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For mountain bikers and trail runners in Australia, Scotland might seem like a world away—swapping dusty red clay and eucalyptus-scented singletrack for emerald hills and bottomless peat bogs. However, the film 7 Stanes in 7 Days is a masterclass in why every outdoor enthusiast, regardless of their home turf, should have the Scottish Borders on their bucket list.
The film follows a relentless journey through the "7 Stanes," a series of world-class mountain biking centers scattered across the south of Scotland. For an Aussie audience, the immediate appeal is the sheer atmospheric contrast. We are used to managing heat and dust; watching the protagonists battle the horizontal Scottish rain and the eerie, mist-shrouded forests of Kirroughtree or Glentrool offers a visceral, vicarious thrill.
The "Stanes" (Scots for "stones") are represented by massive sculptures at each trailhead, symbolizing the rugged soul of the landscape. For mountain bikers, trail runners and other trail users, these locations offer more than just paths; they provide a blueprint for a technical, undulating terrain that rewards endurance and a high tolerance for getting wet:
The 7 Stanes are seven world-class mountain biking centers located across the south of Scotland, from the Scottish Borders in the east to Dumfries and Galloway in the west.
The name comes from the Scottish word for stone ("stane"). Each of the seven locations features a unique, large-scale stone sculpture created by artist Gordon Young, often tucked away on the trails for riders and runners to discover.
Here are the seven locations and what they are best known for:
Located in the Tweed Valley near Peebles, this is the most famous of the centers. It’s legendary for its "flow"—beautifully constructed singletrack that feels like a roller coaster. It has everything from easy green loops to a challenging black descent.
Just down the road from Glentress, "Inners" is the spiritual home of Scottish downhill and enduro. It’s much steeper and more technical, famous for its downhill tracks and the "Make or Break" XC loop.
Often voted the best trail center in the UK, Kirroughtree is located in the Galloway Forest Park. It’s known for its incredible rock features and technical singletrack. If you like "old school" technical riding, this is the one.
Set near the coast, Dalbeattie is unique because its trails are built on and around massive granite outcrops. The most famous feature is "The Slab," a terrifyingly steep, smooth granite rock face that tests even the bravest riders.
One of the original mountain bike centers in Scotland, Mabie offers a classic forest riding experience. It has a great mix of fast-flowing trails and some very tricky "North Shore" style timber features (elevated wooden bridges).
Located north of Dumfries, Ae offers a bit of everything: a superb red-grade XC trail, a massive "Big Air" downhill track, and a beautiful riverside blue trail. It’s known for its sense of scale and the massive "Ae" stane.
Fun Fact for the Aussies: While we might look for snakes or spiders on the trail, in the 7 Stanes, the biggest "hazards" are usually the midges (tiny biting flies) and the roots—which become like ice the moment a single drop of Scottish rain touches them!
While we may live in the "Sunburnt Country," the core of this film resonates with the Australian spirit of adventure and "having a go."
7 Stanes in 7 Days isn’t just a promotional piece for Scottish tourism; it’s a love letter to the "flow state." Even if you aren't planning a trip to the UK tomorrow, the cinematography captures the rhythmic beauty of navigating tight forest canopies and rocky outcrops that will make any trail runner itch to lace up their shoes.
For those of us in the Southern Hemisphere, it serves as a refreshing reminder that while the dirt might be a different color, the "stoke" remains universal. It is 40 minutes of pure escapism that proves that sometimes, the best way to spend a week is simply moving through the wilderness—rain, hail, or shine.
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Trash Free Trails Australia is based on the Upper North Shore and Northern Beaches of Sydney. We respectfully acknowledge the people of the Eora Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which our community exists. We recognise their deep and continuing spiritual connection to the land, waters, and sea. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
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