Mountain biking (MTB) is a popular and growing sport in the UK, with an estimated 5.5m bikers. Scotland was awarded 'Global Superstar' status by the International Mountain Biking Association in 2006, with 7stanes playing a key part in the country gaining this reputation.
The 7stanes is a partnership project started in 2001 (for partner details see the who we are page) which recently finished its third phase (2008 – 2011). The emphasis of phase three was to identify a long term sustainable strategy for funding the promotion of the 7stanes trail centres.
Forestry Commission Scotland is committed to undertaking the management and maintenance of the trails however, the public sector support for the promotion o f the centres is reaching its end. That is why we have set up the new 7stanes Mountain Biking Community Interest Company (CIC).
The CIC is a not for profit company and has a Board comprising public and 6 private sector representatives from local tourism businesses. The company’s aim is to secure new funding streams to allow the continuation of the marketing of the 7stanes to benefit all the local tourism operators.