The Scottish Cycling Foundation (SCF) and Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBinS) are pleased to announce the successful recipients of the 2026 Scottish Trail Fund, with more than £10,000 awarded to trail associations, community groups and volunteers dedicated to improving and developing mountain biking trails across Scotland.

The fund has been made possible through the generosity of riders, supporters and regular donors, alongside the success of the Trek Bike Raffle. This investment will help support the volunteers and local communities whose efforts are essential to maintaining, improving and growing Scotland’s trail network for future generations.

The fund was vastly over-subscribed with applications totalling more than £40,000. The gap in available funding highlights both the need for funding to do even more amazing upgrades and improvements to our trails across Scotland.

Following a strong round of applications from across the country, the following organisations have been awarded funding through the 2026 Scottish Trail Fund:

• Highland Trail Riders
• Dingwall Mountain Bike Trail Group
• Ochil Trail Association
• Inverness Royal Academy Cycle Hub
• North Argyll Trail Association (part of Adventure Oban)
• Bike Trossachs Trail Association
• CycleStation Bike Hire Limited
• Tayside Trails Association
• Cambusbarron Community Development Trust (Cambu Trail Collective)
• BASTA – Laggan Trail Crew (Laggan Forest Trust)
• Aberdeenshire Trail Association

The funded projects will support a range of activities, including trail maintenance and development, volunteer training, tools and materials, insurance, landowner engagement and studies that will help groups responsibly expand trail opportunities in their communities.

Lesley Ingram Sills, Trustee of the Scottish Cycling Foundation, said:

“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported the Scottish Trail Fund, from our regular donors and Trek to the riders and communities who got behind the Trek Bike Raffle. The quality of applications received highlights the remarkable work being undertaken by trail groups across Scotland. Supporting initiatives like this is exactly why the Scottish Cycling Foundation was established, and we are excited to see the impact these projects will have across Scotland’s trail network over the coming year.”

Graeme McLean, Head of DMBinS who support SCF in administering the fund, said:

“The response to the Scottish Trail Fund has been incredible and clearly demonstrates the passion, commitment and ambition that exists within Scotland’s trail communities. Thanks to the support of Trek, our donors and everyone who bought a ticket in the Trek Bike Raffle, we have been able to invest directly in projects that will help volunteers improve, maintain and develop trails for the benefit of riders and local communities.

If every rider who enjoys Scotland’s trail network considered making a small regular donation, it would have a transformative impact. For little more than the price of a coffee each month, riders can help support the volunteers, tools, training and projects that keep our trails sustainable, accessible and enjoyable for everyone. We look forward to seeing the funded projects come to life over the coming months and the positive impact they will have in communities across the country.”

Applications were assessed against a range of criteria, including community benefit, volunteer involvement, sustainability and the potential to encourage greater participation in mountain biking and trail stewardship.

Adam Flint, TTA Secretary & Dunkeld Coordinator, said:

“We are delighted to receive support from the Scottish Trail Fund for a project on Birnam Hill. The access path is a vital link to some of the area’s most popular beginner-friendly mountain bike trails, but years of erosion and blocked drainage have made it increasingly difficult to use.”

“This funding will allow us to work alongside the landowner to restore and improve the route, creating a more sustainable and accessible path for riders, walkers and other trail users. It will help ensure that newcomers and visitors to Dunkeld can enjoy these fantastic trails while protecting the hill for future generations.”

The Scottish Trail Fund was established to support volunteer-led trail development and maintenance projects throughout Scotland. The Fund and the grant making process is administered and supported by the staff of DMBinS and Scottish Cycling who made recommendations to the trustees of the Scottish Cycling Foundation (OSCR NO. SC051130) for approval.

Successful applicants will deliver their projects throughout 2026, helping to improve trail sustainability, strengthen local volunteer networks and create more opportunities for people to enjoy Scotland’s world-class mountain biking trails.