The Crown Estate continues to investigate opportunities to help boost the local economy by establishing a centre for mountain biking in the forests around the estate. Mountain biking is increasingly popular and mountain bike centres elsewhere have brought significant economic benefits to remote rural areas.
A leading UK mountain bike trail designer has carried out a feasibility study at Glenlivet and identified three potential forest routes, which will provide challenging downhill riding while offering stunning views of Glenlivet's spectacular scenery. These routes would be carefully integrated into the landscape, preserve the environment and not interfere with any existing land use activities.
The Crown Estate has been working with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Moray Council, the Cairngorms National Park and Scottish Natural Heritage to develop the project plan and the funding support, which is essential for the project to go ahead. Should it gain community and agency support, the trails would hopefully be developed over the next three to four years. Moray Council has given its full support and has applied for European funding to assist with a significant proportion of the costs. |
