Lothianburn Adventure Centre

Swanston Farm is planning a new mountain bike & adventure centre the former Lothianburn Course.

Following the closure of Lothianburn Golf Club in December 2013, the site reverted to farming by Swanston Farm, who have owned the land since the 1970’s.

The site is perfect for easily accessible mountain bike trails that would be ideal for the biking community in Edinburgh.

This vision was supported by sportscotland with a feasibility study into the development of a mountain bike centre on the site, continuing a tradition of recreational activity in the area. Project Aims

• Improved public access to Lothianburn & the wider Pentland Hills

• Creation of mountain bike trails to suit all abilities

• A city-based stepping stone to wider participation

• Introduction of accessible adventure sports to the local population

• Economic impact for the local area

• New woodland creation and increase in Wildlife habitat

• Creation of affordable overnight accommodation within southern Edinburgh Lothianburn Adventure Centre

Why mountain biking at Lothianburn? Lothianburn Adventure Centre Existing Trail Centres, within 60mins drive of site Trails in urban location The Skelf, Vat Run & other city sites Glenrothes/Balbirnie Park, 48 mins Based on a catchment located within 30 minutes Glen Mile Cumbernauld, 41 mins Glenrothes 48mins Middleden 42 mins Trail centre - extensive facilities Glentress, 35 mins Mains Farm 50mins Trail centre - some facilities Callander Park, 26 mins drive time of Lothianburn and looking at the general Beecraigs Country Park, 27 mins (in development) Lochore 37mins Bo’ness Woods, 27 mins (in development) Devilla, 35 mins Middleden 42mins Lochore Meadows, 37 mins trends in : Mains Farm, 50 mins Pollok Country Park, 54 mins Trail centre - parking only Innerleithen, 42mins Devilla 35mins Carron Valley Mountain Bike Centre 52mins • There is a potential total market of 173,248 existing Cathkin Braes 54mins Travel times based on Google Maps routing on clear roads.

Bo’ness Woods 28mins Rare Management on behalf of Swanston New Golf Club and Swanston Farm Date: 9.2.15 Carron Valley 52mins T. 0131 555 3820 E. [email protected] Do not scale from drawing

cyclists with a mountain bike (in the loosest definition) Callender Park 26mins The Vat Run

Glen Mile 41mins Beecraigs 27mins and 234,723 non-cyclists who might be prepared to try The Skelf & others

• Safe, traffic-free venues are a good way of developing Lothianburn Pentlands Pollok Park 54mins cycling skills that can be transferred to riding on roads 25km radius from Lothianburn • A shortage of trail centres within 30 minutes of Edinburgh Cathkin Braes 54mins • Mountain biking is still the dominant sector in terms of equipment sales and long term growth Glentress 35mins 50km radius from Lothianburn

• The demand for trail centres is as strong as ever Innerleithen 42mins • Lothianburn has perfect terrain for all levels of trails

Where riders ride Amount of riding by loca2on Survey of exisEng mountain bike riders in Edinburgh and the Lothians Based on a survey of 127 Edinburgh based, regular mountain bikers: 40% • Glentress is the most popular location for weekend riding and a big day out 35%

• The Pentland Hills are the favourite for midweek rides 30% • Travel time is important, especially midweek 25% • The development of club-friendly facilities could be the 20% Weekends catalyst for a new site-based club 36% Midweek days 32% • The ideal option is varied, technical, weather-proof trails 15% 27% with short travel times 10% 20% 20% 16% 16%

5% 11% 7% 6% 6% 3% 0% Glentress Pentland Hills Other natural trails Innerleithen Urban trails within city Other trail centres

Accessibility How they get to exis-ng venues Survey of exisGng mountain bike riders in Edinburgh and the Lothians Based on a survey of 127 Edinburgh based, regular mountain bikers: 100% 1% 2% 0% 2% 2% 0% 5% 8% • The use of trail centres (such as Glentress) is restricted to 5% 90%

those with cars, or if younger riders, those whose parents 16% 80% will drive them 40% 70% • 75% cycle to access the Pentland Hills and 90% ride to lo- 67% 71% 60% cally available trails in the city 84% Public transport 50% Drive with friends 22% • Lothianburn is easily accessible by bike and public trans- 90% Drive alone 40% Cycle port 75% • Trails in the Pentlands are mixed use (walkers, bikers, hors- 30%

20% es and livestock 36% 27% 25% 10% • A large number of Pentland Hills trails are not weatherproof 15%

4% 3% 0% 1% Pentland Hills Other natural trails Urban trails within city Glentress Innerleithen Other trail centres Lothianburn Adventure Centre Public Mountain Bike Trails at Lothianburn, Edinburgh – Feasibility Study and Market Appraisal

