in all areas of the Highlands and a number of purpose built trail centres across the region
A reasonable support network for mountain biking tourism in the Highlands with some areas being especially well equipped with bike-friendly accommodation and bike shops. Fantastic events, including the UCI Downhill World Cup at Fort William and endurance events such as Strathpuffer and 10 Under the Ben.
Supporting participation and sport development across the Highlands there was a busy programme within schools, led by Active Schools, and a number of mountain biking clubs which are at various degrees of maturity.
Gaps in Provision
A series of general gaps in the provision were also identified: Navigation - issues with signage and mapping; Lifecycle issues, a lack of promoted beginner and family trails and
underdeveloped youth provision in some areas; Sustainability - issues of liability, responsibility and maintenance; Networking and integration - the lack of an identifiable brand and integrated
marketing and promotion for Highlands mountain biking.
Economic Value of Mountain Biking in the Highlands
Using an established methodology and figures, the value of mountain biking as being the main reason to visit, the Highlands is estimated at:
An annual expenditure of £8.14m; Employment of 238 FTEs; Gross Value Added of £4.65m.
It was projected that growth of 30% over the next five years could be achieved, which would see the value of the Highlands mountain biking sector rise in value to:
An annual expenditure of £10.58m; Employ another 71 FTEs: Gross Value Added of £6.06m.
A parallel exercise for the Cairngorms NPA suggests that a full growth scenario would see the sector rise in value from £1.86m to £2.42m, employment rise from 54 FTEs to make a total of 70 FTEs, and have a GVA of £1.38m.
It was also identified the value mountain biking can make within communities to achieve health outcomes. This was especially relevant where communities have considerable ‘assets’ such as facilities and facilitators. The report identifies there is great potential to increase participation especially in and around Fort William, Aviemore, Grantown and Eastern Cairngorms and, with development, in and around Inverness.
Recommendations
A number of key suggestions were made to enable appropriate levels of sectoral growth to be achieved, split into practical and more strategic recommendations. Strategic recommendations include:
Greater use of volunteer groups for trail maintenance (modelled on good practice elsewhere),
The redefinition of paths as ‘multi-use’, The creation and promotion of easier routes, perhaps linking attractions and
facilities, to encourage family use; The more formal designation of mountain biking centres or hubs.
In order to achieve the full growth potential, however, it is proposed that a number of key short-term recommendations need to be implemented:
Lack of an identifiable brand for mountain biking for the Highlands, one that can be as evocative to existing mountain bikers as the 7Stanes, whilst also actively promoting mountain biking to the family market;
In tandem a single Highlands web portal for information related to all things mountain biking, from trails to bike shops and cafes.
More comprehensive signage to and around trails and trail centres needs to be developed, while better trail guides, and improved trail provision for family markets, would help to both broaden the market and encourage more tourists to undertake rides.
The Highlands has a wealth of iconic landscapes and names – from Loch Ness to the Isle of Skye – and wild landscapes unparalleled in the UK. The mountain biking sector needs to capitalise on these assets in a range of ways to ensure its sustainable future.
CONTENTS
Executive Summary
1. Introduction 1
2. Methodology 1
3. Mountain Biking in the Highlands: Provision and Gaps4
4. Quantifying the Value of Highlands’ Mountain Biking13
5. Mountain Biking in the Cairngorms National Park: Provision, Gaps and Economic Quantification 17
6. Recommendations 27
7. Conclusions 53
8. Further Research 55
9. Acknowledgements 57
1. Introduction
In December 2011 the Centre for Recreation and Tourism Research (CRTR) was commissioned by Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBinS) to undertake a desk-based research exercise that had four principal aims:
To map the current provision of mountain biking in the Highlands; To identify the principal gaps in that provision; To quantify the potential economic benefits of Highlands mountain biking;
and To make recommendations for its future development.
This two-month long study was focussed on the Highlands, Moray, Eilean Siar, the islands of Skye, Rum and Eigg and part of the Cairngorms National Park. For the sake of simplicity this area is referred to, in the rest of the report, simply as the ‘Highlands’. The study area, and the principal mountain biking provision, is illustrated in Figure One overleaf. An adjunct study, which forms Section Five of the report, was undertaken to consider the same issues as the principal project within the Cairngorms National Park as a whole.
The study was led by Peter Varley and Steve Taylor at CRTR, in partnership with Nicki Diggins at Inverness College UHI, and Fiona Beattie and Ben Cortis: undergraduates on the BA(Hons) in Adventure Tourism Management at West Highland College UHI in Fort William.
After a brief outline of the methodology, this report is structured to examine: the gaps in mountain biking provision – trails and associated supply chain elements – in the study area; and an economic quantification of mountain biking in the Highlands. Section Five relates specifically to mountain biking in the Cairngorms National Park, following the same methodology as the main study. The recommendations for the future development of the sector forms Section Six, and Section Seven and Eight conclude the report and outline potential future research respectively.
2. Methodology
The development of the study was naturally structured to create an understanding of the provision of mountain biking in the Highlands (and the Cairngorms), as a tool to identify the gaps in that provision. For the purposes of this study ‘mountain biking’ was defined in terms of both what may be traditionally perceived as such – exemplified by riding challenging singletrack trails – as well as what may be defined as ‘off-road’ riding, encompassing less challenging terrain, often on dirt tracks, that may appeal to a more beginner- or family-oriented market.
The consequent recommendations within the report were explored as means of attempting to overcome those gaps in provision. A general quantification of the current and potential value of Highlands mountain biking, using an adopted methodology, was undertaken as a separate exercise, albeit taking cognisance of the other elements of the study.
1
This study was commissioned as a desktop investigation and analysis. To this end, the work undertaken to identify the gaps in provision was largely based on the provision of information available over the Internet. This was supplemented by the interrogation of maps, guide books and magazines as appropriate, along with the study team’s personal knowledge of the sector. This baseline information was augmented by wide-ranging e-mails to, and telephone conversations with, relevant individuals and organisations. Although not a requirement of the study, a number of face-to-face meetings with key stakeholders were also held.
2.1 Mapping Mountain Biking Provision
In order to map mountain bike-related provision the study team discussed the different categories that would be required under which the information would be categorised. This related to obvious tangible provision, as well as supporting infrastructure. The categories were delineated as:
Communities Population size Known trails Trail type Trail network size Trail grade Bike shops Signage Maintenance Mapped route Eateries Accommodation Clubs Accessibility Parking Events Published guides Available guides Issues of conflict
The study area was geographically delineated to aid this process, split into 12 areas (see Section Three), plus another for Cairngorms National Park south (Section Five). A spreadsheet page for mapping provision was created for each area, and populated using the methods described above. Due to the physical size of the spreadsheets they have not been appended to the report, but will be made available electronically.
2.2 Identifying Gaps in Mountain Biking Provision
As a parallel exercise, the team created notes relating to gaps in the provision where these became obvious throughout the mapping exercise. The provision and gaps were discussed in a number of team meetings to develop and refine
2
understanding of the gaps. These meetings were also used as forums to discuss how these gaps could be addressed, directly feeding into the development of recommendations.
2.3 Creating Recommendations for Highlands’ Mountain Biking
Subsequent to a meeting of the DMBinS Highlands Cluster, where the mapping of provision and gaps were discussed, the team concentrated on creating recommendations for the development of mountain biking in the Highlands. The identification of mountain biking provision and gaps was iterative throughout the project however and continued to feed into the process.
2.4 Quantifying the Potential Economic Benefits
As a separate exercise the team used the 2009 EKOS report for Scottish Enterprise on the ‘Economic Value of Mountain Biking in Scotland’ as the basis for quantifying the economic value of the mountain biking sector in the study area and developing three scenarios for growth with associated economic value. The results of the above methodology formed the basis for this client report.
Section Five examines the economic quantification of mountain biking in the Cairngorms National Park only, using a correlative process to that described above.
3. Mountain Biking in the Highlands: Provision and Gaps
The exercise to map mountain biking provision in the Highlands identified that while there are thousands of kilometres of trails that can be ridden, at all levels, which aren’t promoted, there is a series of general gaps in provision. The following issues form a general pattern across the Highlands:
Navigationo Issues with signage, mapping and guide books; ando Differing standards of grading trails.
Lifecycle Issueso Paucity of both promoted and purpose built beginner,
children/young people and family trails;o Much provision targeted at the experienced end of the market,
which is already a ‘committed’ stage and which has involved financial investment by the rider;
o Lack of youth provision, from teenage stage to the serious skills development phase;
o Accessibility issues Connections from urban areas to rural trails Public transport issues;
o Continuing need for challenges – big, notable challenges as indicators of achievement – routes and events; and
o Issues of categorisation – ‘off-road’ cyclists, ‘leisure’ cyclists, mountain bikers, for example.
3
Networking and Integrationo Balancing disparate interests;o Liability issues;o Responsibility issues;o Possible implementation of parking charges;o Dearth of related facilities;o Responsibility for trail maintenance;o Lack of a ‘brand’;o Piecemeal marketing, positioning and promotion;o Lack of recognised ‘centres’;o Conflict between different user groups; and o Concerns over environmental sustainability.
These general gaps are examined in more detail in Section Six, through the development of general and area-specific recommendations for the Highlands. In addition, mountain biking provision and more specific gaps are detailed on an area by area basis below:
3.1 Glen Coe/Kinlochleven
Glencoe and Kinlochleven offer a number of steep and relatively difficult trails. Other than the chairlift accessed trails at Glencoe Mountain, most of these are not mountain bike-specific but are popular with both residents and visitors, given their technicality. Very few trails can be found for inexperienced riders, young or old. The trails in the area lack any appropriate signage although unofficial guides and maps can be sourced on internet forums such as MTBtrails.com. No formal written guide has been produced for the area; however acclaim for these trails has been made in mountain biking magazines such as Mountain Bike Rider (MBR), which awarded the Ciaran Path Trail of the Year 2009. The land is owned by Rio Tinto Alcan, which is known to be sensitive to the use of the land for recreational purposes.
At Ballachulish a single-lane BMX style trail was built in 2002 to provide young people in the area with a place to practice and develop skills. This receives little use now and has become slightly overgrown. Active Schools coordinates some ‘taster’ mountain bike sessions in the area but these are by no means regular. There is no other participation group for youth development; West Highland Wheelers in Fort William is the nearest cycling club.
A large gap that has been identified in the area is the lack of available bike facilities. In Kinlochleven there is no provision of biking facilities, although the village can be the start and finish point of many of the rides (some routes are circular, so may also be accessed from Fort William). There are no formal bike shops in this area but cycle hire is available at Ballachulish Golf Course and Glencoe Mountain.
As there are no public transport links to this area that are suitable for the carriage of bikes, people wanting to ride here must rely on their own vehicles.
4
This makes the area off limits to young people, and those who do not own a vehicle.
Kinlochleven is not currently considered to be centre for mountain biking, but has potential as a venue for experienced riders.
3.2 Lochaber
Fort William has a strong status in the mountain biking scene of the Highlands. Home to a UCI World Cup round for ten years running the area attracts thousands of bike enthusiasts who want to ride a World Class track. The track, located at Nevis Range, near Fort William is the only gondola accessed DH trail in the UK. There is a gap here in the provision of diverse trails. Two separate routes are accessed from the gondola, however both are technical trails, one graded orange (DH course) and the other graded red. The red route has a reputation as being gnarly and both are suitable for experienced riders only.
Below the gondola accessed routes are the trails managed by the Forestry Commission (FC): the Witches Trails. There are three purpose built trails here, one of which was again devised for world class competition, this time the UCI World Championship’s Cross Country, 2007. Forestry maps are available for these trails but are not very clear. A paucity of way marking on the forest roads, especially at junctions, has a negative impact on the quality of experience for new riders in the region. The FC has also developed some short skills loops and Nevis Range has implemented a pump track and mini northshore skills loop. These, however are poorly signed and with a gap in the provision of green and blue trails, skills learned here are not easily transferred to real situations for young or new riders. There is also a large network of unofficial ungraded trails that have been built and are maintained by local riders. The number of locally built trails in Leanachan Forest and in fact the whole of the Lochaber area suggests a need for more development of available trails.
