KENNY MacDONALD
Cycle tourism firms in Dumfries and Galloway are being boosted by a £300,000 cash bonanza.
And the Cycling Fund aims to help put the South of Scotland on track to become a leading cycling destination.
A total of 30 tourism businesses, social enterprises and community groups have been supported.
The £300,000 South of Scotland Cycling Infrastructure Fund provided capital grants of £3,000 to £25,000 to organisations who deal with visitors to invest in their cycling facilities.
One business boosted by Cycling Fund support is Ernespie Farm at Castle Douglas.
It is run by the McMiken family and boasts of offers something for all ages including: a farmhouse kitchen, garden centre, gift shop and various soft play facilities.
The farm received support from the Cycling Infrastructure Fund to create a repair station, with washing facilities and lockers for the increasing number of cyclists visiting Ernespie.
David McMiken, of Ernespie Farm, said: “We have seen a gradual rise in visitors arriving on bike, which we believe is down to the increased popularity of cycling post-COVID, as well as the launch of the Kirkpatrick C2C.
“I see the cycling market as a growth opportunity in Dumfries and Galloway and hence my application to the Cycling Infrastructure Fund to improve our facilities.”
The fund will also revamp facilities for visiting cyclists taking part in the Kirkpatrick C2C, South of Scotland’s Coast to Coast cycling route, or riding the 7Stanes trail centres.
Investments included bike storage, bike racks, power charging sockets for cycle tourers, bike locks, bike washes, drying equipment and repair stations amongst others.
The fund was offered by South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE), and is supported by the South of Scotland Cycling Partnership.
The Partnership – made up of local and national organisations representing thousands of people across the region – has a 10-year strategy in place, designed to capitalise on the South of Scotland hosting the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships and UCI Bike Region Label title to create boost economic, social and environmental benefits for local people.
Russel Griggs OBE, Chair of SOSE, said: “The aim of the South of Scotland Cycling Partnership is to create one of the leading cycling destinations in the world.
“Through the Cycling Infrastructure Fund, we are supporting this aim, by helping 30 local tourism organisations to adapt their business models to capitalise on the increasing number of cycling visitors from the Kirkpatrick C2C and 7stanes trail centres.”
Business Minister Richard Lochhead said: “This is a welcome initiative, supporting the development of infrastructure to help cycling play a greater role in the local economy and giving a valuable boost to local businesses.
“The fund is clearly already having a positive impact on a range of organisations.
“Scotland’s tourism sector is an encouraging example of how businesses can lean into innovation, driving local environmental benefits, all while creating jobs and boosting the economy.”
Gordon Smith, destination development director at VisitScotland, said: “Cycling is a popular part of the visitor experience for the South of Scotland and plays an important role in the regional responsible tourism strategy.
“We know from our own research that it is our stunning landscapes and access to outdoor activities that continue to drive visitors to the region.
“The fund will not only improve facilities but encourage the spread of visitors across the region, which will in turn spread the benefits of tourism far and wide.
“It is by working with partners, businesses, and community groups, that we can raise the profile of South of Scotland as a visitor and events destination on the global stage and support the sustainable growth of tourism.”
The 7Stanes trail centres including some of the best mountain biking in the country and centres include: Glentrool, Kirroughtree, Dalbeattie, Mabie and Ae.