Plans for a new MTB centre in Strathmashie Forest, Laggan, Inverness-shire have come a step closer with the approval of the plans by the Cairngorms National Park Board. The plans, submitted by Forestry Commission Scotland and the Laggan Forest Trust, include 14km of advanced, intermediate and beginner-friendly trails.

The next step is to get the trails built. FC Scotland District Manager David Jardine said, “We’re inviting tenders for the contract to build the trails and hope to award the contract in March.” If all goes according to plan the new trails will be open in the summer.

There’re a couple of other planning hurdles to cross, though – the Commission and Trust have applied for planning permission for all those handy trail accoutrements like a car park, bike hire and repair centre and of course the all-important café and showers.