A tarmac cycling route from Fort William to Nevis Range was built allowing visiting cyclists without transport to ride from their accommodation to the trails if they wish. However this is not clearly signposted, especially the section leading from the BP garage to the town centre. This leads to confusion and cyclists end up riding on the A82 into town. Public buses running from town to Nevis Range are infrequent and will not carry bikes. This can be an issue for visitors and locals alike.
The Active Schools programme organises biking sessions for the local schools which has in the past clashed with the local cycling club’s efforts to run sessions specifically for children. A gap in the area is a child specific group or club where children can learn skills and build confidence, thus creating a pathway to competition if they choose, or the development of personal skills for enjoyment and health purposes. At present there is a leap from Active Schools taster sessions to National level youth competition.
5
In the winter and shoulder seasons there is no provision of bike repairs, hire or bike wash at Nevis Range. However due to the fact that the trails are weather proof, they are still rideable.
Fort William acts as a centre for a range of other trails too. It is the start/end point of both the West Highland Way and Great Glen Way, and home to numerous wild trails, such as the ‘Tour de Ben Nevis’ and convenient local multi-use trails, Cow Hill for example, while other trails at Laggan, Aviemore and Kinlochleven, are also easily accessible. The town is also the focus of many organised and popular events, such as the UCI Downhill Mountain Biking World Cup and ‘Ten under the Ben’.
3.3 Aviemore
Please see Section Six, focussed on the whole Cairngorms National Park area, for an examination of the gaps in the Aviemore area.
3.4 Loch Ness
Loch Ness does not present a natural hub for mountain biking. There are no bike shops or bike hire, and the trails available are well spread out, necessitating a car for practical access. Yet many cyclists do pass through the area on the Great Glen Way and there is a good selection of wild rides, such as the Corrieyairack Pass and Glen Affric. Yet Loch Ness is such an iconic place for visitors to Scotland, and with many accommodation providers in the area, there is a perceived gap regarding the promotion of the mountain biking available in the area. Some guide books are available, but the information given is limited.
There is a small selection of mountain bike trails in Abriachan Forest, located ten miles from Inverness. This is a community-owned forest that is used by the community for health promotion through activities, and for educational purposes. It has a bike skills development area, ecotoilets, a forest school, children’s play park and tree house, a BBQ and picnic area, nature walks and a hide. The Active Schools co-ordinator in the area uses the trails here for youth development. However, the centre is not recognised as having been very well designed or clearly marked. The community is applying for some funding to plan and build a skills loop, to enhance the appeal of the forest. With work on the trails this could be an attractive family-friendly centre.
3.5 Inverness
With six bike shops, an international airport, train links with the rest of the UK and a large number of accommodation providers, Inverness is a natural hub for mountain biking in the Highlands. However, there is a significant gap in the provision of official trails. There is a large network of unofficial trails of all disciplines, from DH to XC, at Craig Dunain for example. These have been built by local trail builders, and the effort and time put in to produce these suggests that there is a very great need for official trail development. As the vast majority of trails in and around Inverness are unofficial, there is no meaningful trail information for most sites.
6
Access from town to the trails is not easy, although some can be accessed from the Great Glen Way. There are some off-road routes from town which local riders use. However these trails are not all way marked, and those which are appear muddled and do not link together well.
Several opportunities exist for trail development. Ord Hill is a development possibility that would be accessible from Inverness by bike over the Kessock Bridge (cycle route) or with car parking on site. The UHI School of Forestry site is also a possibility for a pilot project, for the development of trail building qualifications and trails and a skills area to work with local schools and clubs. Youth development activity in this region is through:
Black Isle MTB club, developing riding skills and interest in young people; Highland Mountain Bike Association; Culloden Cyclones MTB club; 777 MTB Club, which has worked on supporting young racers; and Merkinch Mountain Bike Club (possibly not active).
A new business has recently been formed – winning a CREATE entrepreneurship award - bringing together a partnership between Cycle Therapy, Velocity cycle café and the New Start scheme. To be based in central Inverness it wishes to operate as a bike co-operative, and deliver mechanics sessions and skills training.
The opportunity also exists to more fully promote Inverness as an access point to the Great Glen Way and on the John o’Groats to Lands End trails. As a city within easy reach of the trails at Contin, Golspie and Moray Monster for example, the city has great potential as a hub that needs a dynamic approach to fulfil it.
3.6 Moray
Moray is home to the Moray Monster which has trails graded from green to black and orange. Some sections of the trails are acknowledged as being great for riding, but other sections are not so well designed. There is to be a reduction in the trail network from autumn 2012 on two of the less-well used sections of the Moray Monster trails. Also lacking here are trail centre facilities, such as a bike wash or a cafe, which may be a factor in the low user numbers, despite some well-designed and regarded sections and straightforward access from Inverness.
Some informal trail building has occurred around the Elgin area, which indicates that there is a need for some local, formal development, while the coastal trail from Findhorn to Buckie has good potential as a family-friendly route, but suffers from poor information provision. While there is a Moray MTB Club, where riders of all abilities and ages are welcome, communication seems to be an issue as there was no response to emails.
3.7 Caithness
Caithness has a wealth of potential trails, as noted on the spreadsheets. At present there appear to be no formal routes – a local bike shop noted that there
7
was almost no MTB provision in the area. As there are no official trails, there is also no bike specific mapping, and most bikers access routes with Ordnance Survey maps. Plans have been put forward in the past by Caithness Cycling Club to develop a trail network, but funding was not granted and the plans fell through. This is suggestive that although there is not MTB provision in the area at present, there is a market for it.
The Caithness Cycling Club hosts a Wednesday night MTB ride, but the trails available are limited and the group often heads to the Highland Wildcat trails at Golspie. The accommodation provision is relatively sporadic and the public transport very limited, even for those without bikes, although bike shops do exist in Wick and Thurso.
3.8 Sutherland
The Golspie trails in Sutherland are a good example of a community led project that came about because of conflict between walkers and mountain bikers. The trails are well maintained and managed by Highland Wildcat. The Balblair and Carbisdale trails are easily accessible – by car – from Golspie, while there have been previous discussions regarding the creation of a signposted on- and off-road route between the two.
On the FC website there is only one blue and one black trail marked at Balblair, which, in conjunction with its relative isolation, may limit its appeal. It is not thought that rider numbers are very high here, although the general opinion is that the trails are of a good standard. The trail at Carbisdale is very short and little used, and not well regarded.
With the Bike Bothy and the Coffee Bothy as core facilities, there is an opportunity to promote Golspie as the hub trail centre for Sutherland and the Northern Highlands, although local opinion in Sutherland is that other than at Golspie and Balblair there is not much other MTB riding. There are no links to further north or west. Some wild trails on old deer stalking routes are cited on the internet, but the trails are considered to be in a state of disrepair due to a lack of use and maintenance.
The local cycling club, the East Highland Wheelers, has 170 members, of which very few those are mountain bikers. One problem noted by the secretary of the club was the lack of people able to pursue MTB qualifications, with money and spare time being barriers, leaving a gap in youth development and skills training for those interested. Last year, however, the Durness Development Group started the community bike hub in Durness, providing training opportunities for local children and adults and offering bike hire, cycle repair, guided rides and community rides, for example. Until now a voluntary organisation, it is now seeking funding for its development.
3.9 Easter Ross
Of the three bike shops in the area, Squarewheels in Strathpeffer is the most well-known, partly due to its proximity to trails at Contin. The shop is the
8
organiser of the Strathpuffer 24 and the Puffer Lite – a 24 and a 12 hour mountain bike race respectively; the 24 is considered to be the toughest of its kind in the UK. It is also the main hub of the mountain biking activity in the region, promoting trails starting from the shop, and selling bike maps. It organises weekly rides for local mountain bikers and supports developing riders. In the past the shop has approached the FC to provide a more permanent approach to local trails, but has been turned down. This raises an issue regarding the sustainability of the trails that are regularly used.
Other than being directed to Squarewheels website, very little information can be found on the internet about the abundance of mountain biking known to be available in this area (from discussions with Squarewheels for example). This is an obvious gap in information provision for visitors researching where to ride in the Easter Ross area. Maps of the routes available are only available from the bike shop.
At Firish, there has been documented conflict between walkers and bikers using the same trails. This is due in part to the fact that there are, again, unmarked trails, which are also hard for motorists to find and with limited parking at the access points.
A new cycling club was formed recently in the area, although the Ben Wyvis Club at the moment is run solely to sustain and develop the achievements of the former Squarewheels race team.
3.10 Wester Ross
Wester Ross is best known for its wild rides. There is no provision of man-made trails or skills areas or bike shops, and there appears to be no active club activity. However, where a lack of signage and little trail development have been noted as gaps in other areas, these ‘issues’ appear to be positive features of the mountain biking in this area. Many MTB guiding companies sell trips in this area as ‘must dos’; Torridon is a well-recognised as a classic ride and there is a well written guide.
A few years ago the Lochalsh Mountain Biking Association was actively lobbying for some specialist trails to be built, and, in co-operation with the National Trust, for some adaptations to existing trails. No further information could be found about this or the Skye and Lochalsh Area Mountain Bike Club.
3.11 Skye, Rum and Eigg
As in the Wester Ross area, Skye’s mountain biking attraction is in its well-known and famous wild rides, such as Sligachan and the Queraing. These have appeared in magazines, been filmed for television features and are also in some guide books. Gaps here exist in the promotion of links between riding on the other islands, and formally marked trails. Although there is the short Cuillin FC loop little information is available about it. Although the riding is very limited on Rum and Eigg (especially), the ferry ride is a novel way to hold visitors to the
9
region for a day or so longer. Links could also be made to mountain biking in Lochaber, via Mallaig.
Most of the trails on the islands are on estate land and are not mountain bike-specific, and are therefore not regularly maintained. However, it is understood that the Highland Council does set up voluntary trail maintenance days each year. It is considered that the iconic status of Skye, coupled with the range of other attractions and facilities in and around Portree for example, suggest potential as a riding destination for both the existing experienced bikers and a more family/tourist oriented market.
3.12 Eilain Sair
The mountain biking available in Eilain Sair is again mostly wild and ungraded. Lews Castle has some trails available at present and the Hebridean Cycle Club has just received £250,000 to develop these. With trail improvements the club should be able to increase youth participation and development. This lack of provision was identified as a current gap.
There are some well-regarded wild routes on Harris, such as the Postman’s Track, which have featured in the mountain biking press, and the islands themselves attract considerable numbers of tourists. Again there is a lack of information that can be found on the available mountain biking, as well as sporadic facilities and little skills training evident. A big quarry development on Harris may also impact upon riding opportunities. The novelty of riding in such locations and the reputation and image of the Hebrides as tourist destinations suggest that these elements could be promoted as part of the wider Highland experience.
4. Quantifying the Value of Highlands’ Mountain Biking
4.1 Current Economic Value
As part of the commission the team was asked to put an economic value on mountain biking in the study area if the current and proposed provision was to be utilised to a fuller extent and in a sustainable manner. A parallel exercise was undertaken for the Cairngorms National Park; see Section Five. This exercise formed a small part of the commission and therefore this has been a relatively basic exercise to interrogate existing data and extrapolate it to the Highlands context.
To do this it was agreed to use as a basis the methodology and figures employed by EKOS in its 2009 report to Scottish Enterprise, entitled ‘Economic Value of Mountain Biking in Scotland’. The report estimated that 1.16m mountain biking trips were taken in Scotland. While the number of ‘visits’ was higher, at 1.33m, this figure could include multiple visits to the same destination on the one trip and to avoid double-counting ‘trips’ was used as a more realistic measure. EKOS used its methodology to confirm:
Direct expenditure value of mountain biking in Scotland of £26.8m; and
10
Total expenditure (including both multiplier effects that account for the increase in supplies purchased and additional income, from new jobs created, that is spent in the local and national economy) of £46.5m; and
Employment equivalent to 1,360 full-time equivalent jobs.
It is instructive that EKOS valued the overall impact of the mountain biking market at £119 million. As this figure included those trips where mountain biking was not the main reason for the trip, and included all the expenditure on that trip, whether mountain bike-related or not, total expenditure of £46.5 million was used as a more representative figure. Nonetheless there will be further mountain biking-related expenditure that is not included within the calculations carried out for this Highlands study.
