sportscotland has announced a £781,904 investment in sports facilities across Scotland including £67,000 towards a new 2.8km intermediate downhill mountain biking track at Nevis Range in Fort William.

“The current track has an enviable reputation, but often proves too difficult for the majority of keen mountain bikers,” sportscotland said in a statement. “The new track will be more suited to recreational mountain bikers and those wishing to develop their skills for competition downhill biking, before progressing onto the more advanced track.”

Like the other tracks at Fort William, the new track will be accessible by ski lift.

The £781,904 investment, part of the sportscotland Building for Sport Programme, includes £199,003 in sportscotland Lottery funding, and will also go towards a further seven sports projects in South Lanarkshire, Kirriemuir, Falkirk, Bridge of Weir, Shetland, Dumfries and Gullane.

Commenting on the investment in Nevis Range, Anna Trafford, project director of Outdoor Capital of the UK said: “The award of this grant is great news and will enable recreational cyclists to take their riding to the next level, and to ride a downhill course at the home of the World Cup and World Championships. Facilities like these are vital if Scotland is going to keep on producing champions like junior downhill world champion Ruraidh Cunningham.”

“The investment in the new intermediate mountain biking track at Nevis Range will undoubtedly attract an increased number of mountain bikers of all ages to the area, reinforcing Fort William and Lochaber as a hub for outdoor sports in Scotland,” said sportscotland chair Louise Martin.

IMAGE: Steve Lindridge, Ideal Images, www.idealimages.co.uk