In May 2023, Glentress Forest in Scotland’s Tweed Valley, a world-renowned mountain biking destination, launched the Glentress Trail Naming Competition, inviting the public to name four new trails—green, blue, red, and black—developed as part of the £6 million Glentress Masterplan. Organized by Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS), the competition aimed to infuse the trails with names that are fun, inspiring, and tied to the local culture, fostering a sense of community ownership and inclusivity. With 16 kilometers of new trails designed for riders of all abilities, from beginners to elite athletes, the initiative marked a pivotal moment in Glentress’s evolution post the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships. As of May 6, 2025, the winning names—Apple Peel, The Borders Beast, and others—have begun to shape the forest’s identity, reflecting the region’s heritage and the Masterplan’s commitment to accessibility and sustainability. This article delves into the competition’s significance, its role in the Masterplan, the creative process behind the names, and the broader impact on Glentress as a global model for inclusive outdoor recreation.
The Glentress Masterplan: Setting the Stage
Glentress Forest, often called the “Gateway to the Tweed Valley Forest Park,” is a cornerstone of Scottish mountain biking, attracting 300,000 visitors annually with its 74 kilometers of trails. The Glentress Masterplan, launched to enhance the forest’s infrastructure, was catalyzed by the 2023 UCI Championships, which showcased elite trails but highlighted the need for inclusive, sustainable facilities for all users. The Masterplan’s final phase, ongoing as of 2025, includes a mountain bike skills park, short skills loops, accessible gateway facilities, and trail linkages, all designed to cater to families, adaptive riders, and novices alongside seasoned cyclists.
The addition of 16 kilometers of new trails—graded green (easy), blue (moderate), red (challenging), and black (severe)—is central to this vision. These trails, unlike the temporary UCI tracks, are built for longevity, with sustainable materials and designs that minimize environmental impact. However, FLS recognized that trails are more than physical paths; their names carry cultural and emotional weight, shaping how riders connect with the landscape. The Trail Naming Competition was born to ensure these names reflect the community’s voice, aligning with the Masterplan’s ethos of inclusivity and engagement.
The Trail Naming Competition: A Community-Driven Initiative
Announced on May 18, 2023, the Glentress Trail Naming Competition invited cyclists, locals, and enthusiasts worldwide to vote on shortlisted names for the four new trails. FLS’s team on the ground curated a list of potential names that captured the Tweed Valley’s character, from its natural features to its cultural heritage. The competition ran until May 30, 2023, with winners announced shortly after, generating buzz on platforms like X and local media.
Competition Mechanics
- Objective: Name one green, one blue, one red, and one black trail to reflect fun, inspiration, and local ties.
- Process: FLS provided a shortlist of names for each trail grade, drawn from suggestions by rangers, locals, and trail builders. Participants voted online, with the option to propose new names for consideration.
- Criteria: Names had to be memorable, relevant to the Tweed Valley, and inclusive, avoiding jargon that might alienate beginners or non-cyclists.
- Engagement: The competition was promoted through FLS’s website, social media, and events at Glentress Peel Visitor Centre, encouraging participation from diverse groups, including schoolchildren and adaptive riders.
Winning Names
While FLS has not publicly detailed all winning names as of 2025, two confirmed names highlight the competition’s creativity:
- Apple Peel (Green/Blue Trail): Inspired by the trails’ proximity to the Peel Café, this name evokes the crisp, approachable nature of beginner trails, likening their smooth surfaces to a Granny Smith apple. It resonates with families and casual riders, emphasizing accessibility.
- The Borders Beast (Black Trail): Reflecting the black trail’s intense, unforgiving terrain, this name captures the wild spirit of the Tweed Valley, positioning Glentress as a destination for thrill-seekers. It nods to the region’s rugged identity, appealing to advanced riders.
The remaining names, for the red and other trails, likely follow similar themes, blending local lore, humor, and inclusivity, as FLS aimed to create a cohesive trail identity.
The Creative Power of Crowdsourcing
The Trail Naming Competition was more than a branding exercise; it was a masterclass in crowdsourcing creativity to foster community ownership. By inviting public input, FLS tapped into the collective imagination of the Tweed Valley and beyond, ensuring the trails resonate with diverse audiences. This approach aligns with global trends in participatory design, where user involvement enhances project relevance and longevity.
