Big Mountain Scotland - MTB Guide

12/10/2023

It’s time to reflect on an awesome summer season of riding!
We were pretty busy, too busy to post on social media! Lots of big smiles riding in the mountains, woods, and gravel routes in the Cairngorms and further afield!

07/08/2023

Our next Trail Academy session is this Saturday the 12th at
We’ll help the on the new reroute trail in Black Woods.

If you are aged 12-18 and want to get involved in some trail building check out the link below and sign up for a session!

https://forms.gle/Kryb3YuXhU2CBitd6

13/06/2023

What is a Big Mountain Scotland anyway?

It’s a mountain bike guiding and coaching business, run by Douglas Carchrie.

I’m a level 3 British Cycling guide and level 5 Go MTB Instructor as well as holding a host of other outdoor qualifications. I’ve been riding and racing for the last 18 years, with a background in XC and Enduro racing.

When I’m not running BMS I work in conservation, teach bike maintenance, and work as a freelance bike mechanic. So if anyone can fix your bike trailside it’s probably Douglas!

19/05/2023

It’s been scorching here in the Cairngorms! There’s no better weather to take in the classic gravel/mtb route “The Burma Road”!

31/03/2023

THIS WAS AN APRIL FOOL. We don't offer heli biking trips.

HELI BIKING IN THE CAIRNGORMS! It’s taken 12 months of work. But we are unbelievably stoked to announce that have the first and only licence to operate heli biking tours in Scotland!

What’s cooler than an ebike? A helicopter that’s what! Our skilled pilots have spent seasons in Whistler and Switzerland so know how to operate in mountain environments!

Prices start from just £150 per person! Check out the link below to book onto one of the first trips! We’ll be taking off from mid April!
Www.bigmountainscotland.co.uk/blank

28/03/2023

Something big is brewing up at this bunch of shredders will be stoked when it’s finished. There was already chat about line choice and tricks!
If you want to learn how to hit big features like this once they are open, we’ll be running some air time sessions! Takes me back to lapping A Line in Whistler!

26/03/2023

providing the goods for a days guiding. Despite the snowy showers a team of shredders had an awesome day on some rowdy enduro trails!

14/01/2023

Our first coaching days of the year will kick off with two Find Your Flow sessions in Boat of Garten at the end of January.

Coached by the awesome these are aimed at women who want to learn the basics of trail riding.

28/11/2022

You don’t have to get into the mountains to get some good views of the Cairngorms!

25/11/2022

It’s time to reflect on a busy season. And start planning next year! Super excited to have more time to work on Big Mountain Scotland, there’s some good stuff in the pipeline!

10/10/2022

How do you navigate when you are on the trail? Map? Trailforks? Strava? What local gems might you be missing?

We know the area better than almost anyone else. Hiring a guide will show you the best of what the Cairngorms has to offer!

20/09/2022

It’s been a cracking summer of riding bikes. It’s been great to get out with the crew and ride with some really talented young riders.

A highlight was getting out west to for some gondola laps! Big smiles all round!

16/05/2022

16/05/2022

20/04/2022

Riding south of the border in the Lake District last week. Although I seem to have brought the Scottish weather with me!
Great to ride in a slightly different landscape. Taking care to navigate the local access laws, not something we really have to think about in Scotland in the same way!

08/04/2022

What’s your favourite mid ride snack? I’m a big fan of cake! Having something that you want to eat even if it means stopping in the pouring rain is always the best approach.
Carrying food that you don’t want to eat is a waste of time regardless of its nutritional value.

05/04/2022

Looking out over the hills at the top of a long descent has to be one of the best feelings while riding in the mountains!

An awesome day searching for single track that’s not too far from home!

09/02/2022

Snowy trails are something else!
Skiing is my second love after cycling. But there’s not quite enough snow to use the skis yet! So it’s still MTB time here in the Cairngorms!

06/02/2022

Cannot wait for some proper big mountain rides this summer! This was an absolutely scorching day in Torridon last year!

05/02/2022

There’s nothing like a ride to a bothy, especially if it involves some awesome singletrack!
It’s an awesome time of year to explore new places. Riding somewhere different and finding unexpected trails is always a good day out!

02/11/2021

🙌🙌🙌

Fort William Mountain Bike World Cup is BACK for 2022… That’s right, the wait is over. How hyped are you?

Early bird tickets are available to purchase from 30th November 👉 Subscribe to World Cup Updates on the website to get access to tickets and more later this month.

We're also excited to welcome our new national sponsor - Freewheel, a great on-line bike store that supports independent retailers. Freewheel are part of the Madison group, famous for the Madison Saracen Team and their top rider, 2020 World Cup Overall Champion Matt Walker.

01/11/2021

Who else got absolutely drenched at the weekend? Definitely time to review my winter riding gear!
I didn't quite make it into the mountains, although my alternative A plan (only make A plans) of riding in the woods was equally awesome!

30/10/2021

We love a good hike a bike! Slightly damp conditions a few weeks ago when I was doing the level 3 leader training. Good things to come next season all going well!

13/10/2021

Cruisy Cairngorm singletrack, what more do you want? Prime autumnal rides scoping out trails!

12/05/2021

Our workshop is now closed. Thanks to everyone whose support us over the past 8 months.
Major supply issues and the opportunity to work elsewhere in the industry meant that this week is our last.
I'll be pursing guiding and coaching over the summer. Keep your eyes open for future updates!