Until recently even many Scottish based riders felt that they needed to trawl overseas in search of a decent mountain biking adventure. No longer. These days Scotland has emerged as a truly world class mountain biking destination capable of hosting World Cup events and, in 2007 for the first time, the World Championship. Indeed the country has even usurped Canada as the number one mountain biking destination in the world according to an International Mountain Bike Association ‘People’s Poll’.

Scotland being recognised as a serious biking destination may be a relatively new phenomenon, but it is not a surprise to some Scots, especially those involved in tourism. Jon Salton, a veteran mountain biker who runs his own tour company, Highland Experience, enthuses: ‘I have cycled around the world, but only Scotland really does it for me. There is such a variety of well set-up biking tracks within such a beautiful country, as well as plenty of old trails where you can head out on your own. Whatever you want it is here.’

Since 2002 Fort William has been holding rounds of the Mountain Bike World Cup and in 2007 it hosted the first three-discipline spectacular of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup series. Over five hundred world-class riders from more than 35 countries competed in three extreme freesports - Downhill, 4 Cross and Cross Country. Scotland’s reputation seems on an inexorable rise as Fort William was also awarded the UCI World Championships, held in September 2007.

The first rate centre at Fort William is the most celebrated mountain biking venue in the country and the downhill here is the only World Cup venue in the UK as well as the only course with gondola access. With a vertical drop of 525m and a length of 2.66km, its rocky straights, bus stops, tight corners, exposed hillside, slab rock, tight gullies and big jumps mean that it is not for the fainthearted, but the owners stress that even intermediate bikers can have a go with the right gear.

For those looking for a more relaxed ride the surrounding Lochaber region overflows with scenic trails, whether they are part of the official trails at Fort William or longer distance routes that open up the forests, glens and lochs that tempt all around.

You don’t even need to head up to the Highlands to sample some mountain bike action. Glentress in the Borders claims to be Scotland’s largest and most popular mountain biking centre. Glentress started off in 2000 when the Forestry Commission showed an enlightened approach to land management and access by opening a red route, a trail that involves a long uphill followed by a heart pumping downhill with constructed beams and more natural single track through thick forest. In total there are now 6 tracks, with bike uplifting on hand to save you some of the toughest legwork at a centre that is constantly evolving. It also boasts an excellent café where bike widows and widowers can seek refuge.

For those looking to develop their existing skills and take them a step further Scotland also boasts centres that offer training courses. Glenmore Lodge has established a reputation for first-rate training, which can lead on to Mountain Bike Leader and Trail Cycle Leader awards. Groups can also arrange practice runs and advanced training at Glenmore.

Scotland is certainly not resting on its newly won mountain biking laurels, with centres constantly upgrading facilities and new runs coming on stream. At Golspie in the Highlands the longest downhill track in the UK, the Highland Wildcat, is currently under construction on the slopes of Ben Bhraggie with the first phase opened in 2006. Volunteers from the local Monumental Mountain Bike Club have been helping build some challenging rock gardens, jumps and drop offs with support from the local estate and from Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise.

Another relative Highland newcomer is Wolftrax at Laggan, which markets itself as ‘Mountain Biking Trails with Bite.’ The trail network offers everything from a fun blue run through to a highly technical black run. The challenging black is 6.4km downhill on top of a 3km fire road climb and its myriad obstacles include huge drop-offs, boulder fields, rock slabs and stone staircases with the nefarious names of the sections, such as Two Ton Drop and Surgeon’s Slab, giving an idea of the difficulty involved.

Away from the organised centres some bikers prefer just to get out on their own on a longer trail rather than artificial run. If you want to take on a long distance trail, but don’t fancy tackling it all alone, companies like Wilderness Scotland are on hand. They offer a choice of routes, with the most extensive a week on Skye and the Outer Hebrides and just over a week traversing the entire nation from the North Sea at Aberdeen right across to the Atlantic and the rugged Ardnamurchan Peninsula. They also do shorter trips based in Speyside. Given the mileage per day the Wilderness Scotland trips are not for slouches, but they also allow plenty of time to kick back and enjoy the scenery en route too.

Whether you are looking to spend a few relatively leisurely days easing around some of the most dramatic countryside in Europe on an old drovers’ trail or want to hurl yourself down one of the world’s toughest and most technical World Championship class downhills, then Scotland is for you. These days one of Europe’s most scenic countries well deserves its growing reputation as the world’s number one mountain biking destination.

Websites

Visit Scotland: http://cycling.visitscotland.com

Fort William - www.ridefortwilliam.co.uk

Glentress - www.thehubintheforest.co.uk

Glenmore Lodge - www.glenmorelodge.org.uk

Golspie Highland Wildcat -  www.highlandwildcat.com

Wolftrax - www.basecampmtb.com

Wilderness Scotland - www.wildernessscotland.com

If you Like This Try…

Croatia – Mountain biking is just taking off in one of Europe’s fastest growing tourist destinations. The pristine mountains and 1,185 islands make great venues. 2 Wheels Treks (www.2wheeltreks.co.uk) run boat-based island hopping mountain bike trips.

Canada – Scotland’s big rival offers some top centres as well as some stunning single track. British Columbia is the highlight (www.dirtworld.com/trails/BritishColumbiaMountainBiketrails.asp).

New Zealand – With epic mountains and sparsely populated countryside New Zealand is another mountain biking hot spot. For more info see www.mountainbike.co.nz.