Glentress Skills Area to cap development project

Forestry and Land Scotland has submitted a new planning application to develop the Skills Area at Glentress.

This follows advice from the planning authority that the final revised design, developed following consultation with local user groups, could not be accommodated in the previous application.

The proposed design includes features such as a mini MTB zone, roller zone, cornering zone, drop and tech zones. They will provide riders at all levels the opportunity to practice and develop their skills before exploring further into Glentress forest and its 72km of networked MTB trails.

Martin Page, FLS’ South Region Visitor Services Manager, said;

“This is one of the final elements of the Glentress Masterplan and is one that will further broaden the appeal of this fantastic, multi-use destination.

“From its inception, this has been a high-intensity project that set out to reinvigorate this amazing south Scotland attraction and to significantly improve the offering for visitors, including the free-to-ride mountain bike trails.

“The exciting skills area design was developed following consultation with local riders and a range of regional and national stakeholders. Submission of this new planning application marks the completion of an important milestone and another step towards completing our development work at Glentress. The skills area will round off this section of the project nicely.”

FLS anticipates that, following planning approval and weather permitting, the skills area will take around 12 weeks to construct.

FLS is also carrying out planned maintenance work on two of its newer Glentress trails. Regular health and safety inspections revealed that the trails had been affected by far higher than anticipated usage thanks to exceptionally high visitor numbers throughout a particularly wet summer.

Any disruption will be kept to a minimum with the required works expected to be completed within a few weeks.

Notes to editors

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) manages forests and land owned by Scottish Ministers in a way that supports and enables economically sustainable forestry; conserves and enhances the environment; delivers benefits for people and nature; and supports Scottish Ministers in their stewardship of Scotland's national forests and land. Home - Forestry and Land Scotland.
Media enquiries to media@forestryandland.gov.scot