In this 2012 report, the team used a number of assumptions in applying the EKOS methodology to the Highlands:
It assumed relatively stagnant trip numbers from mountain bikers from 2009 to the present day, in the absence of data confirming market growth. The validity of this assumption was partly reinforced by a conversation with Lindsay Carruthers who confirmed relatively static biker numbers at Laggan Wolftrax;
It estimated Moray’s share at one-quarter of EKOS’ breakdown for the ‘North East and Deeside’;
It estimated South Cairngorms’ share at one-quarter of EKOS’ breakdown for ‘Perthshire, Fife and Angus’; and
It used EKOS’ figure of 10.6% for additional trips to Scotland where mountain biking was the main purpose of the trip but where no purpose-built centre was visited (EKOS used the same proportion for the Highlands as elsewhere in Scotland).
Table One: The Economic Value of Mountain Biking in the Highlands Total expenditure: Scottish Mountain Biking £26,803,472 Highlands' share of Scottish MTB market 16% £4,288,555 Moray's share of Scottish MTB market 1.50% £402,052 £4,690,607 Multiplier (indirect and induced spending) 1.57 £7,364,253 Spend by those who don't visit a trail centre (17.5% of EKOS estimate of £4.45 m) £778,750 TOTAL £8,143,004 Employment Impact Output : employment factor of £34,250 238 FTEs
1 Moray’s share is estimated at one-quarter of EKOS’ breakdown for the North East and Deeside
2 South Cairngorms’ share is estimated at one-quarter of EKOS’ breakdown for Perthshire, Fife and Angus
Table One illustrates the current values obtained for mountain biking in the Highlands (including Eilain Sair, Skye, Rum, Eigg, Aviemore/North Cairngorms
11
and Moray), where mountain biking is the primary motivation for the trip and/or a key part of their trip:
Expenditure of £8.14m; and Employment of 238 FTEs.
4.2 Future Growth
Subsequent to this exercise the EKOS report was interrogated to determine potential growth scenarios that could be applied to Highlands’ mountain biking. EKOS suggested that the wider Scottish market would grow if four conditions could be satisfied:
Continued improvement in the sector’s promotion and marketing; The existing trail product continues to be maintained, refreshed, upgraded
and evolved; Market gaps are filled; and There is a more strategic approach at the national level.
Whilst these very broad conditions seem appropriate, the project team would expand upon the EKOS suggestions to include the following:
For the regions which are the focus of this study, sustained growth will necessarily be predicated upon a ‘strong brand’ which positions the Highlands as a distinctive destination for cycling;
The development of a tourism ‘offer’ which encourages and facilitates longer stays in the region (due to the large distances from key population centres) – fostering a stronger multiplier effect;
Enhanced zoning, via mapping and signage, to encourage some separation between ‘hard core’ mountain bikers and family groups seeking safe natural environments for leisure pursuits; and
Stronger recognition of the importance of recreational, low-key cycling around easy woodland trails. Whilst the ‘brand’ might embody adventure and challenge in the Highlands, the product must accommodate a range of abilities and intentions.
The creation of Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland naturally goes some way to improving the national, holistic picture. The findings of this study are generally correlative with EKOS’ three other conditions; these are discussed in more detail in the following section.
EKOS acknowledged the distinctive importance of ‘wilderness’ routes in the Highlands, compared with other areas of Scotland, plus the importance of mountain bike trips taken by tourists who are on holiday and may ‘dabble’ in the sport. Significantly, it reported:
“There is a good opportunity for the Highlands of Scotland to increase the economic, social and health benefits from mountain biking. It is anticipated that over the next five years a third of the potential visit growth in Scotland could be located in the Highlands development cluster area. The Highlands will attract mountain
12
bikers where their main motivation for a tourist trip is mountain biking, as well as general holiday tourists”.
EKOS’ projections for full growth, partial growth and do-nothing have not been adopted for the Highlands however. Since the data collection for the EKOS report, world recession and rising fuel prices have conspired to make the climate for mountain biking tourism less favourable, particularly in a region relatively remote and often necessitating overnight stays and long car journeys. The growth figures espoused by EKOS (of 70%+ growth over five years) are, in the current climate, felt to be unsustainable and unrealistic; as a result, the growth figure of 30% for Scotland over 2011-16 reported by Scottish Development International in September 2011 has been adopted.
4.2.1 Full-growth Scenario
The full-market growth in the Highlands area is predicted to be broadly commensurate with that for Scotland as a whole, at 30% from 2011-16, if the full potential of Highlands mountain biking is realised, as discussed in the following section.
Using these growth figures, the Highlands mountain biking sector (including Moray) would rise in value from £8.14m to £10.58m and employ another 71 FTEs to make a total of 309 FTEs. These figures relate to growth above the baseline figures and do not include the economic value of ‘safeguarding’ jobs that might be lost under the following do-nothing scenario.
4.2.2 Do-nothing Scenario
The second scenario is a 'do-nothing', where there could be a decline of 12.5% in Scottish visitors and a 25% decline in non-Scottish visitors (EKOS’ estimated figures). This decline, rather than just stagnant growth, would result from increasing competition, particularly from centres being developed in the north of England, at Whinlatter, Kielder, Hamsterley and Dalby for example, all of which have seen expansion in the past few years. Consequently, a lack of investment by Scottish hubs and centres would result in an overall net loss of £3.6m for Scottish mountain biking, over the five years (from 2009 to 2014, as the figures are derived from EKOS’s predictions).
Through extrapolation, it is forecast that there would be £1.32m net loss in direct expenditure annually on mountain biking in the Highlands and Moray. This would result in a net loss of around 46 FTEs.
4.2.3 Partial-growth Scenario
The partial-growth scenario assumes that the developments and initiatives that would have to be implemented completely to realise full growth are only developed at a scale of 50%. Under this scenario, EKOS did not adjust the growth percentages predicted for the regions, suggesting that partial growth would be across Scotland, rather than affecting some areas more than others.
13
Therefore, if the growth in the Highlands is limited to 15% over 2011-16, this would suggest that under this scenario the Highlands mountain biking sector will rise in value from £8.14m to £9.36m and employ another 36 FTEs to make a total of 274 FTEs. Again, these figures do not include a safeguarding element.
It should be stressed however that this simplistic numerical calculation does not tell the whole story. If the Highlands’ mountain biking sector is only partially developed while higher growth is being achieved in other areas, such as the aforementioned north of England, in reality this partial growth would probably be considerably smaller than the 15% suggested, and may in fact lead to shrinkage in real terms and in market share. For that reason it is imperative that necessary developments are implemented to enable the potential of the full-growth scenario to be achieved.
5. Mountain Biking in the Cairngorms National Park: Provision, Gaps, Economic Quantification
Scotland’s national parks, as outlined in The National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000, adhere to a distinctive model which aims to combine conservation of the natural and cultural heritage, with three further aims of sustainable use, enjoyment and development of the area’s communities. According to the Cairngorms National Park (CNP) Plan 2007, the Cairngorms National Park Authority has a statutory function to ensure there is a “collective and co-ordinated approach” to all four of these aims. To achieve this the National Park Authority is charged with drawing together the wide range of public, private, community and voluntary interests and then leading and enabling the action and partnerships necessary to achieve all four aims together. If, in the process of managing this integrated approach, there are differing views:
“The starting point must always be to work towards all four aims collectively, rather than to assume they are not mutually achievable. If, after taking this approach, there appears to the National Park Authority to be a “conflict” between the first aim of the Park – to conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage –and the other three aims, Section 9(6) of the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 requires that greater weight be given to the first aim” (CNP Plan 2007, p20)
An awareness and understanding of this statutory function is essential in any considerations of a strategic plan for mountain biking, or indeed all cycling activities, within the CNP. Any new proposals for mountain biking developments within the CNP require a holistic approach which could (and has previously) proved challenging to biking enthusiasts seeking to build new trails.
The CNP will be considered with reference to two areas: Aviemore & Cairngorms North; and Cairngorms South. There are however, four key issues which relate to the park as a whole:
14
There is a proliferation of informal groups, largely participating in recreational mountain biking, operating out of communities and bike shops within the CNP. As stated previously, the interests of this demographic group are hard to represent and participation numbers impossible to quantify. There appears to be a gap in our understanding about why club membership is not taken up by these groups, especially when formal clubs exist within a locality, or indeed whether club membership brings any collective benefits for these groups. However, there is also the possibility that these participants’ interests could remain unknown within an integrated management approach as highlighted above.
The CNP is characterized by a high percentage of private landowners. According to the CNPA, key to any future developments of mountain biking is the establishment of good working agreements with landowners. Many examples of good practice identified throughout the Highlands have at their base an agreement with the landowner, and in the vast majority of cases these are public bodies, such as FCS. Without agreement there can be little way-marking, promotion or volunteer maintenance, for example. Key to this is for mountain bikers to find ways to come together as credible, constituted groups which are willing to assume the responsibility to take on agreements, liability and management of trails.
It is clear that those mountain biking developments that have been successful have had multi-agency support, such as Grantown and Glenmore Lodge skills parks.
Figure Two: Geographical Distribution of Purpose-built (and Proposed) Venues in Cairngorm National Park
15
The geographical distribution of purpose-built mountain biking facilities throughout the CNP is largely characterised by rural developments with poor public transport links which require car access. This points to accessibility issues for many. The exception to this scenario is a new skills park that opened in March 2012 on the outskirts of Grantown-on-Spey.
Recommendations for the Cairngorms area are discussed in the previous section, as issues which generally affect the Highlands Cluster area as a whole.
5.1 Purpose-built (and Proposed) Venues in Aviemore and Cairngorms North
There is a significant volume of wild trails within the CNP which mountain bikers ride regularly providing a huge network of technical riding around and between communities. Some use traditional paths and others have been newly developed. Mountain bikers have pointed to varying degrees of tolerance to these trails from landowners. A select few have informal maintenance and event
16
agreements; some are seemingly tolerated, while others experience measures to prevent use, such as padlocked gates and dismantling of built structures. Mountain bikers are concerned that if they attempt to formalise access to trails, they may serve to highlight activity that was largely ignored (or overlooked), and if solutions cannot be agreed, they risk losing access altogether. This concern has lead to a dilemma about engaging in formal negotiations for many. These are not issues that are confined to the CNP area.
There is a significant volume of iconic long-distance routes through spectacular mountain, moorland and glen wilderness environments, which are currently used by off road bikers. Very few are way-marked (for example the Speyside Way, Deeside Way and the Dava Way are good examples). Most require skills of navigation using maps and guide books for route guidance (for example the Cairngorm Circuit). There is no central source of information on this vast web of journeys, although the CNP website provides some good links. Most of these routes are promoted as ‘walks’ or are described as having sections that “cannot sustain cycle traffic, and… ask you to avoid them” (www.moray.gov.uk - March 2012) with reference to certain parts of the Speyside Way.
It is anticipated that the popularity of these routes for mountain bikers seeking the ’single track adventure’ will increase, as evidenced from the increase in blogs, magazine articles and guiding companies. More could be done to facilitate the multi-use of these trails, such as bike friendly tourist services in communities on the route, managing erosion in sensitive areas, and interpretation boards and information leaflets educating users about multi-use trail issues. One such trail is the proposed extension of the Speyside Way from Aviemore to Newtonmore.
The area has three well established bike shops – two located within Aviemore, and one in Grantown-on-Spey, as well as over 20 hire services and at least 22 identified cycle related businesses (skills training and guiding for example). The bike shop proprietors have stated that they aim to provide responsible information to clients (tourists and residents) regarding local trails, but at certain times of year it is hard to direct them to many sustainable trails which do not require a car to access them. In Grantown-on- Spey, clients can be directed to a new sustainably built skills park, accessible on the edge of the town via an off-road, way-marked trail through the community owned Anagach Woods. In Aviemore, the bike shop proprietors can direct off-road riders to sustainable gentle tracks suitable for novices and families (such as the Old Logging Way), but they point to a gap in the provision of a locally accessible sustainable trail suited for other client groups (intermediate or advanced riders, youth development, or club riders for example). Off-road bikers within the Strathspey Valley corridor state that there is a gap in provision in this respect.
