Mountain biking in Tweeddale

Innerleithen resident, Stewart Wilson, explores how mountain biking first came to Tweeddale in the early 1980s, and the people who helped it grow into the biggest driver of visitors to the South of Scotland. It is very much a social history – a story of industry and local pioneers. Stewart is not a mountain biker himself, but is well known locally as a student of the area’s history.  He was invited to investigate the origins of the sport & culture here and to deliver a talk to coincide with the Enduro World Series event in Innerleithen in 2022.  It is this “outsider’s eye” that Stewart brought to the project, a perspective rooted in curiosity, local knowledge and an interest in how people shape place.  He is pleased to share the story now with the Tweeddale Society.

Then, looking forward, Ed Shoote will talk about the origins and background of how the various partners involved came together to deliver the new Caerlee Mill development that will be support Bike Innovation services and the wider bike industry to grow around Innerleithen. He will discuss the earlier challenges encountered with the site during 2023/24, through to the excitement of it being on track to open in 2027. His talk will explain how the facility builds on the great work the community has done and continues to do, to make the area world renowned. This project aims to make the Tweed Valley a leader in designing, testing and developing the products that are used on the local trails rather than solely relying on tourism for jobs and economic impact.