Almost 500 secondary school pupils from across Scotland took to the trails at the 2025 Scottish Schools’ Mountain Bike Championships (SSMBCs), at Comrie Croft in Perthshire yesterday on Tuesday 23 September 2025 – an event that is now recognised as the biggest U18 schools MTB race in the UK.
Once again, leading Independent Day School Morrison’s Academy in Crieff was 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 surpassed the record 400 competitors from last year with more than 100 schools taking part, ranging from S1 to S6 – this equates to around 35% of all Secondary schools in Scotland. Teams came from every corner of Scotland – from Aberdeenshire to Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders – and included pupils from numerous Perthshire and Tayside schools. They competed across three categories: Junior (S1/2), Intermediate (S3/4), and Senior (S5/6) and separate races for female, male and mixed teams took place, ensuring inclusive competition for all participants.
The championships provide an invaluable platform for young mountain bikers – whether seasoned racers or newcomers – to challenge themselves and enjoy friendly rivalry. With more than 80 girls and a significant number of first-time riders registered, this year’s event championed inclusivity and grassroots development in the sport.
Andrew Donaldson, Founding Director of Comrie Croft said: “What an incredible day! 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!” Key sponsors at the 2025 event were Alpine Bikes, Tradstocks Scottish Stone and Fortan Activewear. Social enterprise The Workshop Aberfeldy designed handcrafted wooden medals.
Andrew McGarva, Rector at Morrison’s Academy, said: “It is hard to believe we’ve just wrapped up the third year of the Scottish Schools’ Mountain Bike Championships and what a way to mark it. From humble beginnings, this event has grown beyond anything we could have imagined and we are incredibly proud that it is now officially the biggest U18 schools mountain bike event in the UK.
“Watching hundreds of young riders from across Scotland take on the course with such energy, determination and sportsmanship was truly inspiring. The atmosphere was electric, and the sense of community, from the pupils and parents to teachers and volunteers, was second to none.
“The SSMBCs continue to provide a brilliant platform for young people to challenge themselves, make new friends and experience the thrill of mountain biking in a supportive, inclusive environment. Whether they were racing for the first time or returning as seasoned competitors, every participant brought something special to the day. Thank you to the many people who worked hard to make this event so special.”
Paul Newnham, Scottish Cycling’s National MTB Coach, continued: “What an exciting day of racing. It’s always fantastic to come to Comrie Croft for the Scottish Schools MTB Championships; with pupils from across the country competing for their schools on the trails.
“The inspiration of Olympian, World Cup winner and former Morrison’s Academy pupil Charlie Aldridge growing up on these trails continues to drive these pupils forward to one day competing for Scotland.”
As a Trash Free Trails Community Hub, Comrie Croft achieved a Trash Free Trials Gold Standard Event which is the highest sustainability standard. All visitors were encouraged to use water refill stations, recycle and take litter home.