There appears to be the potential to promote the concept of off-road biking centres (or hubs) which cater for a high percentage of cyclists’ needs. For example there is potential for the following:
17
Strathspey Valley Corridor (A network of communities, largely centred on Aviemore, linked by a web of both wild and sustainable routes at all grades of technical difficulty); and
Grantown-on-Spey hub (With its new skills park and linked to surrounding communities principally by the Speyside Way and Dava Way).
Although not all of the recognised criteria are in place for the identification of a Tomintoul hub, there would appear to be the potential for business developments relating to off-road cycling linked to the Glenlivet development scheduled on the Crown Estate, and close to the Lecht.
The communities of Grantown and Aviemore have all the recognised criteria to warrant the “bike centre or hub’ status, although it is recognised that the interconnected nature of provision around Aviemore suggests the concept of a ‘corridor of provision’, as illustrated in the following diagram:
Figure Three: Cairngorms North ‘Corridor of Provision’
Given the adoption of the hub concept, centralised information points would be beneficial, as exemplified by those serving the interests of walkers (for example
18
the Speyside Way interpretation boards in central Aviemore, and Anagach Woods, Grantown on Spey).
Cairngorm Mountain Resort is currently proposing a sustainable trail development within Coire-na-Ciste subject to acquiring planning permission. The aim is to bring annual business to an underused part of the resort and utilise a chair for bike uplift. This has been described as targeting “the family and intermediate rider on flowing blue and green graded routes”. It has been pointed out by many that the temptation to “carry on down” from the Ciste Car Park (the base station for the proposed development) would be “virtually irresistible”, yet the area immediately below has sensitive conservation concerns.
This has been recognised by Cairngorm Mountain Ltd, which points to the value of incorporating a link trail to join their development to the Old Logging Way. This Trail would involve other landowners (for instance FC and Glenmore Forest Park) and have cost implications, but would represent significant returns for bikers throughout the Strathspey Corridor seeking safe inbound and outbound riding, and, through good trail design, steer activity away from sensitive areas. The ‘new link’ could be built using part of the existing trail (currently designed for walkers) and possibly part of the old ski road, which may reduce costs, and also provide a route close to the existing traffic corridor.
It is important to point out here that the safety of road cyclists is a real concern on this traffic corridor. While there is unlikely to be a “one method fits all” solution here to address the needs of road cyclists and off-road riders, it would be opportune to bring these communities together as part of the consultation process to address this link route. The value and significance of consultation has been played out here in the past. Bikers point to a new path that was built linking Glenmore Forest to Cairngorm Mountain which incorporated a significant range of features to deter riders – including rock bollards, deep drainage culverts, tight chicane fences, and narrow boardwalks with handrails. These measures moved all cycle traffic onto the road which is considered too dangerous for all but very experienced riders. It could be argued that this new link route could provide the opportunity to develop a multi-use trail and use education, design and consultation to find a safe and acceptable solution for all interest groups. It should be pointed out however, that Cairngorm Mountain has yet to secure planning permission, so this development is not certain.
There is a clear lack of way-marked family-friendly routes in the area, however there is a significant quantity of suitable paths and forest tracks, but they may need to be redefined as multi-use trails and promoted as such.
According to the Philippa Grant, Estate Landowner;
19
“We count 40,000 bikers a year on the road and off road route between Aviemore and Coylumbridge and estimate that probably double that enjoy biking on Rothiemurchus each year. The local hire companies, outdoor activity providers and our own research tells us that 80 - 90% of these are family or intermittent leisure bikers who want to bike on a smooth flat surface either on the road or on a safe smooth off-road track.”
Rothiemurchus Estate has identified some family friendly cycle trails on its land and used signage to way-mark the routes, which demonstrate a proactive attempt to balance the multivariate needs of their tourist and resident clients. Although these measures are to be commended, the use of the ‘single user’ symbol requires some caution. While it is clear that the bike symbol identifies a recommended colour-coded cycle route, the use of ‘single user group’ symbols can also lead to misunderstandings. Explicit user group signage is sometimes used in purpose-built mountain biking centres for safety reasons, where walkers and riders would not be able to responsibly share the same paths or trails. Single user group way marking can lead users to believe that they have priority or exclusive access to a path or trail and can lead to greater potential for conflict, unless clearly justified.
The vast majority of information leaflets identifying off-road routes in the CNP tend to specify them as ‘walking routes’, either explicitly or implicitly excluding cyclists. This leads to a range of responses from cyclists, from active use in spite of restrictions (such as on path from Coire Cas Car Park), voluntary arrangements to avoid certain routes (sections of Loch an Eilean circuit), or non-use for fear of conflict or regulation. This lack of clarity about whether a route is accessible to bikers, responsibly or not, has the potential to cause conflict between different user groups.
A number of mountain biking development proposals have been displaced by conservation priorities. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1984 provides legal protection for many species that are present in the forests in this area, capercaillie and pine martens for example, and these will therefore take precedence over recreational interests.
5.2 Purpose-built (and Proposed) Venues in Cairngorms South
There are many iconic longer wild ride journeys possible throughout southern Cairngorms and linking to the northern part, including: Glen Tilt; Mount Keen; Glen Muick; The Fungle; Lochnagar; Capel Mounth; Loch Bulig- Tomintoul; Glen Clova- Glen Isla; and Glen Esk. Many of these long wild trails are described in bike forums and magazines as “world class” (see www.Bikeradar.com), for the
20
Figure Four: Rothiemurcus Waymarking
wilderness experience, the natural beauty of the environment, and the wild life and cultural heritage along the way, together with quality technical riding on long sections of single track.
The built trails in this region (as commented by Cycle Highlands) are mostly foot paths. While there have been some small developments to the trails to allow for mountain bikes on them, most trails are not mountain bike-specific in construction.
The ski area at Glenshee has limited development. There is one 3.2km blue route, limiting riders who will use it, but it means that it does offer family/younger riders trails accessed from the chairlift in July and August. The track does not have a sustainable surface and is designated as multi-use. There are Sites of Special Scientific Interest which create restrictions to the development of this park.
Other relevant issues are:
Limited information. This is again typical of all the regions in that information transmission has no or limited organisation between bodies.
Youth development. There is a bike park development at Aboyne (slightly outside the study area). Aboyne cycle club is newly formed and is seeking funding for a pump track/park for young people in the area. In addition to this, Cycle Highlands has a small skills course outside its shop with it made within the intention of developing young riders.
Highland Perthshire routes and guide are a bonus for families (and seen as an example of good practice see Section 5.7.1).
A small trail map was commissioned by Cycle Highlands, but is only available from its shop and the trails are ungraded but estimated to be red. Mapping is available from trail guides or websites, but this is largely on estate-owned land which brings into question land management conflicts over potential developments in this region.
5.3 Current Economic Value
This is an exercise to place an economic value on mountain biking in the Cairngorms, assuming that the current and proposed provision was to be utilised in a sustainable manner and to a fuller extent, paralleling that undertaken in Section Four. The same methodology was used, while the team also assumed that growth in the Cairngorms would also be broadly similar to the growth in the mountain biking sector in Scotland as a whole.
Table Two illustrates the values obtained for mountain biking in the Cairngorms, where mountain biking is the primary motivation for the trip and/or a key part of their trip, summarised as:
Expenditure of £1.86m; and Employment of 54 FTEs.
Table Two: The Economic Value of Mountain Biking in the Cairngorms
21
Total expenditure: Scottish Mountain Biking £26,803,472 Cairngorms' share of Scottish MTB market 4% 187,100 £1,072,138.88 £1,072,138.88 Multiplier (indirect and induced spending) 1.57 £1,683,258.04 Spend by those who don't visit a trail centre (4% of EKOS estimate of £4.45 m) 178,000
TOTAL £1,861,258
Employment Impact
Output : employment factor of £34,250 54 FTEs
5.3.1 Full-growth Scenario
Potential full-market growth of 30% in the Cairngorms National Park area over 2011-16 would suggest that the Cairngorms’ mountain biking sector will rise in value from £1.86m to £2.42m and employ another 16 FTEs to make a total of 70 FTEs. This doesn’t include the effect of ‘safeguarding’ what already exists in the area and which might be lost under a ‘do-nothing’ scenario.
5.3.2 Do-nothing Scenario
Under the 'do-nothing' scenario there could be a decline of 12.5% in Scottish visitors and a 25% decline in non-Scottish visitors, resulting from increasing competition, particularly from centres being developed in the north of England. As discussed in Section Four, this lack of investment by Scottish hubs and centres would result in an overall net loss of £3.6m for Scottish mountain biking (in this case from 2009-10 to 2013-14).
By extrapolating EKOS’ figures it is forecast that there would be £0.30m net loss in direct expenditure annually on mountain biking in the Cairngorms. This would also result in a net loss of around 10 FTEs.
5.3.3 Partial-growth Scenario
The partial-growth scenario assumes that the developments and initiatives that would have to be implemented completely in the Cairngorms area to realise full growth are only developed at a scale of 50%. At predicted 15% growth, this would suggest that the Cairngorms mountain biking sector will rise in value from
22
£1.86m to £2.14m (excluding the safeguarding element) and employ another 8 FTEs to make a total of 62 FTEs.
6. Recommendations
It is clear that mountain biking has been one of the great tourism success stories in Scotland as a whole over the past decade or so. Much of this past success has undoubtedly been driven by the development of the 7Stanes. Mountain biking across the Highlands has been slower and more limited in its development, although the likes of Fort William, Laggan and Golspie, for example, provide trails, if not facilities, in many respects the equal of the 7Stanes.
While the peripherality of the Highlands may disadvantage the region in terms of geographical proximity to catchment populations, there is great potential for mountain bike development in the Highlands, both in terms of purpose-built trails and ‘natural’ routes into the wonderful environment.
It is worth repeating what was stated at the beginning of the project: that the Highlands have a potentially big advantage over anywhere else in the UK in terms of:
The scale of the mountains; The iconic status of the Highlands, and areas such as Glencoe, Skye and
Loch Ness, in the eyes of mountain bikers and tourists alike; The variety and magnificence of the scenery; The wildness of the environment; The challenging terrain; and The access to the outdoors.
The challenge to the Highlands Cluster, to DMBinS, and to the industry as a whole in this region, is to be able to capitalise on these assets, to embrace diversifying off-road cycling markets, to develop an appropriate image and brand for mountain biking in the Highlands, and to ensure that a stream of new local riders is encouraged and enabled to take up mountain biking.
Tourism Intelligence Scotland (TIS) identifies six key trends affecting mountain biking in Scotland which need to be implicit within the mountain biking experiences that people are offered in the Highlands:
Visitors are getting older but they tend to be fitter and more likely to travel;
People are searching for new experiences that will enrich their lives; Visitor have high expectations of service and accommodation quality; Visitors want authenticity in their experiences – a chance to be part of
‘real’ Scotland; Health and well-being are important to visitors; and People have a growing awareness of green issues.
23
In order to cater for this discerning potential market the mountain biking products and services offered in the Highlands need to be developed and managed with these customers, and their desires and goals, in mind.
This section is structured to consider:
Target markets; General recommendations for the Highlands’ mountain biking ‘offer’, split
into immediate practical recommendations and those of a more strategic nature, both medium- and long-term;
Tackling issues of participation and skills development; Issues of responsibility for trails, liability and maintenance; Potential funding sources; Examples of good practice from elsewhere that may be applicable to the
Highlands; and Consideration of the Highlands as a ‘world class’ mountain biking
destination.
6.1 Target Markets
Based on earlier work by VisitScotland and Forestry Commission Scotland, TIS, in its 2011 publication ‘Mountain Biking Tourism in Scotland’, identified two key mountain biking segments:
Specialists/enthusiasts/fanatics: for whom mountain biking – usually on red, black and orange trails - is the core part of their trip
Leisure cyclists, split into a) dabblers: beginners, families and those trying mountain biking – and b) seniors – participants over 55. These users are more likely to want to ride greens and blues and have a range of biking and non-biking motivations for their trip
This simple delineation raises two issues however:
It negates the market between these two segments: the youth and schools development groups – and others - that are neither beginners in search of easier trails nor specialists who are able to ride technical trails; and
The word ‘mountain biking’ to describe many beginners and family groups, and indeed other more experienced riders, is inherently problematic, and a term such as ‘trail riding’ or ‘off-road cycling’ may be both more encompassing, more technically correct and, importantly, references a significant part of the market.
