The Tarland Trails Pittenderich project is a new hub for mountain bike trails in Aberdeenshire. Costing £1.1 million, this iconic facility is located on the outskirts of the village of Deeside.
The initiative, run by the Tarland Development Group, offers a variety of specially designed mountain biking trails for cyclists of all skill levels.
The investment includes £350,000 from Scottish Enterprise and £300,000 from the Sportscotland Cycling Facilities Fund, as well as £250,000 from Just Transition. The funds were obtained as a result of a collaborative approach between the local group, North East Adventure Tourism, Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland, Opportunity North East, Aberdeenshire Council and Scottish Enterprise.
The full funding profile has been supplemented by fundraising through the Tarland Development Group along with generous private and local business donations.
A growing number of companies are benefiting from Aberdeenshire’s growing adventure and MTB tourism thanks to the new jobs created in the supply chain, such as bike shops, event organisers, accommodation providers, restaurants and cafes.
New trails for all levels.
Leading trail construction specialists CRC and local ecology specialist Envirocentre handled the on-site delivery of the project, which includes blue, red, orange and black graded trails.
The routes are located on the slopes of the Pressendye and Pittenderich hills, overlooking the Howe of Cromar.
There is also a trailhead with parking for 90 vehicles and ecological toilet facilities.
The Macrobert Trust Estate and private landowners Mr and Mrs Dalgarno have entered into a lease to secure the project site for years to come.
Credit: Andy McCandlish
The Aberdeenshire mountain biking scene has grown steadily in recent years and boasts a network of nature trails, an enthusiastic and welcoming cycling community, creative and adaptable local bike shops and a thriving racing and events scene.
The development follows the successful phase one project at Tarland Trails – Drummy Woods, which has become a hub of activity for cyclists. The driving force behind the project has been the Tarland Development Group and in particular the group’s interim chairman and current Scottish Trails Champion of the Year, Chris Redmond.
He said: “It’s fantastic to realize our ambition to create a trail center in Aberdeenshire. Our first phase, Tarland Trails Drummy Woods, opened in 2015 and has been an incredible success for the area, providing locals and visitors, particularly children, youth and families, the opportunity to safely ride bikes on fun trails. and accessible.
“This new development will help the village maintain its business community, attract young families to the area, retain youth in this rural area, and help improve the physical and mental health of users.
“The trail center has been made possible through the commitment of our volunteer board and I would like to thank my fellow trustees as well as the owners for their time, energy and expertise in making it happen.
“I would also like to extend my thanks to those who have supported us, in particular Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland and North East Adventure Tourism, and to all the sponsors of the project.”
See: tarland trails.
