Revitalising the Round the Inner Forth Cycle Route
Objective 3
Status In Progress
The Inner Forth has a wealth of paths for walkers and cyclists, which can be used to link heritage assets and explore the four local authority areas more widely.
The Round the Inner Forth cycle route is the section of the National Cycle Network Route (NCN) 76 that follows the shores of the Inner Forth). It links transport hubs to lesser-known heritage attractions, and has the potential to reduce pressure at honeypot tourism sites and spread the economic benefits of tourism wider in the Inner Forth.
This activity focuses on revitalising the cycle route to help establish the Inner Forth as a prime, car-free tourism destination.
The Climate FORTH team worked closely with Sustrans Scotland to ‘rebrand’ the circular Round the Inner Forth cycle route:
In 2023, local tourism and cycle industry representatives were invited to co-create a new and recognisable brand identity for the route, through a series of co-design workshops ran by Braw Talent. The new, colourful logo is being added onto the route’s signposts. Look out for it across the landscape!
The team engaged Mike Dennison, an experienced cycle consultant, to audit the cycle route, create detailed itinerary descriptions and identify six new shorter cycle day trips linked to the main 70-mile Round the Inner Forth cycle route. This Way up Media then created stunning films and still photos to help us promote the route and day trips. There is a day trip and level of fitness suited to all, so why not give one of our day trips a go or, if you're feeling ambitious, set yourself a few days to do the entire route?
More Round the Inner Forth (main route and shorter day trips) films can be accessed on our YouTube channel.
The Round the Inner Forth cycle route and day trips are also featured on their very own VisitScotland webpage, where PDF route cards and GPX coordinates can be downloaded. The route cards can also be downloaded from our Resources Library (links below).
Explore Blackness Castle and Hopetoun House and enjoy unrivalled views of the spectacular Forth Bridges on this circular ride from Dalmeny Railway Station.
Explore the Kelpies and follow the historic Forth & Clyde Canal through Falkirk’s industrial past, to the dramatic Falkirk Wheel.
COMING SOON:
As well as this, we will showcase car-free experiences available at the destination, by offering a series of downloadable walking and cycling itineraries of various lengths so everyone can participate and enjoy!
To encourage people to leave their cars at home when visiting heritage sites, we will install a network of bike parking racks and bike maintenance stations to allow visitors to park their bikes, explore the sites, and to carry quick repairs during their visit. More heritage signage will be installed to indicate safe walking and cycling access routes between the Round the Inner Forth route, lesser-known heritage space and sites and transport hubs.
There's something for everyone and every cycling ability when you go 'Round the Inner Forth'
Take in the spectacular Forth Bridges
Views for miles! Make sure you stop to take them in as you go
Get Involved
If you work for a tourism/hospitality business or organisation, and would like access to printed copies of the day trip route cards to share with visitors, don’t hesitate to email the team: info@innerforthlandscape.co.uk.
The videos of the Round the Inner Forth and associated day trips are available on Youtube for businesses/organisations to use to promote cycling in the Inner Forth on their website and socials.
Project Location
Funded by
Crown Estate funding via Fife Council
Funding from the Scottish Government through Sustrans Scotland’s Network Engagement programme.
