SCOTLAND is among the best in the world at a sport. You didn't read that wrong. It's not a misprint, and you aren't going slightly mad. Scotland is one of the best places on earth to get down and dirty with the sport of mountain biking.

Last month the International Mountain Biking Association rated Scotland as the best place outside North America to hurtle down hillsides and negotiate forests on a bike.

Lofty praise indeed. So to celebrate our new found world dominance, here's all you need to know about getting started in this most white knuckle of sports.

DALBEATTIE FOREST In the south side of Dalbeattie on A710 Dumfries and Galloway Starting out For beginners, the Ironhash Trail and Moyle Hill Trail are a perfect introduction to the sport.

Offering nothing morethreatening than a blue run, both these tracks take two hours to complete and wind around dry lochs, along wooded trails and offer great views.

Move up a gear But for those with a serious screw loose, there is suitably titled, and black graded, Hardrock Trail.

A spine-tingling singletrack weaves in and out of trees, down some stupidly steep hills, and over rock bridges and boulder causeways made out of the area's trademark granite.

While not one for beginners, this 18-mile track of white-knuckle biking is certainly something to aim for.

Highlight The Slab - a 40-foot monstrous rock that hurtles you in the direction gravity intended - down, very fast.

Further information Telephone 01387 272440

GLENTRESS Near Peebles on the A72 Starting out The forest cathedral to which all self-respecting mountain bikers come to worship. Glentress, the UK's most popular mountainbiking destination, leaves none unsatisfied over its 65km of trails.

The Blue Trail is 12.8km of beginner biking heaven. Nothing too strenuous or dangerous, but still lots of fun, especially over the ups and downs of the Betty Blue descent. There are also several loops to practise jumps and drop offs before tackling the trails.

Move up a gear The Black Route Helly Hansen V Trail, to give it its full title, is the daddy of mountain biking trails, voted the best in the UK.

Essentially a 30.5km roller coaster on wheels, it takes in the tricky descent of Britney Spears, oodles of drop offs, lung-bursting climbs to the highest points of the forest, and bone shuddering descents at wild speeds.

Make sure you wear body armour.

Highlight The Ewok Village. In Star Wars the ewoks were wussie wee furballs. In Glentress however, their village is as hard as it comes.

More information Telephone 01387 272440

INNERLEITHEN Off the A72, south of Walkerburn by Innerleithen Scottish Borders Starting out While Innerleithen is more famous for it's advanced features, there is enough on the 19km Traquair XC track to ease novice riders into the swing of things. At the very least the strengthsapping 570m ascent to Minch Moor will get your calf muscles burning.

Move up a gear It's all about the Red Bull Project Downhill, and boy does it go down, very steeply and very fast.

Designed to bring out the best in advanced riders, it throws jumps, rocks and berms at you.

No wonder it was voted the best downhill in the country.

At weekends, there is an uplift to the top so you can save some energy. And when you are hurtling down the single track at suicidal speeds, you're going to need it.

Highlight Caddon Bank on the Traquair XC track. Two kilometres that amount to running a gauntlet of rock steps, big hucks and some startlingly huge jumps.

More information Telephone 01387 272440

FORT WILLIAM Nevis Range Starting out Leanachan Forest is actually the only area in Nevis Range open for mountain biking at the moment, thanks to the snow. And it is also the best place in the area to get to grips with mountain biking. It's gentle trails are ideal for beginners, but there are still plenty of drop offs too, if you're feeling adventurous.

Move up a gear The Nevis Range downhill is the only place in the UK to host World Cup Mountain Bike Championships, and it's easy to see why - the course descends from 625m to 100m in just 2.8km. .

For the more cross-country inclined, the Witch's Trail should keep you spellbound.

Highlight The downhill is the most physically demanding track in the world, " according to Stu Thompson, Giant UK. Enough said, really.

More information 01397 705825 www. nevisrange. co. uk

A beginners' guide to mountain biking

What bike?

A new bike can range from pounds-100 to astronomical figures. For starting out, go cheap. The important thing is that it's well maintained - the tire pressure must be right, and the brakes must work - rather than the price tag.

