Etape Loch Ness riders generate over £1m in economic benefit to the Highlands

March 21, 2018

Cyclists are preparing to saddle up for the ride of their lives at Etape Loch Ness – and while the closed-road sportive promises to deliver memories that will last a lifetime, the benefit to the local community will also continue beyond event weekend.

An independent study undertaken following the 2017 Etape Loch Ness, which sets out from Inverness for the fifth year running on April 29, shows that it brought thousands of visitors to the Highland capital and surrounding area.

Over three-quarters of the 5,200 entries into the 2017 event came from riders living outside the Highlands, with 17% of those living outside Scotland. In total, the event created an economic spin-off of over £1m for the local economy, and £423,302 to Scotland.

Macmillan Cancer Support has been the main charity partner for the Etape Loch Ness since its inception, and this year the charity hopes its team of riders will break the £1m fund-raising milestone at the event. In addition to Macmillan, event riders use the sportive to raise money for a wide range of good causes and charities close to their heart.

Etape Loch Ness event director Malcolm Sutherland says the event is about more than providing one day of thrilling cycling on the roads around the most famous stretch of water in the UK.

He adds, “When we set up this event, we knew that it had the potential to be more than just a cycling event and over many years of hard work, we are delighted to see the benefits it is bringing.

“I believe that we have created an event that really resonates with the local community. We wanted people in Inverness – along with all the towns and villages along the route – to feel a real ownership of the event.

“We know that Etape Loch Ness weekend is a time that people look forward to, and it’s great to see so many people get out on the streets to support the event and the riders, as well volunteering to help out.

“We simply couldn’t do this event without the help of the local community, so it is very gratifying to see the return benefit, whether that is through the additional spending which would otherwise not happen, or through the fund-raising that is carried out for charities here in the Highlands and beyond.”

Graeme Ambrose, chief executive officer of tourism body VisitInvernessLochNess, says the event has a far-reaching impact on businesses directly and indirectly linked to tourism.

“I think there is a growing appreciation within the community of this event, which is now firmly embedded in the local calendar,” says Graham, who has previously taken part in Etape Loch Ness along with colleagues.

“It was set up not only as a way of promoting cycling and raising the profile of the Highlands as a cycling destination, but to bring benefit to the local community – and on that it is certainly delivering.

“We have always made it clear that we will support events which have a long-term sustainability and the way it has grown year on year – bringing in more and more people from outside the area who otherwise would not have a reason to visit – has been phenomenal.”

Starting in Inverness, the stunning Etape Loch Ness route follows the A82 along the northern side of the loch, before passing through Fort Augustus onto the south side.

It is there that riders will take on the most challenging leg of the course – the timed King of the Mountain stage – a 4.8-mile climb which rises to 380m in height.

The route then continues around the southern side of the loch before returning to the event hub at Eden Court in Inverness. The event takes place on traffic-free roads, giving riders a unique experience.

In all five years of Etape Loch Ness, places have sold out within hours of going on sale. A limited number of places are then made available to riders who pledge to raise money for charity partner, Macmillan Cancer Support.

For further information about the event visit www.etapelochness.com. or social media – Facebook www.facebook.com/etapelochness and Twitter @EtapeLochNess