MOUNTAIN biking in the Borders was the toast of the national awards last week in Glasgow.

The Scottish MTB awards is a celebration of the mountain bike community with over 150 guests representing the best that country has to offer in mountain biking.

The ceremony at Drygate Brewery saw many local riders and businesses honoured.

The nominations for businesses based in the Tweed Valley included The Tontine Hotel, Air Maidens, Ridelines, Dirt School, Veloeye and Enduro World Series all receiving nominations across various categories.

The local rider nominations included Isla Short, who has had some amazing results on the World Cup XC circuit, along with Grant Fergusson, who has had another impressive season racing World Cup XC and is reigning British XC champion.

Peebles based Mark Scott was also nominated on the back of a hugely impressive Enduro World Series season.

In the end all three of the awards decided on by public vote went to Tweed Valley nominees.

Mountain Bike Rider of the Year went to Katy Winton and Lewis Buchanan – who both race for Trek Factory Racing in the Enduro World Series.

The Scottish Mountain Bike Event of the year was once again won by the Tweedlove Bike Festival.

Neil Dalgleish from Tweedlove said: “It’s fantastic to have brought home the trophy for best event of the year again… it’s brilliant to have won two years in a row.

"Thanks go to everyone who supported us, all our crew and the fabulous volunteers - TweedLove is a Tweed Valley team effort!

"Roll on 2018, and an even better year of riding bikes and good times.”

Cleikum Mill in Innerleithen won the MTB Friendly Accommodation provider of the year.

With less than a year in business, it was an impressive result for an accommodation provider that has embraced mountain bikers with all the facilities that they could look for when staying overnight in the Tweed Valley.

Graham Adcock, from Cleikum Mill, said: “We were delighted to win this award following all our hard work creating fantastic mountain bikers accommodation, offering facilities that are perfect after a day in the hills ,there is plenty of space for them to relax, fettle bikes, wash kit, prepare own food or choose between the many local restaurants, cafes and pubs.

"We are so lucky to have such great biking routes and trails in the Tweed Valley that guests love coming to the area, some guests have returned two or three times in one season.”

The awards ceremony was organised by the Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland and their partners Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland - both organisations are based in Glentress near Peebles.

Ed Shoote, Tweed Valley MTB Coordinate at Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland, added: “These awards are a great reminder of the amazing mountain biking community we have in this area.

"The standard of riders here from young kids up to the award winning professionals is unbelievable.

"We are working on a range of exciting developments to ensure the area cements its reputation as Scotland’s premier mountain bike destination for the years to come. Well done to all the winners and nominees. ”

Scottish Mountain Bike Product Innovation of the Year – AS D-Zine Ltd, Go Charge

Best Scottish Business Collaboration with a University – Bycyclogical and University of Strathclyde

Endura Exporter of the Year - Flaer

Scottish MTB Friendly Accommodation Provider of the Year – Cleikum Mill Lodge, Innerleithen

Edinburgh Napier University Scottish MTB Service Provider of the Year – Off the Grid MTB

Event of the Year – TweedLove Bike Festival

Scottish Cycling MTB Photograph of the Year – James McLean

MTB video of the Year – H&I Adventures, On Wandering

Shand Cycles Scottish Mountain Bike Club of the Year – Midlothian Cycle Club

IBIS Cycles Scottish Mountain Bike Community Project of the Year - Bespoke

Scottish Mountain Biking Local Hero – Barbara Murray and Euan Speirits

Scottish Female Rider of the Year – Katy Winton

Scottish Male Rider of the Year – Lewis Buchanan