What do I bring?

Helmet: Vital. Don't even consider going out on a bike without one. If you think they look stupid, tough. It's either that or your brain splattered on some rocks or trees. The fit is the most important aspect of the helmet. Make sure it fits snugly with no obvious pressure points. If you can rotate the helmet or shake it lose, time for a new helmet.

Gloves: Good for reducing vibrations and protecting against branches that may lash your hands, plus nasty falls. And you will fall.

Cycling shorts: Deeply unfashionable on the street, but very handy on the bike.

They should be specially padded so your ass doesn't get bruised, and so you can stay on the saddle for longer. It's advisable to wear something baggier (shorts, trousers) over the top if you don't want to look like The Darkness.

Protective clothing: You are going to get muddy, wet, bruised and sweaty. So wear water-proof, breathable and durable clothing. And bring a change of clothes.

Snack bag: You'll certainly work up an appetite and a thirst so bring some water or high energy drinks plus some energy bars for that final push.

First aid kit: As we've said before, you will fall. It's good to have some bandages on hand.

Tool kit: Just in case you need to do some mid-track DIY to your bike so you don't have to trek the rest of the way.

Bring a spare tube to deal with punctures.

What trails?

Plan your day well. Think about what you are going to do. Pick a suitable trail that you know you are going to manage.

Beginners start on blue trails. Then red.

Never black as a beginner, unless you have a death wish.

It's more fun to do than anything else'

Adam Wilson, 11, Peebles I've been mountain biking for three or four years. My friend just told me about it one day, so I just came along. I found it quite enjoyable, so I continued to go.

I like getting muddy and going off jumps. It was scary the first time Idid a jump. I crashed, but I still went back.

It's more fun to do than anything else. I like getting air off jumps and going really fast down hills and getting scars. Idon't get scared anymore - Ijust go for it.

Mountain biking is a really big part of my life.

Grant Ferguson, 11, Peebles I started five years ago, just riding about the streets of Edinburgh. Then my family moved down to The Borders and there was a club that just started and me and my sister were the first ones to go.

I want to compete in the 2012 Olympics, become the World Champion Downhill and World Champion Cross-country. Ithink Iam well on the way to that.

What I like the most is going suicidal and getting big air.

I do get really high. I've broken four bones in crashes - my cheekbone, my elbow, my collar bone and my shoulder - but that doesn't put me off.

Joe Barnes, 16, Fort William I've been competing at downhill mountain biking for four years now. My favourite place to ride is the Nevis Range downhill course.

Iride it quite a bit, so I know it quite well and can go as fast as I can. I don't really get scared anymore, only if there's a big jump or something that I haven't done before. The worst thing that's happened to me was this summer when I broke my collarbone. Iwent flying over the handle bars and landed hard.

Ben Cathro, 16, Oban Last year Iwas the Scottish Champion at downhill. I do take it quite seriously and I'm hoping to make it my living. My heroes are people like Greg Minnaar who compete in the World Cup.

Ilike riding in Innerleithen because of the variety, but my favourite is Ae forest in Dumfriesshire -it's a really, fun enjoyable track.

I've broken four bones, one for every year I've raced.

Mountain biking is great for young people to get involved in - it keeps you fit and healthy and it's fun.

What next?

Some useful contacts

Organisations:

You can join the Scottish Downhill Association (SDA) who organise events and races. Contact Steve Hogben, Secretary - 01349 861 712 Websites:

For the best advice and updates on trails around Scotland check out - www.7stanes. gov. uk www. forestry. gov. uk/recre ation Shops:

Alpine Bikes, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, 0141 353 2226 One of the biggest specialist chains in Scotland www. alpinebikes. co. uk Edinburgh Bike Cooperative, Bruntsfield and Aberdeen, 0131 331 5010 Scotland's best stocked mountainbike shop www. edinburghbicycle. co. uk Probike Sport, Innerleithen, 01896 830880 All your biking needs, from beginner to advanced, with a selection of hire and new bikes, just next door to great trails