As it begins planning for a post-COVID recovery, Forestry and Land Scotland’s South Scotland team is beginning to think about work at Glentress. 

Included within the overarching aims of the Glentress Masterplan proposals, trail restructuring will bring about a ‘refresh’ at one of Scotland’s most popular mountain biking locations. 

Regional Manager, Sallie Bailey said;  

“Along with our colleagues across Scotland, we’re doing what we can to help the national COVID-19 effort, but at the same time we are keen to progress the goals that we set ourselves for this year.  

“In gearing up ready to hit the ground running when restrictions are eased, one of the things high on our list of ‘things to do’ is restructuring the trail network at Glentress - the first part of the Glentress Masterplan.  

“We appreciate it is frustrating for a lot of people that all of our mountain bike trails are currently closed. But with our staff currently working from home and unable to carry out regular maintenance checks, the closure is a matter of public safety.  

“When COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and we are able to check, repair and re-open the trails, we will do so, and welcome back our visitors at that point. We will also aim to get our restructuring work back on track as quickly as possible, which we think will be a fitting thank you to everyone in the mountain biking community for their cooperation and patience and help stimulate post-COVID recovery in the local area.” 

FLS partners, Pick Everard (Project Managers) and construction firm, Balfour Beatty, are working hard to re-schedule and refine the plan for pre-construction works.

It is anticipated that pre-construction work will not now happen before October and that construction work will begin in 2021.  

Notes to editors

1. Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) manages forests and land owned by Scottish Ministers in a way that supports and enables economically sustainable forestry; conserves and enhances the environment; delivers benefits for people and nature; and supports Scottish Ministers in their stewardship of Scotland's national forests and land.

2. forestryandland.gov.scot | twitter.com/ForestryLS

3. Media enquiries to Paul Munro, Media Manager, Forestry and Land Scotland Media Office 0131 370 5059 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.