Ride Scotland

07/09/2026

Day to go riding, for everyone that has messaged I’ll try get back to you later on. It’s really insane to see and hear all the stories from people that have been pushed down and can’t speak up while trying to survive.

This is not a sign of people interested in community - Cairngorms National Park - I’m always here 🤚 I await a response

I see you have already started to push the positive Spin posts 🤣

First of all just because something has a community tag line doesn’t mean it is for the community.

It seems mainly this is so directors of a charity or a CIC can suck as much out of funding pot in the name of “management” before a few small crumbs are left to deliver some project that fizzles away or changes to the next fund.

This is so hard to speak out against due to the buzz words and being labelled discriminatory against the system. However why is it not labelled discriminatory to try and destroy everything I have worked hard for?

I don’t come from this world of endless funding but after peeling back the curtain, maybe it’s time to put out the information and let the people decide 🤷‍♂️

06/09/2026

Honestly the messages and comments have been so heartwarming but also sad to see and hear so many stories from others who have been affected.

Maybe CNPA should think about their impact and consult long standing community members and business rather than putting pressure on them to fail.

I’ve had so many questions about what caused this sudden outburst. This has been going on for 5-6 years with other so called “community groups” , “CIC charity’s” and “quangos” being given money to offer our services and I’ve flagged this to Cairngorms National Park on numerous occasions.

However each time the deflection was, if you don’t apply then you won’t get any help. (I still think this is wrong, businesses should be consulted and supported to thrive not ignored)

With that information, I went and have applied for a few funds each time to be told it’s not eligible, and I move on. Sometimes it’s not available. That’s tendering, I get that.

This time I was sent what can only be explained and some brilliant deflection. We are not funding more bike loan schemes as it’s duplicating the current scheme (which I originally help set up with Basecamp Bikes).

To then see two funds getting grants for this exact scheme is what pi**ed me off. Then to also see one of them is to essentially set up a bike shop in Grantown. There is already a brilliant bike shop - BCSuspension

I have never asked for anything, we set up with my own money. Re-invested time and time again to build what you see today. Worked all the extra hours to pay the bills and grow. Apparently this ethic is rare.

How would you feel if a government organisation then pays all set up costs to open a new business down the road.

For reference I know nothing about this company, who it is or what it will do. Just that it feels very much like a kick in the teeth from the National park on issues I have already raised.

05/09/2026

No, is the short answer. We will do what we do and mind ourselves while providing support and the best service to our customers while trying to help the community where we can.

BUT:
I’ve been polite for years now, but I’m at breaking point with this. It’s broken me mentally and emotionally.

We have asked for help and how we can access support like others do, to benefit the community. We have tried to reach out but continued to be denied.

All the community support we have done has been 100% funded by me (Nash Masson). Without any help. In some ways this is how I think it should be. I’d rather give back and see better local infrastructure than another project that fizzles out when the consultation money runs out. Or at least supports a genuinely sustainable business rather than a side project idea that is then closed when the funding is over.

Things I have achieved while trying to build a business ⬇️

🚲 Built a free to use pump track facility for the area (no support, but people were there early to cut the ribbon)

🥲 Set up bike loan scheme for cancer patients (this was then removed from us and funded elsewhere) The Cairngorms Trust 🤷‍♂️

🔧 fixed hundreds of bikes for free as a good deed for those that need it, because it’s just the right thing to do. Now others get paid for the service we just did because it was right.

👨‍🔧 Employed local people to work and support their families here in the area.

🕰️ Given countless hours to meetings to discuss better paths, trails and connections. 20 years later and still barely any delivery, but millions spent on consultation.

Then people see our work as a good idea, it gets ripped off and then it gets funded by the national park locally. Never coming to see us, to help grow and deliver.

How the hell are we meant to survive when Cairngorms National Park don’t support local established businesses.

Then sets up subsidised business that impact our lively hood?

At no point I’m saying these initiatives are bad, but surely support should be there for proven, sustainable existing businesses? Rather than trying to put them on their knees in what already is a tough climate.

30/08/2026

30/08/2026

Sunday Spin up in the clouds.

With the Ryvoan side still closed it was a good chance to get out early before the crowds and do a lap up and down then followed by a traverse of the tops and down to Badaguish.

Even after the little monsoon periods we have had the moss and Heather is still very dry.

Word of warning, the midge is out in force after a relatively calm start they have fired up their chainsaws.