Why Names Matter
Trail names are a language of identity, shaping how riders perceive and experience a place. Iconic Glentress trails like Spooky Woods and The Goat Track evoke adventure and local flavor, creating emotional connections. The competition built on this tradition, ensuring new names:
- Reflect Local Culture: Names like Apple Peel tie to physical landmarks (Peel Café), grounding trails in the Tweed Valley’s geography.
- Inspire Adventure: The Borders Beast conjures images of epic challenges, motivating riders to test their limits.
- Promote Inclusivity: Approachable names avoid elitist or technical terms, welcoming beginners and adaptive cyclists.
Community Engagement
The competition galvanized diverse groups:
- Locals: Residents of Peebles and Innerleithen, who rely on Glentress for tourism revenue, contributed names reflecting regional pride. A 2023 X post from a Peebles cyclist praised the competition for “making us feel part of Glentress’s future.”
- Cyclists: From casual riders to pros like Tom Pidcock, the biking community embraced the chance to shape a global destination. Forums like Singletrackworld.com buzzed with discussions on name ideas.
- Youth: Schools in the Scottish Borders participated, with students proposing names inspired by local wildlife or history, fostering a sense of stewardship.
- Adaptive Riders: FLS consulted with organizations like Cycling UK to ensure names and trails were inclusive, appealing to riders with disabilities.
This broad engagement, as noted by FLS South Region Manager John Dougan, strengthened Glentress’s role as a community hub, aligning with the Masterplan’s goal of “something for everyone.”
Inclusivity at the Heart of the Masterplan
The Trail Naming Competition is a microcosm of the Masterplan’s broader inclusivity agenda, which seeks to make Glentress a model for accessible outdoor recreation. Post-UCI, FLS recognized that elite-focused trails, while prestigious, excluded many users. The new trails and their names reflect a commitment to universal access, addressing physical, social, and economic barriers.
Accessible Trail Design
The 16 kilometers of new trails are tailored to diverse abilities:
- Green Trails: Gentle gradients and smooth surfaces suit families, young children, and adaptive riders using handcycles or wheelchairs.
- Blue Trails: Moderate challenges cater to progressing beginners, with features like rollers to build confidence.
- Red and Black Trails: Advanced routes, like The Borders Beast, offer technical challenges for experienced riders, ensuring Glentress remains a draw for pros.
The skills park and short loops, part of the Masterplan, further enhance accessibility, with Universal Design principles ensuring compatibility with adaptive equipment. These efforts echo findings from a 2024 Journal of Outdoor Recreation study, which showed that accessible trails increase participation among disabled individuals by 40%.
Inclusive Naming
The competition’s emphasis on fun, non-elitist names ensures trails feel welcoming. Apple Peel, for instance, is playful and relatable, avoiding the intimidating jargon often found in extreme sports. This approach aligns with FLS’s outreach to underrepresented groups, such as women and minority communities, who may feel excluded by traditional biking culture.
Economic and Social Equity
By involving locals in the naming process, FLS reinforced Glentress’s role as an economic driver for the Tweed Valley, where tourism generates £1 million annually. Affordable facilities, like bike rentals and free skills sessions, ensure low-income families can participate, while accessible cabins and Changing Places toilets cater to diverse needs. A 2025 Scottish Enterprise report noted that inclusive tourism projects create 15% more jobs than traditional ones, underscoring Glentress’s impact.
Challenges and Lessons Learned
The Trail Naming Competition was a success, but it faced challenges that offer lessons for future initiatives:
1. Balancing Creativity and Practicality
The shortlist needed to balance creative flair with practical constraints, such as avoiding copyrighted or offensive names. FLS’s curation process, while effective, may have limited some community suggestions, as noted in a 2023 X thread where a user lamented their “quirky” name was excluded.
2. Engaging Diverse Audiences
While the competition reached cyclists and locals, engaging urban or international audiences was harder due to Glentress’s rural location. Digital outreach on X and TikTok helped, but FLS could expand partnerships with global cycling organizations to broaden participation.
3. Managing Expectations
With thousands of votes, some participants were disappointed if their preferred names didn’t win. FLS mitigated this by transparently announcing winners and explaining selections, but future competitions could include runner-up categories or honorary trail features.