Commensurate with the rest of the UK, much of the mountain biking development in the Highlands to date has catered for the former group, particularly in terms of the purpose-built trails and the promotion of wild routes through guide books and magazines for example. The developments at Golspie and Nevis Range are good examples, where red and black trails formed the focus of early development. Moray Monster and Laggan have demonstrated a more recent trend to break out of this mould and create blue and/or green runs that suit less adventurous bikers or those with families. Many trails that cater for
24
these groups are often dirt roads rather than purpose-built singletrack however (although the Broomstick Blue at Nevis Range is an exception), and many are very limited in length.
6.2 Recommendations
It is apparent that the current Highlands mountain biking ‘offer’ has a great deal of maturity in terms of catering for the more advanced or experienced mountain bikers. Across the Highlands, from Nevis Range to Golspie and from Glen Tilt to Sligachan, there is quite a broad geographical spread of both trail centres and wild routes offering challenging riding. Although much of this provision, especially in terms of the purpose-built trails, is centred along a fairly narrow north-south spine, due to the obvious issues caused by the peripherality of much of the Highlands further purpose-built development of this ilk is not considered to be appropriate.
Out of the exercise to map mountain biking provision across the Highlands, and the gaps in that provision, were born a number of recommendations for the development of mountain biking in the region. These are divided into recommendations that can be more practically and immediately adopted, at a local or regional level, and those that need to be dealt with as medium- or long-term strategic issues, as a result of either the scale of the issue or the complexities inherent in finding a solution.
It is suggested that the development of a Highlands mountain biking strategic plan, with clear targets based on market, economic & social objectives, and drawing upon lessons learned in other areas (the 7Stanes for example), would be a formal means of taking forward the development of mountain biking in the Highlands.
6.2.1 Immediate Practical Recommendations
A catchy, memorable brand needs to be created, along the lines of the 7Stanes, which is instantly recognised by mountain bikers and identified with the Highlands mountain biking product.
There needs to be a single Highlands web portal for information provision related to mountain biking - purpose-built trails, wild rides, accommodation, bike shops, cafes – along with associated social media facilities and smartphone apps. The interactive web site for the Pennine Way (http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/PennineWay/ ) is a great example of how different elements of the experience (from the trail to accommodation providers) can be organised through a single portal. It is acknowledged that development and management could be costly, although for marketing initiatives up to 50% of the cost could be sought from VisitScotland’s Growth Fund.
There is great potential for improving facilities at many trail centres across the Highlands, to make them more comparable to some of the 7Stanes sites for example. It is considered that a bike hose and a central
25
information/interpretation point should be the minimum that is offered at car parks.
Consideration should be given to the implementation of car parking fees at locations where they are not already in place, in order to help pay for trail development and maintenance. Their use for such purposes would need to be made very clear to users and widely publicised to bikers in order to secure buy-in to the introduction of user fees.
In many areas more comprehensive signage to and around trails and trail centres needs to be developed. This would increase the appeal of trails to many (beginners for example, tourists new to the area, or those not confident about finding their way around). There are known issues associated with signposting routes at centres – see the discussions below. The signage to trails is a particular issue that needs to be addressed to encourage people to stay in a hub and ride out from it, where feasible.
The route guide developed by Highland Perthshire should be used as an examplar, for both clear and easily understood route mapping and the promotion of a range of trails from easy, family-friendly rides to more arduous or technical rides for more experienced bikers – see Section 5.7 for more detail. Aviemore/Grantown, Fort William and Skye would both be obvious places to instigate such measures.
VisitScotland should be contacted to revise its search engine for accommodation, to include, as a criterion, accommodation that is a member of the ‘cyclists welcome’ scheme. The web site does don’t allow this refined search at present (it is understood that the new web site is soon to go live, on which this amendment may have taken place).
Volunteer groups should be set up, where appropriate, to build and maintain trails, using the good practice examples discussed below (at Hamsterley and Kielder for example) as guidance.
Sponsorship should be sought for trails, to pay for the upkeep of existing trails and development of new ones. This works successfully in a number of other locations (such as the Altura Trail at Whinlatter and the North Face Trail at Grizedale). There are a number of domestic manufacturers which could be approached, of which Endura is probably the best known. Simply put, the trails attract a focussed target market which can then legitimately be exposed to relevant brands as it goes about its leisure practice.
6.2.2 Medium-term Strategic Recommendations
There needs to be greater reason for mountain biking tourists to stay in a particular area. Glen Coe, Loch Ness and Skye are visitor destinations with fantastic images, which, with the right infrastructure, can attract tourists who might do a bit of cycling as a part of their holiday (compared to other destinations that attract more experienced bikers as the main focus of their trip). Suggestions include more co-ordinated promotion of wild rides (one of the key advantages of the Highlands over other areas) and the integrated mapping of purpose-built trails with wild trails to create longer loops (at Leanachan Forest for example).
26
In order to encourage greater use of the long distance mountain biking trails in the Highlands, consideration needs to be given to issues of logistical support, such as one-way bike hire agreements or vehicle support.
There is potential in certain areas to link cafes and other attractions and facilities into family-friendly routes, widening the appeal of those trails, acting as a catalyst for visits, and improving the overall customer experience.
A voluntary levy for mountain bikers at accommodation providers bearing the ‘cyclists welcome’ badge could be tried again (having already been trialled in the Cairngorms); the purpose of such a levy would need to be made very clear to bikers.
There is a recognised need for training and practical qualifications on trail building and maintenance. This is discussed in more detail below. Reference is made to another study currently being carried out for DMBinS.
As a national strategic issue, future path development and maintenance needs to consider the needs of cyclists as well as walkers. Under the 2003 Land Reform (Scotland) Act mountain bikers have equal rights of access to land and trails as walkers, yet their needs are often overlooked; the proliferation of drainage bars is an oft-cited example of trail design and implementation ignoring bikers’ needs.
Commensurate with the ethos of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, it is suggested that the issue of redefining paths as ‘multi-use’, rather than ‘walking’ paths or ‘cycling’ trails is examined, in collaboration with Paths for All (whose principle objective is to “promote the increase in the number, quality, accessibility and multi-use of paths” (Core Outcome, PFA Business Plan 2011-12). Clarity on this issue is required on at least two levels. First, path and trail builders are contracted to work to the specifications of their designers or managers. Paths and trails however, require quite different specifications. There is clear potential for knowledge transfer between these labour forces, to share lessons learnt from purpose built bike environments and apply them to multi-use path construction. An example of this in practice is where a walking route can take a direct line down a slope using steps. Although a cycle route could also take the same line, it would require a speed checking feature above the steps to guard against the development of speed bumps (caused by sudden breaking). This rather simplistic example attempts to point to the potential for some sharing of knowledge in future design work. Second, the terms ‘path’ and ‘trail’ are used interchangeably, (along with tracks) and are still largely associated with ‘walks’ and walkers in a very high percentage of promotional leaflets throughout the Highlands, which could lead to misunderstandings.
The importance and relevance of the Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland Co-ordinator role should be acknowledged by ensuring continuity and its long-term sustainability.
27
The potential for mountain bike instruction to be based at a trail centre close to a sizeable settlement should be acknowledged, along with complementary facilities, such as bike repair, shelter, shop, showers, for example (in the mould of Whinlatter).
There needs to be further work to ensure greater consistency of grading across Scotland (and the UK) through organisations such as DMBinS, IMBA and FCS; there are too many inconsistencies, such as the black trail at Golspie being much more technical, for the most part, than the Glentress black.
The sometimes negative image of ‘mountain bikers’ could be addressed by promoting where appropriate the use of the term ‘off-road cycling’ for example, which can more readily accommodate the full market range of participants.
To stimulate tourism business, and to manage people in a sensitive area, greater promotion of mountain bike guides (and guiding companies) should be supported. This has the advantage of not outwardly promoting use of specific trails and obviating landowner liability issues through the companies’ own insurance.
6.2.3 Long-term Strategic Recommendations
Mountain bikers need to be made more aware of the financial implications associated with maintaining trails at purpose-built centres and providing facilities. At the moment there appears to be a ‘disconnection’ between riding trails and having to pay for their use. There is a role for the mountain biking magazines to play here in exploring this issue.
The mountain bike ‘centre’ designation should be recognised at Inverness, Aviemore, Grantown and Fort William, and potentially at Tomintoul, and formalised those publications such as MBR. The following elements are recognised as crucial in the ‘centre’ designation:
Bike shop; Bike hire; Accommodation; Cycle-friendly café; Car park; A range of trails; Pub; Proactive club or informal group; Public transport links; and Links to the trails.
There is a need to create more green and blue trails in certain areas, to cater for beginners and families, and to encourage more tourists to try off-road biking. This is particularly relevant to areas, such as Aviemore, that are geared up for tourists, especially those with families, with a range of diverse attractions, and where the development of family-oriented infrastructure is likely to be well-used. Blue or green graded trails also have value as ‘lead in/out’ routes, and can lead to more extensive networks of higher-graded routes, especially if scenic (for example, not
28
Figure Five: VTT Waymarking
confined to dense forest). They can also usefully allow some people to avoid using cars if they are linked to communities. There is a large network of family-friendly routes in certain areas that aren’t waymarked, but which could be networked and signposted to create appropriate routes.
Many trails in purpose-built venues that cater for families can typically be on vehicle tracks, and perhaps don’t do enough to encourage beginners or youngsters to keep biking. It is suggested that more interesting beginner/youngster trails could potentially increase and/or retain new user interest and allow for more individual progression. Learnie blue, for example, offers a great and interesting trail for all abilities.
It is imperative that Inverness develops its potential as a mountain biking centre. It has a great range of facilities but little neighbouring formal trail provision. It is not considered, however, that further purpose-built developments north of Inverness would be appropriate given the expense and geographical peripherality to major markets.
It is recommended that a new environmentally-conscious brand of trail map is created, for mountain biking centres such as Grantown, Fort William, Skye or Aviemore. Similar to the map developed for Fruita (Colorado), it should contain clear mapping, related information provision regarding accommodation and other facilities, and sound educational guidance on good riding practice. Possibly developed through a company such as Harveys, which has a track record of producing similar maps, these maps should be user-friendly, easy-to-read, and readily available from facilities such as bike shops, cafes and visitor centres.
Future trail developments should consider incorporating, fostering or working with small scale enterprises in the process. Where trail networks are in close proximity to businesses there is a mutual benefit to both the trails and the enterprise, resulting in economic benefits to the local area. These developments can act as a mechanism to draw together formal and informal groups, such as businesses, landowners and other interested parties, to render the process more inclusive. They can also go hand-in-hand with club activity and therefore help to increase participation. Laggan and Abriachan are good examples where a healthy mountain bike scene has been developed around a central business.
A single-standard, or common form, of branded waymarking should be adopted and promoted across the Highlands, following the French system for Vélo Tout Terrain (VTT) signposting, with discreet signage (see Figure Two) and maps which highlight these routes on a national and regional scale. This would reinforce the adoption of a Highlands mountain biking brand.
29
6.3 Land Ownership, Access and Responsibility for Trails
The issues relating to access to trails, ownership, liability and maintenance are recognised as an series of interwoven, complex issues, affecting a broad range of parties and encompassing a diverse range of interests. There can appear to be an element of confusion and uncertainty regarding legal requirements and responsibilities towards trails and the provision of access and trail maintenance. It is also clear that the importance of these issues can differ according to a number of different variables. It is suggested that being core to the development of mountain biking in Scotland it will warrant further investigation. A number of key issues need to be considered.
6.3.1 Responsibility for Trails
The creation of informal grassroots trails is considered in some respects to represent the lifeblood of the sport, in terms of youth development and enabling local participation. It is difficult to acknowledge its development, however, as it may conflict with the issue of responsible access under the Access Code, as well as being a problem in some areas with landowners.
