Work starts on Whitelee mountain bike trails

Work is underway to construct a network of bespoke mountain biking trails set within the UK's largest on-shore windfarm at Whitelee near Eaglesham.

The new development, which lies just 10 miles south of Glasgow, will add to the network of tracks across the 215 turbine Whitelee windfarm already popular with cyclists. This exciting development has been designed by renowned Bristol based trail specialists Architrail who were responsible for Beijing Olympics and Glasgow Commonwealth mountain bike courses

Leading the project is East Renfrewshire Council on behalf of Whitelee Access Project partners. Additional funding support was provided from East Renfrewshire's LEADER 2009-2012 programme. Set within a former borrow pit created during construction of the Whitelee windfarm, the new course is located just 500m from the popular Whitelee Visitor Centre. Once up and running the facilities will suit a wide range of users, from beginners to more experienced riders. The addition of a pump track and skills area will promote skill development amongst younger or less experienced riders. A large picnic and viewing area, with wet weather shelters will also be provided for visitors to the facility.

Work, which started in late January, is due to for completion in early May 2014. East Renfrewshire Council's environment convener Councillor Vincent Waters said: "I am delighted the contractors are now on site. This is a very exciting addition to Whitelee Windfarms's facilities and will attract mountain bike enthusiasts, from not just Glasgow and the west of Scotland, but from all over the country."

"I have been told that some cyclists travel up to three hours each way to similar mountain bike facilities and having this unique location within the country's biggest on shore windfarm, is bound to lure people to Whitelee."