Mountain Biking in Scotland
Search our essential mountain biking travel guides to some of the best trails around.
Where do you want to go?
Hailing from Scotland, it would be fair to expect a touch of bias in The Contour Collectives description of its native riding spots. That being said, we have travelled to many of the world's best riding venues and can honestly say, hand on our heart, that Scotland has some of the best riding this world has to offer. From epic mountain ranges connected by footpaths of rock and gravel to dense forests populated by handcrafted trails running like veins as far as the eye can see - there is something for every appetite in this proud northern nation.
What YOU NEED TO KNOW
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Scotland has a wide variety of trails and locations that make it an excellent destination for beginner mountain bikers. The ‘7stanes’ mountain bike network in the Scottish Borders is a particularly good example of the sort of beginner friendly riding Scotland has to offer. These officially marked trails are graded from ‘green’ to ‘black’ so you can make sure you are on the right trail for your ability. ‘Green’ trails are suitable for beginners and ‘black’ for more advanced riders. As well as the 7stanes, there are lots of other marked trails suitable for all abilities in the Highlands, North East, North and Central Belts.
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Description text goes hereScotland has so much to offer those looking for an unforgettable mountain bike break in a stunning and unique country with a rich cultural heritage. From epic bike packing trips and mountain days in the North West and Highlands, to some of the best trail riding the world has to offer in the Scottish borders - there is something for every taste and ability in this beautiful northern country.
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There are many places in Scotland where it’s possible to hire mountain bikes. Most trail centres have bike shops with hire available and there are many bike shops in towns up and down the country that also offer a variety of mountain bike hire. The easiest place to hire mountain bikes in Scotland though is at the larger and more popular destinations like Nevis Range in the Scottish Highlands and Glentress in the Scottish Borders. Both of these locations have a fleet of mountain bikes available for hire so you are bound to find something to suit your needs and ability.
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It might be fair to say that Scotland has some of the best mountain bike coaching in the world. Now the leader and founder of the EWS series, Scotland native, Chris Ball, was one of the first to see the value in ski style coaching for mountain biking. The company and college course he co-founded with Andy Barlow has had a hand in a number of top riders from the downhill world Cup and EWS series. Most of the mountain bike coaching available in Scotland is for all abilities and is sure to improve riding ability.
Here's an overview of the Highlands and Islands
The Scottish Highlands are home to some of the very best riding in the UK, but that’s hardly even the best thing about riding there. Vast open mountain ranges, ancient native forests and awe inspiring lochs make mountain biking in the Scottish Highlands as good for the eyes as it is to the body.
For those who follow mountain bike racing, the Highlands have been made famous by the legendary Fort William World Cup. Every year, racers from all over the world compete in an effort to be the fastest to the bottom of Aanoch Mor, a mountain sitting opposite the UK’s largest, Ben Nevis. Fort William is a great destination for all abilities (there’s other trails beside the Downhill track!) but there are many other destinations in this region. From Oban to Ullapool there are passionate riding scenes breathing life into trials there. You just won’t finish a ride without a giant smile on your face…but then that’s the case in most places!
Lots of riding combined with its beautiful landscapes and fascinating history, make the Scottish Highlands a unique and impressive riding destination.
Location Checks
Check out our Trail Checks from the Highlands and Islands here
Here's an overview of the Scottish Borders
The Scottish borders are fast becoming a cycling heaven for people all over the world. It’s rolling hills, expansive forests and good relations between riders, landowners and forestry workers have proved a powerful combination. In certain parts of this region, there are trails on every hill within view - and not just trails, good trails…exceptional trails even!
The first stories we’ve heard of riding in the area come from the early 90s, though we’ve no doubt there has always been a class of hardy youths tearing down forest roads on whatever bikes they could get their hands on. Since then, riding has exploded in this part of the country.
The Scottish borders are home to all seven of the ‘7stanes’ mountain bike centres. These are official forestry trails that cater to all abilities, making them a great destination for both the beginner and advanced rider. It is an area with a rich culture of riding and trail building, so there are many other great riing spots outside of the 7stanes as well.
Location Checks
More Coming Soon
Here's an overview of the Central Belt
Scotland's central belt offers more options for riding than one might expect from the populous lowlands of a country with so much riding to the North and South. For clarity, we have included riding around Perth into our list of central belt locations. By some definitions, this is not in the central belt but since Perth is so well connected to Edinburgh, Stirling and Glasgow, it made sense for us to include. Home to four of Scotland's five cities, the central belt enjoys an important ingredient for mountain bike destinations - people wanting to build, create and ride mountain bike trails. See our list of locations below for some incredible riding around Scotland's Central Belt.
Location Checks
More Coming Soon including:
Cathkin Braes but for now check out our Location Check video here
Here's an overview of the North East
There are a number of great riding spots in the North East of Scotland especially around Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. Something of a hidden gem in the country, this area has been largely under the radar to the wider population until recent years. We suspect this might have been deliberate with coy locals keeping the trails to themselves. From the South the Angus Glens just North of Dundee and Perth are a great introduction to mountain adventures while those looking for a big mountain experience should venture in and around Ballater and the mountains around Loch Muick.
If you’re just starting your mtb journey the trails in Alyth near Blairgowrie or Tarland Trails will give you everything you need to progress onto big trails.
The North East’s only official trail centre, Pitfichie, is dominated by granite slabs and big open space and is continuing to evolve thanks to the local train association.
If you’re looking for air time, the privately owned ‘DH Farm’ is a unique and friendly spot to build up your jumping confidence. There’s plenty more in this region to explore and it’s diverse riding terrain make it a great mountain biking destination.
Location Checks
