A near-decade long project, driven by the Arran High School MTB club, has led to the creation of the first purpose-built MTB trails on the island, which will provide a home for the club, and the community, for many years to come.
A decade long story began with the school’s inaugural trip to Nevis Range in 2015, where members of the club expressed a desire to establish their own MTB facilities back home on the island. Upon returning to Arran, the journey towards the Dyemill Bike Park began.
While the responsibility for the project as shifted hands numerous times in the inbetween years, the original ambition and vision remained steadfast. The project simply wouldn’t have happened without the leadership of Robert Mcneice and Steve Garraway, two local heroes who can now finally get to spend more time on their bikes and enjoy their efforts!
In 2022, the club successfully finalised a Community Asset Transfer, acquiring 5.71 hectares of diverse woodland from Forestry and Land Scotland. Subsequently, the club commenced efforts to secure funding from various partners, including the sportscotland Cycling Facilities Fund, which made an award of £220k in early 2023. The information boards at the site display nearly 20 logos, demonstrating the huge efforts the club made to complete their funding profile, with local fundraising also playing a key role in making the project happen. Construction commenced in mid 2023, with CRC developing the trails and Velosolutions building the Pump Track. The local community rallied together to keep costs low by sourcing as much material on the island as possible, and working together to build a stunning central hub building.
Commenting on the opening of the Dyemill Bike Park, Scottish Cycling’s Head of Clubs and Events, Fraser Johnston, said:
“Arran High School MTB Club were one of the first clubs I met when I joined Scottish Cycling six years ago. I found their passion and vision infectious and have been determined to do all I could to enable them further on their mission to foster a love of cycling in the lives of their students. The Bike Park provides the club with a substantial home, but moreover will provide an exciting local facility for islanders to be proud of, and inspire future generations to develop their cycling skills”.
So what will you find when you visit Dyemill Bike Park?
Despite its compact site, the bike park has been well planned to make the most of the natural undulation and the environment that surrounds it.
A steady blue climb has two junctions on it, one which leads you into a blue trail called ‘Jumanji’, which descends down through the woods, with a number of rock steps, jumps and berms. Despite its grading, the gradients mean you need to manage your speed otherwise you can easily overshoot some of the corners. The second junction for ‘three forty five’ (named so because this is when the school bell goes!) launches you into a steep, fast and flowing red trail that has a number of tricky rock gardens that will prove a challenge for members of the club for many years to come! There’s also a short red jump line named ‘Szechuan’ part way down the red trail, for that extra thrill!
The pump track, which will be illuminated under floodlights powered by solar panels on the roof of the hub building, incorporates the first split line section for a pump track in Scotland, which encourages progression. Adjacent to the pump track, is the ‘quarry’, an introductory bike trials area, again using rock sourced on the island.
The central bike hub building has been meticulously planned, unsurprising given the two main teachers involved in the project teach design and technology. The building includes a covered space with several tables, great for group shelter and outdoor learning. An indoor secure bike store and maintenance space is complimented by an outdoor work stand, pump and fresh water tap (featuring filtered water from an underground spring!). Should nature call, the hub building also has a standalone composting toilet.
Inspired to visit Arran? You’ll find the Dyemill Bike Park just outside Lamlash, 4 miles from Brodick, with limited parking nearby, however there is plenty of parking available in Lamlash itself. Failing that, leave the car in Ardrossan/Troon and enjoy the ride over the hill from Brodick!