Table 6 Potential Regional Hub suitability

Scottish Cycling Regional Hub Lothianburn Comments minimum requirements potential Dedicated facility built to at least regional XCO (Olympic Cross Country) mountain biking will standards in at least two disciplines be the primary discipline. There is potential for future MAYBE DH (Downhill) trails. It could become a base/departure point for circuits into the Scottish Cycling Facilities Strategy (April 2014) surrounding road network Facilities to support entry into cycle-sport for new Trail suitability YES Potential Regional Hub Suitability participants Multi-club involvement YES New on-site club and access for other clubs Ancillary facilities/structures to support coaching Skills loop, skills features, multi-purpose room for YES provision, programme and events delivery classroom sessions, events programme on site “The future growth and success of the sport is fundamentally Meeting room YES In trailhead building Access to toilets/changing facilities YES In trailhead building linked, therefore, to re-establishing the importance of dedi- Potential for year round use YES All weather trails, low travel times Potential for Scottish Cycling Regional Depends on use of Glentress, Hunters Hall and cated cycle-sport facilities and to securing adequate funding Development Officers and/or Local Authority MAYBE other facilities Officers to be based at the hub and support to provide safe and accessible facilities for de- Links to network of on- and off- road circuits, Access into Pentlands for off-road and direct access routes or trails out-with the dedicated facility YES to A702 for on-road veloping riders and .” provision Where MTB is identified, in addition to trails, Skills loops for all levels YES skills loops should be provided Where possible and appropriate, hubs should be For discussion with City of Edinburgh and Midlothian linked to wider Community Sports Hub provision MAYBE Councils, particularly with regard to schools access and use

6.7. Edinburgh’s Physical Activity and Sport Strategy (CEC Culture and Sport Committee, March 2014) Public Mountain Bike Trails at Lothianburn, Edinburgh – Feasibility Study and Market Appraisal “Cycling has a valuable role to play as a means of transport, a leisure activity and as a sport. Edinburgh has Table 7 Potentialone of theLothianburn highest suitabilitycycling levels with Edinburgh’s of all urban Physical areas Activityin Scotland and Sport but moreStrategy will be done to continue increasing all forms of cycling.” City of Edinburgh Council Lothianburn Comments 6.8. The City of EdinburghAction areas Council (CEC) has identifiedpotential the following key elements in its strategy to encourage greaterActive L activityiving amongst its residents. • The growth of recreational cycling is recognised The integration of physical activity into as a precursor activity to the use of cycling as a everyday life. means of transport. Lothianburn will provide a o Better use of Edinburgh’s natural outdoor spaces safe, traffic-free location for learning. o Improved use of quality sports facilities, including those •of schools YES There is a goal to join the city networks to the o Sustained participation with a focus on tackling inequalities Pentlands. Lothianburn could be a key entry o Better clubs and community-led initiatives point for all forms of recreation. Edinburgh’s Physical Activity and o Increased visibility for physical activity and sport in Edinburgh• Increasing use of the natural environment and

(CEC Culture & Sport Committee, March 2014) more physical activity through cycling. Sport Strategy 6.9. WithinThe Great this Outdoorsstrategy there is recognition of cycling as one of •the focusIn consultation sports (in with addition the relevant to its governing importance Potential Lothianburn suitability with Edinburgh’s Physical asAreas a sustainable such as the meansPentland of Hills travel offer within popular the city) and the use of thebodies Pentlands and Adventure for more Edinburgh, activities. Lothianburn recreational activities that are free, are seen to could provide a participation pathway for a wide 6.10. Therebe more are accessible, 5 action canareas be withienjoyedn the by overallthe sport strategy and therange potential of outdoor fit with activities. a facility at Lothianburn Activity and Sport Strategy family together, there are no opening and • is shown below. Learning opportunities (both school age and closing times and provides activity in great adult) could be developed for general cycling, scenery. mountain biking, , walking, hill Provision for expanding the opportunities for YES , bushcraft, forest skills etc. “Cycling has a valuable role to play as a means of transport, families as well as adults to gain experience in • Links could be established with cycling skill outdoor sports such as mountain biking also development programmes in schools. a leisure activity and as a sport. Edinburgh has one of the needs to be addressed. • Lothianburn is within the Pentland Hills Regional Park boundary and has a proactive and highest cycling levels of all urban areas in Scotland but more supportive landowner. This development could be the catalyst for wider improvement of trails will be done to continue increasing all forms of cycling.” within the Pentland Hills. Sport and Exercise • The proximity of Lothianburn to the Jack Kane Facility development is hindered by lack of Centre (11km) means that it could be funds for all 14 focus sports in the Council’s considered as a satellite venue specifically for The City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) has identified the fol- strategy. mountain biking. Cycling is one of the focus sports and there is • Lothianburn could be utilised for a range of YES a commitment to develop the Jack Kane school and club activities and programmes, not lowing key elements in its strategy to encourage greater Centre (Hunters Hall) for certain disciplines but just for Edinburgh but also for Midlothian not mountain biking. Council. activity amongst its residents. • As a new focus sport, cycling is earmarked for further developmental support. Events • Lothianburn has already hosted a mountain bike Edinburgh has a world class natural event that generated considerable interest • Better use of Edinburgh’s natural outdoor spaces environment which lends itself to the staging of amongst the mountain biking community. It was Rare Managementoutdoor sporting Ltd, 3 Coalhill, events. The Shore, Edinburgh, EH6 6RH T. 0131 555 3820 F.the 0131 venue 553 7488for the E. Red [email protected] Bull Fox Hunt, an event • Improved use of quality sports facilities, including those of The growth of interest in cycling is 21 for female riders only, who raced against considerable and the City wishes to host more multiple World , Rachel Atherton. The schools cycling events. In particular, the Pentland Hills course descended from the top of Allermuir to could provide a spectacular venue for YES the old Lothianburn Golf Clubhouse. • Sustained participation with a focus on tackling inequalities mountain bike events. • Once the trails are developed there will be a programme of club, school, regional and • Better clubs and community-led initiatives national events on a regular basis. • There is the potential for future major events • Increased visibility for physical activity and sport in Edin- such as British XCO Championships. With specific investment, a course of the highest burgh international standard could be developed. Raising Awareness & Communication • Lothianburn will be a showcase for physical As the capital city, it is important that activity in the outdoors but on the doorstep of Edinburgh’s contribution to sport in Scotland is the city. visible and that the continuing value of • It will attract interest and profile due to its physical activity and sport to the health, well YES location and activities and there will be being and quality of life of Edinburgh’s people, marketing and PR benefit from its events. and to the economy of the city, is highlighted. • The main focus of Lothianburn will be an access point to cycling, mountain biking and other outdoor activities.

