Community's input wanted for Cluny Hill, Forres bike skills area proposals

A GROUP of mountain bikers is looking for support for new trails and jumps in a designated area at Cluny Hill.

Darren Gemmell, Conan Stephenson and John Young are inviting comment on Facebook group page ‘Cluny Bikes Skills Area’, which details proposals of an alternative to a site to be bulldozed by Moray Council due to safety issues following consultation with them.

Darren explained there have long been tracks offering quick, fun rides at Cluny Hill but there has always been a question of permission and ownership, so the group is now drafting a proposal for construction and maintenance of modern facilities for the local authority planning department to consider.

He said: “Conan, John and I have been attending meetings with council representatives for their feedback, which has been very positive. They have been a great help and guidance – the next step is to try and build a bigger support team.”

He added: “Our initial proposal was to secure a section of Cluny out of the way of the public, where bikers could build short, fun trails and jumps that cater for more advanced riders.

“However, we’re now discussing plans to also build beginner/skill building lines to encourage progression for new riders alongside advanced sections in the same area. This would create a designated zone for all ages and skill levels. The area in discussion is perfect for this idea and would take the majority of bike traffic off the main hill at Cluny.”

Darren (32) appreciates the existing trails and jumps section at Sanquhar woods opened in 2008 but he is one of a number of local cyclists who have been cycling at Cluny Hill for decades.

He said: “Sanquhar is great for a family pedal and it’s a good practice set-up for beginners ... but it just doesn’t cut it for experienced riders.

“I’ve been going up Cluny on some form of bike since primary school. It’s always been a go-to spot for local bikers.”

Passers-by may have noticed mountain bikers using large jumps off Clovenside Road they made during the covid lockdowns of the last year.

Darren said: “The building began from wanting something to do something during lockdown outwith walking to the shop for toilet roll once-a-day! There were already some small jumps at the back of the Steiner area so me and a few boys decided to build them up to our own style.

“The new jumps attracted some negative attention from locals which is understandable as they were pretty big.

“I was up there myself one day and on the off-chance a man from the council was there taking photos following up a complaint. Fortunately he took the time to have a chat with me. I explained that if we had a designated area where we were allowed to build and maintain some jumps then it would be a win-win for everyone. From that, I was approached by another member of the council another time I was there then the first meeting was set up.”

Forres Community Council (FCC) has been instrumental in helping move the project forward, in partnership with Forres Community Sports Hub.

FCC treasurer Graham Murdoch said: “The local authority is inviting the loons to ask for what they’d like to see in Forres. The bikers have been looking for the public’s input from the start so there is ownership of the project.”

Moray Council access manager Ian Douglas is one of the officials involved in ongoing discussions with the mountain bikers.

He said: “The council is fully behind promoting participation in sport particularly for young people and the resultant health benefits this brings.

“We will support the local community to develop facilities in Cluny woods, creating a local centre for mountain biking that will be free to use for everyone.”

Council community support officer Sylvia Jamieson added: “The project is part of the wider Cluny Hill Woodland Management Plan being prepared by Tilhill Forestry for Moray Council Open Spaces department - this was one of the priorities of the Forres 2020 Vision Planning for Real exercise identified by the community in 2017.”