These routes do indicate, however, the importance of local activity and need to be recognised. It is suggested that there is a need to develop local multi-stakeholder groups to bring together relevant and interested parties, from landowners and managers to local residents and trail riders, to overcome the challenges and find workable solutions that may appease all parties. A body similar to the Whistler Off-Road Cycling Association could be appointed to act as a go-between and communication point for all stake holders/interested parties. This approach has been taken elsewhere, for example at Learnie, with some success. It is proposed that the Outdoor Access Forum may be a suitable body with which to collaborate on this issue.
There have been reports of individuals and small groups making ‘ad hoc’ small scale representations to landowners, with limited evidence of key government/other agencies (for example SNH, FC, the Cairngorms National Park Authority, HIE, VisitScotland, Destination Management Organisations) on board to support ideas and proposals.
Previously a number of representations from mountain biking groups to landowners have failed, leaving a feeling that official developments are unlikely to succeed, whereas mountain bike activity can go on because wild, unofficial trails and developments seem to be tolerated. However, the impact of this is twofold:
There is limited impetus for some to ‘rock the boat’, as it is working for local riders with the local knowledge; and
Landowners might prove to be weary of approaches, as they have rejected previous attempts.
30
It is therefore suggested that any further discussions with landowners would benefit from a more strategic approach involving key partners who have had an involvement in the shaping of strategic plans.
6.3.2 Liability
The issue of liability, for accidents that occur on trails, is one that needs to be clarified at a national level, in the context of the Access Code. Previous discussions with land managers have indicated unwillingness to signpost some existing trails because of the implications that can have in terms of engendering liability upon the land manager, as well as raising issues of trail maintenance. There needs to be assurance for landowners that they are not going to liable for accidents on informal trails on their land.
IMBA UK has acknowledged the issue and published some guidance to inform land managers. As the landowner has a duty of care to all those on his land this is a significant issue, especially when informal trails have been acknowledged. Following some High Court rulings litigation is less likely if riders do sustain injuries, due to the well-established principle of “user beware”. IMBA UK suggests that a formal risk assessment is undertaken to identify the hazards and find appropriate solutions (as a body it can help with this). It is recognised that a good solution may be to come to a formal arrangement with a club or group wanting to use the trails, giving the riders themselves an element of responsibility for assisting with this process. A number of steps can be taken to minimise risks on the trail (although this rather creates a paradox of course, given that these obstacles are a great attraction for many riders).
6.3.3 Maintenance
A number of great purpose-built trails have been constructed across the Highlands, using European funding for example, but the rather more prosaic issue of maintaining the trails can be an expensive and unwelcome one in many areas. In the eyes of mountain bikers a new trail is a ‘sexy’ and exciting entity – novelty can be a key motivation for riding – but trail maintenance is often/usually something that is taken for granted; hence this ‘disconnection’ in many mountain bikers’ eyes, talked about elsewhere, between riding the trails and paying for the privilege.
It again is a local issue that needs national recognition. If a mountain biker rides a trail there should be some payoff for those responsible for the trail, rather than perceived ‘free’ access and expenditure made at support services – cafes and accommodation for example – that don’t invest directly in the trails. The appropriateness of car parking fees, as a means to help pay for trail maintenance, is discussed elsewhere.
In terms of other solutions, it is apparent that at trail centres such as Hamsterley and Kielder the use of volunteer groups has been successful in trail maintenance. Any new trail construction or maintenance/development of existing trails requires knowledgeable, appropriate construction and maintenance. The
31
problem has been with defining competence and at present can only be based on previous experience, giving no guarantee of the quality. This results from a lack of formal qualifications or pathways for any forms of mountain bike trail work, other than the specific construction trade qualifications in chainsaw and power barrow handling and digger driving, for example. Having qualified people can only help in raising the profile of this issue, and perhaps go some way in addressing responsibility and liability issues discussed above.
Design and trail build management can be described as a niche market with fewer than 20 sole operatives or small companies, alongside Forest Enterprise. The sector was approached in December 2011, and has agreed to work towards a professionalization agenda which plans to develop a suite of training courses in trail building, checking and maintenance, and project management, including programmes that work specifically with volunteers. It would appear that this development would be welcomed by groups based within the Highlands. The issue of qualifications and practical courses in trail maintenance is the subject of another report for DMBinS.
6.3.4 Trail Decommissioning
After appropriate discussions, with the Forestry Commission, the project team has not made any recommendations with regards to decommissioning trail centres or formal routes. While some more peripheral routes, such as Carbisdale, may appear to be little used, it attracts 10,000 visitors per year and has been the subject of considerable funding for improvements over the past few years. It is understood that plans to decommission parts of the network at Moray Monster are underway, while the trails at Balnain has already been taken out of action.
6.4 Developing Transport Links
In general terms, the major issues across the cluster area are the limited capacity for transporting mountain bikes on public transport services, and the lack of comprehensive signage and infrastructure for those who wish to cycle to sites from centres of population to trails, where this is appropriate.
Public transport allowing bikes is very limited, but if this could be improved (more capacity and better promotion) it could prove beneficial in some locations. Trains allow some bikes (First Scotrail allows two pre-booked bikes only), and this is beneficial to following locations:
Golspie; Balblair/Carbisdale; and Fort William.
This could also prove very valuable to developments in Aviemore (where cycling directly from station is well established, with bike shelters on site for short-term storage) and the trails and potential developments in Inverness. Access by train and bus could also be promoted where bike hire facilities complement this form of access to trails.
32
Bikes are not carried on local bus or coach services currently. It is understood that this is an issue that has been examined in the past, and health and safety issues associated with carrying bikes externally on buses were raised, while the business case for carrying bikes was not proved.
The signposting of links from town centres to trailheads is an issue that needs addressing in a certain number of locations, if more people are to be encouraged to go mountain biking directly from railway stations, or indeed just to access trails from town centres. Specific examples are dealt with below:
Fort William has a railway station, with the sleeper service connecting travellers from further afield and a cycle route from town to the main trails at Nevis Range. Signage on the cycle route needs more comprehensive cover as is in incomplete or inadequate. In addition to this, the need for greater publicity for the sleeper service has been flagged up as an issue.
The Loch Ness area does not have a train link, but does have bus services running regularly. With classic rides such as the Corrieyairack pass and its logistics it could be argued that bikes on buses would increase participation in this area, although it is understood that Base Camp MTB does provide a shuttle service. If Base Camp MTB can provide this service, there is a related requirement for more integrated communications about this service.
There are public transport services throughout Moray region. Moray Monster trails is the main mountain biking site in this area, but it lies eight or nine miles from either Keith or Elgin railway station. Road access remains the principal transport mode.
Due to the geographical location of the trail sites in both Caithness and Sutherland public transport from areas of higher population becomes problematic. The main centres of Balblair/Carbisdale and Golspie do have rail links, and form possible ‘trail-by-train’ destination. A signed link from Carbisdale to Golspie has previously been investigated to build on this possibility, and perhaps needs revisiting.
Wester Ross has public transport links by rail through to Strathcarron and Kyle of Lochalsh, (access to Skye) offering a backbone, albeit limited, transport possibility. This same line can be used to access Torridon via Achnashellach station, although services are rather sporadic. Mapping for trails in and around the Contin area, accessible from Dingwall (albeit along the main road) can be found at Squarewheels.
Skye region and Eilean Sair offer mostly wild riding and with its geographical peripherality transport links are limited, with Eilean Sair only being accessed by ferry, and the principal biking routes a considerable distance from the public transport access points.
It is acknowledged that public transport in remote rural areas will always be an issue in terms of service frequency and settlements served for example. There exists in the minds of potential users a lack of clarity regarding carrying bikes on trains, along with a reluctance to do so where reservations cannot be made. It is suggested that this is an issue that needs clarifying at a national level.
33
Similarly, while it is possible to carry bikes on coach services, they can usually only be carried if they are boxed up, which constrains the appeal of using services to provide transport home after riding a linear route for example. If the benefits of mountain biking are to be realised, and the tourism ‘offer’ to be improved in terms of its interconnectedness, this is an issue that needs a strategic solution.
Signage to principal trails near centres of population needs to be improved, for example in and around Fort William, and also to the south of Inverness. The latter is inextricably linked to the need for trail development around Inverness to capitalise on its potential as a cycling hub or centre.
6.5 Increasing Participation
Mountain biking is a great opportunity to ‘promote wellbeing and healthy living’ (Highland Council, Single Outcome Agreement 2009-2010) and ‘generally enhance the feeling of well-being across our communities.’ (Moray Council, Single Outcome Agreement 2009-2011). Academic research has shown that cross-country mountain biking, for example, burns nearly twice as many calories per hour as walking (Pretty et al., 2007). Paradoxically, the Scottish Health Survey indicates that approximately 25% of Scots eat a poor diet, take insufficient exercise, drink too much alcohol and are overweight or obese. According to John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth, spending on sport and physical activity can deliver savings of millions of pounds to the NHS from a more physically active population.
“A 1% increase in sport and physical activity would yield a £3.5million saving each year from coronary heart disease, stroke and colon cancer. We need to ensure that people have the opportunities to become involved in walking, cycling and other physical activity and this is one of the key areas of action identified by the Obesity Route Map” (2011).
The conventional approach to health improvement has been upon meeting needs or delivering treatment. According to the Chief Medical Officer’s report of 2010, the way forward for the Scottish Government is to focus instead upon an ‘assets approach’ to improving health and wellbeing. Harrison et al. (2004) have defined assets as the collective resources which individuals and communities have at their disposal, which protect against negative health outcomes and promote health status. These assets can be social, financial, physical, environmental or human resources. The principle assets are those of the individuals living in the community. Those individuals may not be aware they possess many assets and, if they are, they may not use them to any particular purpose. Foot and Hopkins (2010) have suggested that community assets can include:
The passions and interests of local people that give the energy to change; The effectiveness of local community and voluntary associations;
34
The resources of public, private and third sector organisations that are available to support a community; and
The physical and economic resources of a place that enhance wellbeing.
In practical terms, communities could take this concept forward by taking part in what Morgan & Ziglio (2007-10) term ‘asset mapping’. This allows individuals to develop policies and activities based on an understanding, or ‘map’, of the community’s resources. Community asset-mapping identifies three distinct categorisations of assets:
Primary building blocks: these are the assets and capacities located inside the neighbourhood and largely under neighbourhood control – which could be identified, for example, as proactive biking groups, dirt jump construction, club activity, Active School Sport activities, volunteers, events, for example.
Secondary building blocks: assets located within the community but largely controlled by outsiders (physical resources such as suitable landscapes for trails at all grades, transport links and National Governing Body presence, for example).
Potential building blocks: resources originating outside the neighbourhood and controlled by outsiders (such as public capital for regeneration).
6.5.1 Community Asset Mapping by Highland Areas
The strength of the community assets located around the communities of Kinlochleven and Lochaber are significant. Although facilities are distant for many, the communities are supported by proactive Active School Co-ordinators (ASCs), a well-established club (West Highland Wheelers), a host of volunteers and a good working relationship with Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) and other local businesses. This statement is demonstrated with reference to an ASC report. Here, Ros Newman (Kinlochleven) comments:
“In October 2011 I recruited two volunteers to help sustain the upkeep of the Ballachullish Donkey Track, which saw it back in use and being used by children from P4-P6. I also ran mountain biking skills workshops from P1-P7 in Kinlochleven and Ballachullish with the help of Nevis range who donated some skills equipment and a locally qualified MBL, Tom Young. Five High School helpers came along and assisted on these days. These helpers then received an uplift day at Wolftrax to say ‘thank-you’ and to encourage their attendance during the summer trips”.