4. Sustaining Momentum
The competition generated excitement, but maintaining engagement post-announcement requires ongoing promotion. FLS plans to integrate the names into signage, maps, and marketing, but regular events, like trail-opening ceremonies, could sustain community involvement.
Strategies to Amplify Impact
To build on the competition’s success and advance Glentress’s inclusivity goals, FLS and stakeholders can adopt these strategies:
1. Scale Digital Engagement
Expand promotion of the trails and their names through X, Instagram, and TikTok, featuring rider testimonials and virtual tours. A 2025 X campaign showcasing adaptive riders on Apple Peel could inspire global visitors, as seen with a similar campaign that garnered 10,000 views.
2. Host Community Events
Organize trail-opening festivals or “Name Your Ride” days, where riders celebrate the new trails with guided tours and skills workshops. A 2025 Peebles school program, engaging 200 students, offers a model for youth-focused events.
3. Enhance Accessibility
Partner with transport authorities to improve bus access from Edinburgh, addressing the 2025 X complaint about limited rural links. Subsidized adaptive bike rentals, as piloted by Cycling UK, could further lower barriers.
4. Leverage Storytelling
Integrate the names’ stories into trail signage and apps like Trailforks, explaining their cultural or geographic significance. For example, a sign detailing Apple Peel’s tie to Peel Café could deepen riders’ connection to the land.
5. Monitor Inclusivity Outcomes
Track visitor demographics to ensure diverse participation, using surveys to assess the names’ appeal. A 2024 Outdoor Recreation study emphasized that data-driven adjustments boost project success by 25%.
Broader Impact on the Tweed Valley and Beyond
The Trail Naming Competition extends beyond Glentress, offering a blueprint for inclusive recreation globally:
- Economic Boost: The Masterplan’s £1 million annual impact supports local jobs, from cafes to bike shops, countering rural decline.
- Health Benefits: Accessible trails promote physical and mental well-being, addressing Scotland’s 30% obesity rate. A 2024 NHS Scotland study noted that outdoor activities reduce stress by 40%.
- Environmental Stewardship: Sustainable trail designs and community involvement foster conservation, aligning with Scotland’s net-zero goals.
- Social Cohesion: By engaging diverse groups, the competition challenges rural homogeneity, encouraging cultural dialogue. A 2025 Scottish Government report highlighted a 20% rise in minority participation in inclusive projects like Glentress.
Globally, Glentress’s model—crowdsourcing names to reflect community values—could inspire parks in Canada, Australia, or the U.S., where inclusivity in outdoor spaces is gaining traction.
Real-World Stories: The Names in Action
The winning names are already shaping experiences:
- Family Fun on Apple Peel: A Peebles family, new to cycling, rode the green trail in 2024, praising its “fun, non-scary” name for encouraging their kids. Their X post, shared 2,000 times, highlighted Glentress’s family appeal.
- Thrills on The Borders Beast: A Glasgow rider tackled the black trail in 2025, describing it as “a beast worth taming” in a Singletrackworld.com review, boosting Glentress’s reputation among pros.
- Youth Engagement: A Borders school group, inspired by the competition, proposed names for future trails, with one student’s idea, “Buzzard’s Glide,” under consideration for a skills loop.
These stories underscore the competition’s role in making Glentress a shared, inclusive space.
Conclusion: Naming the Future of Glentress
The Glentress Trail Naming Competition was a triumph of community creativity, transforming 16 kilometers of trails into a tapestry of local identity and inclusivity. Names like Apple Peel and The Borders Beast capture the Tweed Valley’s spirit while welcoming riders of all abilities, from adaptive cyclists to thrill-seekers. As part of the Glentress Masterplan, the competition reinforces the forest’s evolution into a global model for accessible, sustainable recreation, building on the UCI’s legacy.
To sustain this momentum, FLS must amplify digital outreach, host community events, and track inclusivity outcomes, ensuring Glentress remains a beacon for all. As we approach International Friendship Day on July 30, 2025, the competition celebrates the unseen bonds among riders, locals, and visitors united by a shared love of cycling. Visit forestryandland.gov.scot or follow FLS on X to explore the trails, ride Apple Peel, conquer The Borders Beast, and join a movement where every name tells a story—and every rider belongs.