Our Story

The Highland Cycle Ability Centre is a charitable organisation run by The Watermill Foundation Ltd, and we are the first open air, all abilities cycle track in Scotland. We were opened in May 2013 by paralympic hand cyclist Karen Darke, and since then, we have made it our mission to provide people of all ages and abilities with the chance to get outside, get moving, and try something new in a peaceful, safe, and traffic free environment.

Our Identity

At the heart of our identity is an earnest commitment to inclusion, accessibility, and community. We pride ourselves in recognising and welcoming people with all forms of disability, including but not limited to those with learning, physical, or mental health challenges, ASN, and autism spectrum disorders. We are dedicated to providing a space where everyone can feel seen, supported, and empowered.

While we specialise in providing adaptive cycles for those who need them, our centre is for the enjoyment of all; whether you are an able bodied person looking for a safe, traffic-free environment to relax and exercise in, you are looking to learn or teach someone else to cycle, you want a fun family day out in the fresh air, or you’re simply curious to try a non-standard cycle, our centre is the place to visit.

Our Mission

Regular physical exercise has a proven positive impact for individuals with a disability. It boosts strength, flexibility, and circulation, while also reducing muscle stiffness and preventing heart disease and obesity. Integrating physical activity into daily routines not only encourages a healthy lifestyle, but releases endorphins that alleviate stress, uplift mood, and improve self-esteem and cognitive function. As well as providing the opportunity for physical exercise, our centre also provides the space and possibility to build social connections, which are vital in creating a sense of belonging and combating loneliness for those facing social isolation or stigmatization.

Our mission is to make the activity of cycling accessible, enjoyable, and beneficial for as many people as we can. Each year, the track sees in excess of 3,000 service users, including community groups and young people from local schools, some of whom have been with us since we first opened. However, our vision is constantly growing and evolving, and we want even more people to discover the simple enjoyment of getting outside and doing something social and active.

We want to help people of all ages and abilities to find confidence in their bodies, and to empower them to start their journey towards finding joy in exercise again.