A partnership initiative to promote mountain bike participation is a theme evident throughout the Highlands, and ASCs have demonstrated a key role in facilitating these. The ASCs remit is to support pathways for young people to move on from school sport into club and/or performance sport. Their objective is to facilitate development and encourage volunteering, and there are significant successes evident which impact upon participation, as the following example demonstrates:
35
“In South Lochaber, primary pupils were taken to ride the world championship trails just after the championships. Since then parents have volunteered to run “after school rides” and to renovate a local track that needed work – they organised a digger, dumper and 15 tons of surface material for free, and persuaded local schools and community to give donations to help with other costs”. (Jake Williams ASC, 2012)
It is clear that local businesses have supported mountain biking participation, and opportunities for mountain biking activities also flourish in this area, including sport performance (Scottish Cycling Series & World Cup Events) and recreational mountain biking events. For example, the ‘Ten under the Ben’ event is one of many events run by the company No Fuss. This is a ten-hour challenge event on the flanks of Ben Nevis which has run for seven years, and has attracted 5,687 participants from its inaugural event in 2005. There is however, potential for more co-ordinated growth in participation. This area is home to the University of the Highlands and Island’s inaugural degree in Adventure Tourism Management, which is a programme that could supply a regular stream of qualified Mountain Bike Leaders or cycle coaches.
This area, and the Highlands as a whole, has also benefited significantly in the past from the presence of a Scottish Cycling Regional Development Officer. This post however, is currently vacant following a secondment of the officer to take on a national management role. Volunteers and Active Schools Co-ordinators have assisted to ensure that a Scottish Cycling Race Series was on offer in 2011, including events leading up to, and during the World Cup in Fort William. There were five XC races held in 2011 attracting between 30-60 participants in each round, with races in U8, U10, U12, U14, U16 and U18 categories. There are plans to expand into an adult race series to run alongside the child and youth events.
Clubs have, however, stated that a Highland Regional Development Officer is a sorely missed gap in provision. According to the National Development Manager, contingency plans will soon be in place to try to cover the gap by redefining the role of the Grampian Regional Officer, although this would clearly represent a vast area.
The strength of community assets within The Cairngorms National Park area to support mountain biking participation are largely focussed upon the three main community clusters located around: Aviemore, Grantown on Spey,and the Aboyne-Ballater-Braemar corridor. This area is home to the only club to have currently completed the full Go Ride ‘Clubmark’ accreditation - which is Sport England’s cross sport quality accreditation for clubs with junior sections i.e. Wolfpax Riders. This is a well-established club with close to 100 family members, and six active coaches/leaders. This area is also home to 45% of the Go MtBike providers resident within the Highlands (5/11), a significant volume of mountain biking-related businesses, as well as an annual programme of sport performance (SC XC) and challenge events (such as the Cairngorm Adventure Triathlon). It
36
has a number of proactive ASCs which have facilitated a range of events and participatory activities, and schools that include mountain biking as a recognised component of curricular activity, although largely during residential programmes.
This area does also have a significant volume of participatory mountain biking that is being conducted by informal groups, and this is a pattern seen throughout the Highlands. These are people who mountain bike together but do not formalise themselves into recognised clubs or affiliate to the National Governing Body. Examples of these were found throughout the region either loosely associated with either Communities (for example Carrbridge and Kincraig) or bike shops (such as CycleHighlands and Bothy Bikes). This means that it is difficult to establish the true extent of participation beyond anecdotal evidence, and, more significantly, the opinions of these groups are hard to represent.
An example of the significance of this demographic is ‘Petal Power Biking’. Although recently established in 2012, this group of 37 female mountain bikers communicate largely through social media. They do not currently operate as a formal club, but do intend to run an event to encourage more women to take up mountain biking – Event “Ride like a Girl” in September 2012. The Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland website, and Highland Cluster Group may go some way towards supporting the needs of these ‘ad hoc’ groups, but they do risk having a limited voice in a strategic plan for the development of mountain biking in the Highlands.
Paradoxically the area is rich with formal club activity, including: Cairngorm Mountain Bike Club; Cairngorm Cycle Club (CCC); EcurieNeep Mountain Bike Club; 9 zero freewheelers (Ballater); and Aboyne Cycle Club (slightly outside the area, but operating within). The human resources do seem to represent significant assets for the communities of the Cairngorm National Park.
There is a demonstrable strength in the community assets located around Inverness, the Black Isle, and perhaps also branching out along Loch Ness. Again, the evidence points to key players who have been co-ordinating and facilitating activity and development opportunities for youngsters. Key players here are all the ASCs with particularly proactive enthusiasts such as Jake Williams (formerly Glenurquhart, now Inverness), Miles Fuller (Culloden, Inverness) and Nicola Mackenzie (Fortrose). There are links too with local Clubs, including Merkinch Mountain Bike Club for over 12s, which meet once a month. Other clubs here support performance youth and elite riders (for example 777 Mountain Bike Club). There are some well-established groups operating out of Inverness, and some fledgling clubs (Culloden Cyclones) that are getting organised with sound support structures, including plans to train parents as leaders or coaches, and seeking ClubMark status.
Within this area, there is a good example of where the facilitating role of an ASC has involved planned gradual retraction in responsibility for mountain biking, and this has been enabled through community take over. Here volunteers have set up the Black Isle Mountain Bike Club which has also established a race team (Red Rock Racers). The area is also home to three Go MtBike accredited providers
37
and a host of mountain bike-related businesses, such as retail, tourism, hire and guiding businesses, with plans for a New Start Bike co-operative. Inverness College delivers SQA accredited mountain biking performance training on four of its sport programmes (68 candidates in 2010-11), manages a fleet of 14 bikes and provide optional MBLA leadership training and assessment opportunities. This is an area that is ripe with community assets, but limited in terms of accessible sustainable trail.
The Moray area is home to the Moray Mountain Bike Club, which caters for all types of mountain biking, both competitive and recreational and includes: leisure off-road, MTB downhill, MTB X-Country and Cyclo-Cross. The club also refers to a strong partnership with FCS which enables them to work together to develop trails within Moray. Again ASCs play a proactive role in this area by providing after school participatory activities. There are two local accredited providers of the Go Mountain Bike scheme.
Some areas are beginning to show the first steps towards developing participatory activities and community buy in. The Thurso ASC (2012) stated:
“We had a come and try introduction to Mountain biking at school last November. It proved to be a successful day and we now have a member of staff willing to start a club, so at the moment we are looking at funding opportunities to enable us to purchase bikes and helmets to get started”.
It is an area where there is already an established club (Wick Wheelers CC), which although mainly for road bikers, does have some mountain biking activity.
Other areas have seen a considerable growth in mountain biking community involvement over a relatively short space of time. For example the East Sutherland Wheelers (Golspie) started in Nov 2010; by 2012 it has 195 members, and is still growing. This club offers a range of disciplines, with most members being road/touring or spinning participants; however it does include mountain biking, cyclocross and has access to a grass track. Here the area benefits from the skills and enthusiasm of local PE teacher, Wim Chalmet, who is accredited to provide the Go Mtbike scheme, and Leisure Supervisor, William Sutherland (TCL). In addition, Golspie High School has a container of mountain biking equipment that is accessible to the ASC for summer programme activities. This area is home to the accessible Wildcat Trails, straight out of the community of Golspie and these are used by locals and visitors. According to the ASC (2012):
“Several of the local kids are demonstrating huge potential; one, Ian Paton is part of the Olympic Development (TalentID) Squad and others, like Scott Sutherland, do very well at national/international events”
Similarly, the community of Invergordon is benefiting from a proactive ASC, two TCL-trained staff and a recently purchased mountain bike trailer and bikes as part of a secondary school biking project. Between Spring-October 2012 S1-S3
38
pupils will be offered regular trips to trail centres, in addition to weekly school based coaching sessions. This followed a successful summer 2011 programme with six visits to venues such as Golspie and Learnie, with plans to include Wolftrax in 2012.
Finally the communities located within the areas of Wester Ross, Skye, Rum and Eigg and Eilain Sair each have isolated pockets of activity with significant community support. In Ullapool, for example, the ASC points to an excellent local partnership with FCS (Andrew Murray) which helps deliver programmes and provide wooden equipment for skills circuits. There is also a MBLA Mountain Bike Leader at the High School who undertakes after-school extracurricular mountain biking, as well as ensuring mountain biking is an active part of the curriculum during residential outdoor education programmes. There are clubs in these areas, namely Skye and Lochalsh Area Mountain Bikes (SLAM), and the Hebridean Cycle Club. This latter club is based in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. It formed at the end of 2007 and caters for both road and mountain bikers. According to the Cclub website, its aims are to promote and develop biking, build new trails and help maintain others.
The Highlands Region, as a whole, is home to a number of National Governing Body accredited tutors and coaches, enabling the delivery of training and assessment within the region. Precise numbers could not be articulated at this time, although anecdotal evidence points to a good provision of MBLA leadership training, but limited delivery of the new UKCC coaching qualifications.
As previously mentioned, there are 11 identified providers of the Go Mountain Bike proficiency scheme, devised to encourage youth participation. Other than two sole traders known to offer flexible delivery opportunities throughout the region, all other providers are geographically clustered within a restricted zone. There were no registered providers identified in the west, the Islands, or the north.
Go Mt Bike Accredited ProvidersAbriachan Forest School (Loch Ness) Raddery School Black Isle Education Centre Cycle Wild Scotland (sole trader – Aviemore) Wim Chalmet : Golspie Glenmore Lodge National Outdoor Training Centre Gordonstoun School Highland Council Lagganlia Outdoor Centre, Kincraig Neil MacPherson (Sole Trader)RAF Lossiemouth
Finally, a considerable volume of informal biking trails and dirt jump construction arguably provides evidence that the environment is ripe for development within many areas throughout the Highlands. In particular, there are well-formed dirt jumps in Boat of Garten, Aviemore, Carrbridge and Kingussie communities, and significant development of downhill trail building on the outskirts of Inverness, all areas that have not seen any formal development of facilities.
According to the Scottish Government’s Chief Medical Officer, the ‘assets mapping’ approach holds the key to community health and well-being. The
39
Commission on the Future Delivery of Public Services in Scotland (Christie, 2011) states that:
“A programme of reform is necessary to ensure that "public services are built around people and communities, their needs, aspirations, capacities and skills, and work to build up their autonomy and resilience".
The question that presents itself is whether this approach can be adopted by communities seeking to promote physically active lifestyles (through mountain biking) and thus, using their ‘community assets,’ see real improvements in health and well-being throughout the Highlands.
6.6 Potential Funding Streams
A number of mountain bike developments over the past decade or so have been financed through European funding programmes in conjunction with public and private sector partners (for example the 7Stanes through European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Objective 2 and Transitional Programmes, while the new development at Glenlivet has also been co-financed through ERDF). Other European funds that may have been used for varied aspects of mountain biking development have been the Interreg and Leader programmes. The current round of European funding programmes only runs until 2013 however. As a result, the Leader programme is not taking any more applications however and the various Interreg funding sources are also nearing their termination.
European funding in the Highlands for infrastructure-type projects is accessed through the European Regional Development Fund, managed by the Highlands and Islands Structural Funds Partnership Ltd (HIPP). HIPP informed the team that there are no funds available for the current ERDF programme which also terminates in 2013.
The European Social Fund (ESF) can be accessed for projects that improve the skills of the workforce; it is also managed through HIPP. As an example, the Cairngorms Outdoor Access Trust recently secured £400,000 to train people over the next three years on its Access Skills Training project, looking at skills related to, among others, upland and lowland path work, and interpretation/promotion. Again, however, the programme ends next year.
The European Commission has recently adopted the draft legislation that will frame the Cohesion Policy 2014-2020, which replaces the current programmes. It is too early to determine exactly how ERDF and ESF will be managed in the Highlands, but, according to HIPP, it appears that it is likely to be targeted less at smaller, infrastructural projects and more at strategic developments or projects with direct employment benefits.
Other developments have received financial support from national funds and bodies; the Nevis Range downhill red track was co-financed by SportScotland and Highlands and Islands Enterprise for example. SportScotland’s Sports Facilities Fund can still co-finance these types of investments, providing that the facility
40
would have a sporting impact and be commensurate with the governing body strategy, in this case DMBinS’s framework, ‘The Sustainable Development of Mountain Biking in Scotland’. Smaller pots of money are available for community projects through various elements of the Big Lottery Fund (http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/scotland/funding-sco).
Further details on potential funding streams are available at: http://www.senscot.net/library.php, or, specifically on European funding streams at: http://www.enterprise-europe-scotland.com/sct.
6.7 Good Practice
A number of examples of mountain biking good practice exist which are believed to have relevance to the Highlands, being relatively modest in scale (as opposed to the ‘mega-developments’ at Whistler and in the Alps for example), while still being successful.
