Sports facilities across Scotland are to receive new investment of £781,904, including £67,000 for mountain biking at Fort William where the world championships are being held this week for the seventh successive year.

The existing downhill track, among the only specialist mountain bike tracks in Britain, is to be complemented by a 2.8km intermediate track more suited to recreational riders.

"This substantial investment in Scottish sport will help support the development of quality

facilities, at all levels, throughout the country.

"Projects from Shetland to Dumfries will benefit from a share of almost £800,000 from sportscotland's Building for Sport programme. This will increase opportunities for people in these areas, and neighbouring communities, to access good local facilities which will help them improve their health and wellbeing by staying active."

Anna Trafford, Project Director, Outdoor Capital of the UK Ltd, said: "The award of the grant is great news and will enable recreational cyclists to take their riding to the next level, and to ride a downhill course at the home of the World Cup and World Championships.

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"Facilities like this are vital if Scotland is to keep on producing champions like Ruraidh Cunningham (Junior Downhill World Champion). The community in Lochaber has been instrumental in putting this application together and our thanks go to Nevis Range, our local cycling club - the West Highland Wheelers, the Forestry Commission and Highlands and Islands Enterprise for their hard work in making this application successful. We can't wait until it's built so we can get out and have a go!"

The £781,904 investment, of which £199,003 is sportscotland Lottery funding, will benefit a further seven sports projects including £250,000 to Angus Council to provide a new synthetic pitch at Webster's High School/Community Sports Centre in Kirriemuir, £200,000 to Falkirk Rugby Football Club to provide two new additional full-size rugby pitches and new synthetic grass training area and £140,835 to Dumfries Rugby Club to develop and extend their changing facilities.

Louise Martin CBE, Chair of sportscotland, said: "I am delighted to see sportscotland investing £781,904 from the Building for Sport programme in such an exciting range of projects. This demonstrates our commitment to providing communities with quality, accessible facilities that meet local priorities, which is vital if sport is to thrive in Scotland.

"The investment in the new intermediate mountain bike track at Nevis Range will undoubtedly attract an increased number of mountain bikers of all ages to the area reinforcing Fort William and Lochaber as a hub for outdoor sports in Scotland."

(GK/JM)