School News

Hundreds of secondary school pupils from across Scotland are preparing to take on the challenging trails at the 2025 Scottish Schools’ Mountain Bike Championships (SSMBCs), set to take place at Comrie Croft in Perthshire on Tuesday 23 September 2025.

Once again, leading Independent Day School Morrison’s Academy in Crieff is proud to collaborate with Comrie Croft and Scottish Cycling to deliver this exciting national event, which was celebrated as Event of the Year at the 2023 Scottish Cycling Awards.

Entering its third year, the SSMBCs are on course to surpass the record 400 competitors from last year with more than 70 schools already signed up, ranging from S1 to S6. Teams will come from all corners of Scotland – from Aberdeenshire to Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders – and include pupils from several Perthshire and Tayside schools. They will compete across three categories: Junior (S1/2), Intermediate (S3/4), and Senior (S5/6) and separate races for female, male and mixed teams will take place on the day, ensuring inclusive competition for all participants. Entries will close on Wednesday, 10 September.

The championships provide an invaluable platform for young mountain bikers – whether seasoned racers or newcomers – to challenge themselves and enjoy friendly rivalry. With 40 girls and a significant number of first-time riders registered, this year’s event continues to champion inclusivity and grassroots development in the sport.

Andrew Donaldson, Founding Director of Comrie Croft said: “The SSMBCs are now one of our favourite days on the calendar. The atmosphere is pretty special with oodles of enthusiasm and good natured competition. It’s infectious! I would really encourage anyone that is thinking of entering to do it – you won’t regret it.”

This year’s event proudly welcomes Tradstocks Scottish Stone as a key sponsor. Not only are they crafting the winners’ medals, but they are also creating bespoke trophies that will be treasured by the champions. Joining them is Fortan, the specialist in mountain biking apparel, which is generously donating specially designed winners’ jerseys – combining style and performance to celebrate the riders’ achievements on and off the trails.

Andrew McGarva, Rector at Morrison’s Academy, said: “I can hardly believe we’re already entering the third year of this fantastic event – it’s been incredible to watch it grow and evolve so much in such a short time. When we first decided to set up the championships, we never dreamed they would prove so successful, but it’s clear there is a real appetite for high-quality cycling events for pupils from across Scotland

“The SSMBCs offer an amazing chance for young people to challenge themselves, make new friends and feel the pure excitement of mountain biking. The feedback from last year’s participants and their families was overwhelmingly positive, which makes us even more excited to welcome a bigger and more diverse group of schools this year. Whether they’re stepping into competitive racing for the first time or are seasoned riders, the championships inspire confidence, build teamwork and foster a lifelong commitment to health, resilience and personal growth – values we actively encourage and nurture here at Morrison’s Academy.”

Paul Newnham, Scottish Cycling’s National MTB Coach, continued: “It will be fantastic to come to Comrie Croft again for the Scottish Schools MTB Championships; with pupils from across the country competing for their schools on the trails, it is looking to be an exciting day’s racing. 

“The inspiration of Olympian and World Cup winner Charlie Aldridge growing up on these trails will hopefully drive some of them forward to one day competing for Scotland.”

The SSMBCs are open to spectators. As a Trash Free Trails Community Hub, Comrie Croft aims for the event to be a Trash Free Trials Gold Standard Event which is the highest sustainability standard. All visitors are encouraged to use water refill stations, recycle and take litter home. Its on site cafe and bike repair shop will be open to participants and spectators.