That the Parliament welcomes and recognises the successful staging of what it considers the UK’s premier gravel cycling festival, The Gralloch, which was held in Gatehouse of Fleet, Galloway, from 15 to 17 May 2026; notes that the event attracted more than 3,000 riders from 47 nations, including Australia, Argentina, Iceland and Bhutan, as well as thousands of spectators; further notes that the festival featured the GravelKing UCI Gravel World Series race, offering automatic qualification places for both the World and European Championships, alongside the 323-kilometre Genesis Ultra, presented by Maxxis, and a non-competitive sportive that allowed participants to experience the stunning landscape of Galloway Forest Park; considers that the festival placed south-west Scotland firmly on the global stage of world-class cycling while delivering a significant boost to the local economy; highlights that it was supported by a vibrant festival village showcasing live music, food and drink, including local produce and craft beer; recognises the unique energy and visibility generated by the event, which it believes will encourage repeat visits and deliver lasting benefits to the region; commends the organisers for their vision and commitment in bringing a world-class event to one of Scotland’s most scenic areas, and acknowledges the important role that the Scottish Government, local authorities and their agencies can play in supporting and promoting events of this kind, which bring significant economic benefit to rural communities while showcasing Scotland’s outstanding natural environment to an international audience.
Supported by: Colin Beattie, Miles Briggs, Murdo Fraser, Meghan Gallacher, Craig Hoy, Jamie Langan