Rare Management Ltd, 3 Coalhill, The Shore, Edinburgh, EH6 6RH T. 0131 555 3820 F. 0131 553 7488 E. [email protected] 22 Lothianburn Adventure Centre

Comments from local riders.

I’m delighted to hear about the possibility of a great trail centre this close to Edinburgh! With the correct development and key individuals working on the process then it can only be a success.

These trails would get a lot of use. All of my friends and everybody I know would love some trails as we are running out of local trails and have to travel far to get some nice trails.

We have kids who would love using trails in the Pentlands.

I think if a good trail centre was built near Edinburgh it would be mobbed all year round. Glentress is great but it is just too far to get to in the evening after most of the year before it gets dark. BUILD IT :)

It would be fantastic to see trails developed at Swanston as we live in Fairmilehead. There are loads of keen mountain bikers living in the area so would be well used.

The Pentlands represent a magnificent venue for cycling. The fact that mountain bikers like myself are already using them when there are no facili- ties or dedicated trails proves that the demand is there. Any system of trails set up for bikers of different levels would be superb... And it would ideally encourage riders to explore and enjoy the wider hills too.

Please Please Please Please make this happen! If the new trails could link up with the existing natural trails that’d be a bonus.

It would be great to have somewhere in the Pentlands to ride in wet weather as most of the trails get very soft/muddy during winter months and can’t be passed on a bike very easily.

Particularly interested in what could be offered for young riders (5-15) as I think you will struggle to build something that really challenges / interests experienced riders

It would be fantastic to have a purpose built place close to home. Although we are happy travelling to the borders it would be nice to have another option.

Although already experienced, we often take newbies to the Pentlands or Glentress. Pentlands are preferred but it doesn’t give them any intro to ded- icated trail riding, or somewhere to practice skills etc. while close to cafe/toilets. Would be great to have some more dedicated easy trails nearby that we could combine with XC across the Pentlands. I’m sure we’d also do any red trails ourselves as part of evening rides to add to the variety.

Hope it goes ahead, be nice to see something local.

Would be good to see trails and facilities suitable for small children/families as well as more technical trails that link to wider natural Pentland trails.

A maintained trail network with technical challenges (including some jumps, drops, technical features etc.) would be fantastic! If they had enough variety and challenge I’d ride them most weekends and at least once a week in the evenings during the summer months.

A facility within the bypass would be fantastic as I have no car, and few friends who cycle.

Somewhere to take kids to learn mtb skills would be great as Glentress is just too far away for the attention span of youngsters. Something accessi- ble from Edinburgh and takes an less than an hour to complete.

With kids we like variety of difficulty and ideally good ways to cycle to the trails. Weatherproofing is needed as local paths in Midlothian can be really good but can also be a mud-bath a lot of the year.

I would regularly use green & blue trails at Swanston with my small nieces & nephews.

Been required for years!

Basically, yes I ride the Pentlands, I do so because they’re close. I’d like to ride there more and the main limiting factor is weather-proofing and lack of single track.