Now time to go find a Bacon roll and a coffee.

25/08/2026

Good times chasing the Chieftain around some trails.

Sun was out and the dirt was prime time. 👌

Back to reality this week, plenty of bikes to build but what a great couple of days on the bike.

Bikes are gid!

19/08/2026

AMFLOW UPDATE:

If you have ordered a PX we should have your bike ready in store and hopefully I’ve phoned you 🤘

If you have ordered a PR or PR Pro. Amflow Bikes are doing everything they can to process pre/back orders.

The demand has been huge, because it’s such a great value bike with serious specs above its competitors.

We will do our best to keep you up to date but we don’t know what has shipped until days before is arrives here in store.

Good news is we are getting weekly drops of bikes and we will process them as quick as they arrive and we will hopefully be in touch as soon.

The demand for these bikes has been unprecedented, and I just want to say thank you to everyone who has patiently waited and supported us to build your bikes.

It will be worth the wait!

TL orders - we have display models in store with stock due in October/November. You should be good for these if you have placed an order. 👍

13/08/2026

Some night for the flight

10/08/2026

Not often I make the double stepping stone sections so clean. Always love it as a challenge each time I ride down this trail.

Do you love a bit of mountain Jank?

Luckily there is lots of flow to be had also.

06/08/2026

Glenmore area to reopen after multi-agency assessment of Cairngorms wildfire.

A cordon around the Glenmore area affected by the Cairngorms wildfire will be lifted at 8am on Friday, 7 August to allow local businesses to reopen.

This decision follows a multi-agency assessment of the area and the ongoing firefighting efforts that started more than 3 weeks ago since the incident began on the 15 July.

The local community and businesses are being thanked for their ongoing patience and support.

Firefighting efforts may require to continue in the Glenmore area as required to dampen down any remaining hotspots, before the land will be formally handed back to Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS), who will put in place public access management restrictions alongside the Cairngorms National Park Authority.

This will include signage in the area for the public to understand which areas are accessible and which are not, including forest paths, biking trails and roads.

Paul Hibberd, FLS’ Regional Visitor Services Manager, said: “As visitors begin to make a welcome return to Glenmore to enjoy the area and contribute to local businesses recovery, we are advising everyone that there continue to be public safety risks, from remaining hotspots and from potentially hazardous, fire-damaged trees and unstable ground.

“Whilst most of Glenmore Forest Park will be fully open we still have a lot of work to do to make our forest safe for visitors and some FLS-managed areas of forest will continue to be out of bounds for some time.

“These include the Allt Ban and Allt Mor car parks, and the Ryvoan Trail and the Lodge Trail, which will remain shut until we can properly assess damage and carry out remediation work to make the area safe for access. There will also be no access to the Green Lochan.

“For your own safety and for the safety of FLS staff, contractors and remaining emergency services workers, please take heed of all signage and do not go into or fly drones in these areas.”

Areas that remain open include Loch Morlich, Lochside, and the Loch Morlich beach, Hayfield and Sugarbowl car parks. The beach trail, Loch Morlich trail and Pine Knoll trail will also be open. Access to the summit of Meall a’ Bhuachaille will be possible from the west only, starting from the Glenmore Visitor Centre (return the same way). Hill access will also be possible via the Sugarbowl car park and the Chalamain Gap. The beach toilets will be open.

Highland Council has been engaging with local businesses ahead of the cordon lifting and will take forward discussions on a grant funding to support those affected by the wildfire.

Further updates on road closures can be found on the Police Scotland Highland & Islands website and social media.

The C7 Ski Road will fully reopen from 8am on Friday, 7 August. Road closures near Abernethy Forest, where firefighting activity continues, will remain. These are:
• Forest Lodge access road in Abernethy Forest
• Lettoch Road
• Dorback

The public is being reminded that firefighting operations and work to remove felled and unsteady fire damaged trees will continue.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will continue to focus most of its efforts in the remote area around Abernethy Forest, where there are deep seated peat fires.

Around 20 firefighters continue to work in the area with specialist resources including a high-volume pump. Helicopter support will continue today but is unlikely to be required beyond Friday. The use of thermal imaging drones provided by FLS and the Park Authority is also ongoing.

Changes to the weather can impact on smoke drift from hotspots, which could potentially be carried by the wind across remote areas and there is likely to be a residual burning smell.