Moray has scored a major tourism success thanks to a new mountain bike trail averaging almost 1000 visitors a month since it opened late last year.
The Glenlivet Mountain Bike trail was the result of a £375,000 investment from the Crown Estate. As well as the highly acclaimed trail design by Paul Masson the attraction boasts a new visitor centre which between them pulled in 5000 visitors with the summer season yet to get fully under way.
Hailing the attraction as a “major success” for Moray, VisitScotland awarded the trails a four-star grading. The tourism bodies regional director, Scott Armstrong, said it was vital in this year of Homecoming Scotland and the Commonwealth Games that Scotland offered as much as possible to ensure visitors returned time and again.
Mr Armstrong said: “What is fantastic is that the local economy is also benefiting with hoteliers in the area reporting a busier than usual winter.”
That point was underlined by local hotelier Martin Hutchinson from the Richmond Arms Hotel in Tomintoul: “The success of the trail show it is making a major contribution to our local economy, with many more people visiting and spending money.
“We want and need this area to be a destination which offers people value for money and memorable experiences.”
Glenlivet Mountain Bike Trail Centre from Martin Lonie on Vimeo.