6.7.1 Highland Perthshire
The Highland Perthshire Cycling Group last year published a 36-page booklet of routes for a range of abilities in the Perthshire area, from Blair Atoll to Dunkeld, and over to Aberfeldy. Developed in conjunction with organisations such as DMBinS, Perth and Kinross Council, and co-financed by European ERDF funding, the 16 routes in the booklet vary in difficulty, climbing and length, although most are aimed at less experienced off-road riders. They use clear mapping and instructions to guide bikers, and also include details regarding cycling centres and cycling-friendly businesses in each area, as well as an appropriate code of conduct to maintain good relationships with landowners and obviate potential conflict.
6.7.2 Hamsterley Trailblazers
The Trailblazers is a group of mountain biking enthusiasts which has come together with the express purpose of making Hamsterley Forest a great centre for mountain bikers of all abilities. It has a dedicated team responsible for co-ordination and strategic direction and a mission to create and renovate cycle tracks in Hamsterley Forest, by working in partnership with other groups. It seeks funding for trail development, promotes the forest and builds trails through the combined effort of volunteers and contractors. To date it has developed over 26 miles or trails, graded from green to black, and is a good example of how a largely voluntary organisation can succeed in helping to develop a popular mountain biking venue.
6.7.3 Coed Llandegla Forest
Coed Llandegla was opened seven years ago and now attracts around 120,000 bikers per year. It is relatively unusual in that it is situated in a privately owned and operated forest. The site is owned and managed by UPM Tilhill - a UK
41
market leader in forestry and timber harvesting – while Oneplanet Adventure is the company which runs the facilities. Although situated relatively close to the large population centres of Birmingham and Liverpool, it illustrates how a privately-run centre can thrive, through on-site facilities and charging for car parking. The trails and facilities were developed using public funding and finance from UPM Tilhill itself.
It has a great set of facilities, and having trails for all abilities, as well as for walkers, is an important consideration in terms of appealing to a family market, where family members may have different interests or needs. It also runs a series of events, catering for a range of abilities and interest, from evening time trials to a RPSB family wildlife day, aimed at families, that raises awareness of the environment and wildlife and possible conflicts with users.
6.7.4 Kielder Forest
Kielder is a good example of mountain bike development for the family market. While there are three red-graded trails, along with a black extension loop and a ‘wild’ link over to the Newcastleton 7Stanes centre, it also has three well-used easy trails, graded green and blue (one of 27km length). It also has a wide range of facilities, from SSSIs to the Kielder Observatory, as well as a café, shop and bike shop.
It is also notable for the work of the Kielder Trail Reivers, which formally meets up once a month undertake trail building, to augment the trails built professionally and funded through sources such as One North East and the European Union. The group has also managed to attract funding itself for trail building and actively works to promote the area and the trails.
6.7.5 Fruita
The mountain biking area of Fruita, centred around Grand Junction, Colorado, forms a good example of how a relatively unknown area can establish itself as a great mountain biking centre, with an excellent reputation for the quality of the trails. A large network of trails was developed by a local club, in conjunction with the local Bureau of Land Management.
The trail network is slightly unusual in having no defined routes, no signposting and few facilities, aside from car parking. While signs indicate the start and finish of individual trail segments, and are evocatively named, bikers create their own rides. Guidebooks and a map, available from the local bike store, are therefore key components of the trail product.
The well-designed map contains accurate trail representation over the whole area, as well as a host of information relevant to the recreation/tourism experience: from information about campgrounds and potential hazards to IMBA ‘codes of conduct’. It is a great example of how excellent mapping and information provision can enhance the mountain biking experience.
6.8 The Highlands as a World Class Mountain Biking Destination
42
The Highlands has great potential to be a world class destination for mountain biking. Scotland has been named an IMBA Global Superstar, albeit in 2006, recognised for its choice of wild trails and purpose-built trail centres. The Highlands in particular receives regular attention in popular media publications such as MBR and MBUK magazines; MBR says it is ‘smitten’ with Torridon and that a trip round Ben Nevis will leave you feeling ‘smug’. However it is not only journalists who shout about the attraction of mountain biking in the Highlands. Websites such as www.mtbtrails.info is a forum littered with routes and comments left by recreational bikers enjoying world class riding in the Highlands that they feel they need to share with others.
The Highlands must also be noted for its world class cycling athletes and its encouragement of mountain biking as a healthy and fun past time. On the current World Cup downhill and cross country competitive scenes are junior and senior bikers who have grown up riding off-road and who continue to train in the Highlands. Forward thinking and community involvement at venues such as Aganach Woods near Grantown, Golspie and Learnie have seen trails being developed to overcome potential conflict and to give young people suitable healthy and exciting activities. These kinds of progressive developments were part of the IMBA’s reasoning in awarding Scotland its Global Superstar status.
It can therefore be said that the trail riding experience available throughout the Highlands is comparative to trails in other world class destinations, such as in Lake Garda, Italy and Rossland, Canada. However the gaps in provision identified by this report, such as inadequate mapping and, in some areas, not enough variety of official trails for all abilities, could be enough to dampen the visitor experience. Widespread opinion within the Highland bike industry is that poorly coordinated marketing and a lack of coherent information hubs are barriers to reaching the world class potential the Highlands so clearly shows.
7. Conclusions
This report has sought to analyse the current provision for mountain biking in the Highlands, and also in the Cairngorms National Park, and identify where gaps exist in that provision. A quantification of the current and potential economic value of the mountain biking sector in these two areas detailed the potential growth in consumer expenditure that would result from three scenarios for investment and development: full growth of 30% over the next five, a do-nothing scenario where expenditure would decrease in real terms, and a scenario of partial growth, to which a caveat was added regarding the perils of only undertaking partial development while competing areas might be investing more fully.
A range of recommendations was consequently drawn up which would enable the current gaps in provision to be overcome, from practical and immediate actions to those of a more strategic nature which would also need to be implemented over a longer timeframe.
43
Due to challenging market conditions brought about by intensifying competition, deepening recession, and remote locations which can be difficult and/or expensive to access, developing mountain biking in the Highlands will be difficult. However, some of the natural and man-made product is exceptional, and has the potential to cater for a range of tastes, ages and abilities. The Highlands need to capitalise on its many unique features: its many iconic lochs, glens and islands, the unfettered access to the outdoors and the wildness and grandeur of its landscape.
To this end, the cornerstones of our recommendations are based on the construction of a clear, simple brand, which is equally accessible by local, UK and international visitors. Recent figures suggest an increase in the numbers and spend of international visitors, while domestic activity is in decline. Thus, the brand must have a universal appeal and be readily understood by those outside of the mountain biking ‘tribe’. A related point is that the importance of recreational, low-key and family-friendly cycling around easy trails is recognised. Even though the ‘brand’ might embody adventure and challenge in the Highlands, the ‘product’ must accommodate a range of abilities and intentions.
Underpinning the brand, a web site is required which must be easily navigable but which also offers sufficiently detailed information for experienced participants across the whole of the Highlands. Inevitably the web site text must be available in several key international languages, and also be augmented with enhanced way-marking, mapping, and even navigational smartphone apps.
Following the example of ski resort guides, the web site should illustrate the suitability of various areas or ‘zones’ for different levels of ability, energy and experience. This enhanced zoning, via mapping and signage, will encourage some separation between ‘hard core’ mountain bikers and family groups seeking safe natural environments for leisure pursuits. In addition, this strategy will inevitably assist consumers in their decision-making processes as they plan their trips and holidays.
Supporting this element of the strategy is the related practical requirement for clear and consistent signage, mapping and route guides, catering for bikers of all abilities. For all of this to be realised significant public and private investment is required, along with the necessary commitment and support from all stakeholders.
In summary, it is clear that the region can only realise the highest level of projected growth if such measures are implemented and it is marketed as a coherent entity with a unique position as a mountain biking destination, and which simultaneously highlights the rich diversity of challenges and experiences available in this unique landscape.
8. Further Research
44
As has been stated throughout the report, there are many aspects of mountain biking in the Highland region and beyond which may necessitate further research in order to adequately assess their potential.
8.1 Grassroots Activity
While the existing study has produced data on the activities of mountain bikers in local, ‘secret’ locations, there is insufficient understanding of how these crucial melting pots for interest and skills development actually work. The informal, often clandestine, nature of the trail builder’s activities means that such places can be hard to find, and the participants elusive. These developments are largely unauthorised by landowners and can result with constructed play parks, jumps and trails destroyed or access to the trails being obstructed. It can very hard to establish whether the trails are developed in appropriate locations due to a lack of communication between mountain bikers and landowners and vice-versa. Yet such grassroots activity is arguably the lifeblood of the sport, particularly in terms of newcomers and later for high level performance.
Some grassroots activity has been formalised as pump tracks and jump parks, and these have a valuable role to play in the development of mountain biking practice in the region. Yet little is known about how such places and activities translate into committed mountain bike activity later in life. Positive evidence of this would help to see funds attracted for such developments as part of sporting, health and wellbeing and tourism excellence initiatives.
8.2 Landowner/Trailbuilder Liability/Trail Maintenance
Allied to the issue of unofficial trail building, alluded to above, and indeed to the issues of signposting and trail maintenance, is the unresolved one of landowner liability. Further research is required into the legal status of landowners and trail builders. Indeed, it may be that there is a requirement for lobbying from key stakeholder groups in pursuit of a clear statement on policy regarding protection for those who allow their land to be used for leisure purposes which have a significant contribution to make to an area’s sustainability, and yet may be confronted with claims for compensation as a result of these activities.
Allied to this point, the burden of trail maintenance often falls to those who do not directly benefit financially from the activities. Thus, detailed research into the overall economic impact of mountain bike-related leisure must be allied to the infrastructural preconditions and the costs of their upkeep.
8.3 Informal Cycling Activities
Due to the fact that ‘informal’ off road cyclists are invariably not members of clubs or guided by paid instructors, their activities and their impact are hard to gauge. A great deal more fieldwork is required in order to make a meaningful assessment of the amount of mountain biking on towpaths, fireroads and informal trails that takes place off-road in the Highlands, alongside the similarly unrecorded activities of those more experienced riders who are not club members or course clients. The research team at CRTR suspect that these
45
groups actually represent a substantial part (perhaps 75%) of mountain biking activity in the UK, and yet also acknowledge that their expectations, aspirations and experiences are rarely captured.
8.4 Mountain Biking Consumer Research
Whilst there is a raft of data collected region by region, or business by business, about how cycling visitors navigate, anticipate and experience the Highlands as an off-road biking experience, there is a lack of clarity, detail and coordination in these datasets. In order to justify the proposed strategies across the region, it is crucial to interrogate the consumer/user experience in the Highlands. Such research should explore the ‘how, why, when and where’ issues and avoid asking individuals a range of pre-ordained questions. Rather, the programme of observations, focus groups and interviews should encourage users to speak for themselves, so that innovations and aspects of the Highland brand’s special qualities might emerge, not from ‘insiders’ perspectives, but from those who journey from urban centres in Scotland and beyond in order to experience the special qualities of these places.
9. Acknowledgements
In undertaking this project, CRTR would like to thank the following for their help:
• Andy Meldrum (Glencoe Ski Resort)• Craig Millar (Forestry Commission Scotland)• Colin Simpson (Highland Council)• Pete Crane (Cairngorms National Park)• Heather Negus (Nevis Range)• Ian Whittaker (Cairngorm Resort)• Geoff Robson (Highland Council)• Jules Fincham (Cycle Wild Scotland)• Kevin Thomson (High Life Highland) • Phillipa Grant (Rothiemurchus Estate)• Al Gilmour (Glenmore Lodge)• Damien Foster (Nevis Range)• Bob MacFarlane (Scottish Cycling)• Frazer Coupland (OCUK)• Euan Wilson (Highlands & Islands Adventure)• Jack MacKay (Forestry Commission Scotland)• Lindsay Carruthers (Basecamp MTB, Laggan)
And of course to Graeme McLean at Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland.
Funding
This project is being part financed by the Scottish Government and the European Community Highland Leader 2007-2013 programme. The other funding partners were Highland Council, DMBinS, Cairngorm National Park Authority and No Fuss Events.
46