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New Pilot Programme to Give Kinlochleven Pupils Hands-On Experience in Scotland’s Mountain Bike Industry

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Full Press Release

A new pilot programme launched in Spring 2026 will give pupils at Kinlochleven High School the opportunity to gain real-world experience in trail building, event delivery, and outdoor careers through a unique mountain biking initiative.

The trail building project forms part of the innovative From Trail Concept to Enduro Event programme — a Developing Young Workforce (DYW) partnership initiative led by the DYW team within the West Highland Chamber of Commerce and Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBinS), alongside Lochaber Trails Association, Forestry and Land Scotland and CRC Trails and draws on methodologies from the international DIRTT (Developing Inter-European Resources for Trail building Training) project.

The innovative programme will see seven pupils from S1 to S3 take part in a blended learning experience combining classroom sessions, online learning, and hands-on trail construction. Participants will work alongside industry professionals to understand how mountain bike trails and events progress from initial concept through to delivery.

Frazer Coupland, CEO of West Highland Chamber of Commerce, said:

This project is a fantastic example of how we can prepare young people for a growth industry while also helping them develop pride in their local area. Mountain biking and outdoor tourism are increasingly important to the West Highlands economy, and giving pupils real hands-on experience in trail building and event preparation is a brilliant way to connect education with future careers.

As part of the programme, pupils will work to upgrade and improve a trail on Cow Hill in Fort William. The trail will later feature as the closing stage of the Scottish Enduro Series and Scottish Enduro Championships in September 2026, supporting plans for an exciting town-centre start and finish for the event.

Graeme McLean, Head of DMBinS, said:

It has been fantastic to bring this project together with young people, the school, and the local Trails Association, all with the help and support of the land manager, Forestry and Land Scotland.

Seeing pupils out onsite, learning practical skills and contributing directly to a trail that will be ridden during the Scottish Enduro Series, is exactly the type of inspiring experience we want to create through Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland. We hope this is the beginning of even more opportunities for young people to engage with trail building, events, and careers within Scotland’s growing mountain bike sector.

The programme aims to inspire young people to explore careers within Scotland’s growing mountain bike, outdoor recreation, and tourism sectors while developing practical skills in communication, teamwork, problem solving, project management, trail sustainability, and event operations.

Participants will also have the opportunity to connect with industry professionals and organisations helping shape Scotland’s outdoor economy.

Mark Clark, chair of Lochaber Trails Association and lead deliverer of the practical aspects of the programme, said:

Lochaber Trails Association was delighted to help deliver the project and support the pupils throughout the practical trail building week. Community trail groups play a huge role in maintaining and developing trails across Scotland, and it has been brilliant to introduce the young people to the skills, teamwork, and volunteering.

The initial works on the trail have started, with students working directly on-site alongside the Lochaber Trails Association and industry professionals.

The project partners also hope the pilot could provide the foundations within the school for future delivery of the National 5 level “Customised Award: Mountain Biking,” potentially creating a pathway into careers across trail maintenance, coaching, leadership, bike mechanics, and outdoor event management.

The programme will be evaluated through participant feedback, partner reviews, and Developing the Young Workforce outcome measures, with the long-term ambition of rolling out similar initiatives across other Scottish mountain biking regions.

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