Scottish MTB Conference 2026 - The Programme

Arrive, grab a coffee, meet fellow delegates and explore the exhibition. Secure bike storage available courtesy of conference secure bike storage partner - Grease Monkey.

Colin Slater, Chair, Scottish Mountain Bike Consortium

Graeme McLean, Head of Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland. Reflecting on the achievements of the 2019–2025 Strategy and looking ahead to the ambitions of the new 10-year Strategy.

Hear from Scottish Government on the Strategy for Scottish Mountain Biking 2026–2036 and the opportunities ahead for the sector.

Panellists: David Evans (UK Trails Project), Stuart Chalmers (Forestry and Land Scotland), Andrew Donaldson ( Comrie Croft), Ross Adams (Cycling UK) and Ties Van Dijk (Advocacy & Strategy at Shimano Europe Group).

A look at Scotland’s trail network, sustainable trail development and the role of collaboration, investment and long-term planning in creating resilient, accessible riding environments.

Scotland already has a reputation for outstanding mountain bike trails. Looking ahead to 2036, what does success look like to you, and what do we need to do differently over the next ten years to achieve it?

This session will also see the launch of 'new guidance and support materials for everyone involved in the building and maintenance of Mountain bike trails.

Spend a bit of time talking to our event partners and networking with conference delegates and speakers

Mountain biking is more than a sport. Explore how investment, innovation and collaboration can support economic growth, community development, business and destination creation.

Featuring speakers from Aberfoyle - community-led development, North East Adventure Tourism - destination growth, and Bike Innovation Scotland - research, innovation and business growth.

Enjoy a locally sourced and produced lunch.

Enjoy a selection of films from the Fresh Cuts programme over lunch shown in the main auditorium.

Victoria Leiper, Tour de France Social Impact Programme Manager

Explore how the Grand Départ can create a lasting legacy through communities, schools, volunteers and partners – and inspire more people to ride.

The Future of Inclusive Mountain Biking

What can mountain biking learn from other adventure and sporting communities?

Hear perspectives from Paralympic sport and mountain rescue / mountaineering, exploring how adventure can build confidence, resilience, wellbeing and belonging – and what this could mean for the future of inclusive mountain biking in Scotland.

From inspiring the next generation to creating pathways into training and employment, explore how education and skills can help build a skilled, resilient and future-ready mountain bike sector.

With insight into the new Customised Award in mountain biking, international trail education and creative career pathways.

Latest findings and insights from the economic evaluation of mountain biking in Scotland.

Heading towards the end of the day, these break out sessions puts delegates at the heart of the conversation, exploring the challenges and opportunities that could shape delivery of the Strategy over the next ten years.

Sessions will cover:

How can Scotland continue delivering the Strategy in a rapidly changing world?

Making Digital Work for Your Business

The Future of Inclusive Adventure. Can Scotland become a place the world looks to for inclusive adventure?

Colin Slater and representatives from each session will relay findings to the conference

Tracy Moseley - Looking Ahead to the Next Ten YearsTen years ago, Tracy Moseley took to the stage at the Scottish Mountain Bike Conference in Aviemore. Now, a decade later, she returns to help close the 2026 conference and look ahead to the next ten years of mountain biking in Scotland.Reflecting on her career and the changes she has witnessed across the sport over the past decade, Tracy will share her perspective on where mountain biking is heading, the opportunities ahead and what the next ten years could hold, both for her and for the wider sport.

Colin Slater will round of the Conference by looking back over the day and towards the next decade of Scottish Mountain biking.