Learnie Red Rocks mountain bike trail site on the Black Isle to boost car parking amid surge in demand, says Forestry and Land Scotland
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Surging demand in the use of popular mountain bike trails on the Black Isle has sparked moves to boost car parking for the growing number of visitors.
Work to create 25 extra spaces is now under way at Forestry and Land Scotland's Learnie Red Rocks site, which is located on the Black Isle between Rosemarkie and Cromarty.
Learnie offers a range of trails to suit all abilities and skill levels but is especially good for novice and intermediate riders, and it has proven increasingly popular.
Carol MacKintosh, Forestry and Land Scotland's area visitor services manager, said: “Learnie is steadily growing in popularity so we’re looking to be able to accommodate that upsurge in interest.
“The excitement generated by the recent UCI World Championships has no doubt helped encourage more people to give mountain biking a try. Experienced riders love the challenges on offer here but Learnie is also ideal for learners.
“We will have to close the skills area while we do the work but the trails will still be open.”
She explained that in recent years the car park had often not been big enough to cope with the number of visitors, and that recent timber harvesting work had presented an opportunity to enlarge the facility accordingly.
Ewan Henderson, chairman of the Black Isle Trails Association, said: “The Black Isle Trails Association was set up to ensure that the trails within the Black Isle and Inverness areas remain safe, exciting and accessible to as many people as can get to them.
“For the last three years we have worked closely with FLS to try and maintain the trails, whilst ensuring ongoing work is carried out to stabilise erosion and improve car parking safety.
“After the recent tree felling operation, FLS has taken the opportunity to carry out some long overdue and wholly necessary car park expansion work.
“We welcome the efforts of those involved in making this possible and look forward to the immediate future where significant input and resources will be required to maintain and improve the more pressing issues. These include us working collaboratively to tackle the wear and tear issues to the main tracks / car park jump area, manage and plan for the imminent extensive harvesting damage and ensure that opportunity exists to make the venue sustainable and attractive for the next generation.”
The car park extension is expected to take five weeks and in the interim an alternative entrance will allow access to the site from Eathie.
A one-way system will be in operation.
