Emily Greaves is the kind of person you’d expect to have her life completely together. With her ex-military background, bold personality, and an infectious laugh, she exudes a confidence that makes her the kind of person you’d want by your side in a crisis. But when she talks about the heartbreaking loss of a friend who took his own life, her emotional vulnerability paints a different, deeply human side of her, one that shapes the unique work she’s doing with Comrie Croft, a center for mountain biking therapy in Scotland.
Comrie Croft: A Place of Healing and Adventure
Comrie Croft, located on private land in Scotland, is far removed from the typical, heavily-regulated, public forestry facilities that you might expect in many parts of the country. There are no overly-polished signs, no digital parking meters, and certainly no government-mandated fences. Instead, it’s a cozy, homespun environment that feels as though it was built by people who genuinely care about the land and the riders who visit.
Spanning over 21 km of purpose-built mountain bike trails, Comrie Croft offers a variety of experiences, from beginner-friendly routes to more technical black trails. There’s also a skills area for those looking to refine their abilities, a full-service bike shop, and guided rides for individuals or groups. Visitors can enjoy locally-sourced, organic food, shop for everything from vegan chocolate to locally-knitted hats, and even spend the night in unique Norwegian-style katas or camp under the stars. Whether you’re there to ride, relax in the sauna, or even get married, Comrie Croft is a community-oriented space that radiates warmth and hospitality.
It’s this very sense of camaraderie and care that makes the Croft a perfect setting for an innovative mental health initiative that is helping people regain control of their lives through the power of mountain biking.
The Power of Mountain Biking as Therapy
Anyone who’s ever been out on a mountain bike knows how the experience clears your mind. It’s not about running away from your problems, but rather about gaining some perspective. Whether it’s a bad day at work, a personal conflict, or the need to work through a mental block, there’s something about the adrenaline, fresh air, and the focus required to navigate the terrain that gives your mind a much-needed reset.
This kind of mental uplift is not just anecdotal. Over time, the therapeutic benefits of outdoor activities like mountain biking have become increasingly recognized by mental health professionals and academics. This growing recognition has led to the creation of a Trail Therapy program, which officially launched in Scotland. Emily Greaves, with her extensive background in mountain biking, was one of the first to be trained as a Trail Therapy practitioner, and has since played a crucial role in bringing this program to life.
A Unique Therapy Model: Accessible and Effective
The Trail Therapy program provides a unique form of mental health care. Patients can self-refer or be referred by doctors, nurses, or mental health practitioners. Once accepted into the program, patients are given a high-quality mountain bike from the center’s rental fleet. They are taught how to use the bike, and then they join a group of fellow riders for two-hour sessions, once a week, over the course of eight weeks. This structured, yet flexible therapy is entirely funded by the Scottish National Health Service (NHS), making it accessible to those who may not have the financial resources to access traditional therapy.
The concept is simple: take people out of their usual environment, put them in nature, and use mountain biking as a tool to foster mental well-being. It allows participants to connect with the outdoors, push their physical boundaries, and, just as importantly, connect with others who may be experiencing similar mental health challenges.
Emily Greaves: From Personal Tragedy to Professional Transformation
For Emily Greaves, this program is deeply personal. Having experienced the devastating loss of a friend to suicide, she understands the weight of mental health struggles more than most. Her work at Comrie Croft is not just a career—it’s a mission to create a space where people can find healing, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.
“Being out on the trails with the riders, there’s something transformative about it,” says Greaves. “It’s not just about cycling—it’s about regaining a sense of control and confidence in their lives. For many of the people I work with, mountain biking provides that moment of clarity where they can focus on something other than the noise in their heads.”
What’s Happening in the Riders’ Heads
One of the most interesting aspects of this therapy is how the participants’ mental states change over time. “At first, many of the riders arrive feeling unsure, anxious, or disconnected,” explains Greaves. “But by the end of the eight weeks, we often see real changes in their mindset. They feel more confident, they have a better sense of control, and, just as importantly, they feel less isolated.”
The benefits of group therapy combined with outdoor adventure are clear. Riders not only gain the physical benefits of cycling, but they also develop a sense of belonging and camaraderie with others in the program. This feeling of connection, especially for those suffering from mental health challenges, can be incredibly empowering. It allows them to regain a sense of self-worth and self-efficacy.
Real-Life Impact: Stories of Change
Greaves has had the opportunity to witness first-hand the transformative effects of this therapy. From riders who have struggled with depression and anxiety to those facing trauma and grief, the shared experience of mountain biking has given them a tangible way to feel better about themselves. It’s more than just about the ride—it’s about the control that each rider gains over their own life and mental health.
One participant, who had previously struggled with social isolation and self-esteem issues, described how the program helped them reframe their mindset. “I thought I was just doing this for the exercise,” they said, “but over time, I realized that it’s more than that. It’s the mental space it gives me. It’s the people I’ve met, the confidence I’ve gained. It’s just been life-changing.”
A Growing Movement in Mental Health
The success of Trail Therapy in Scotland has prompted growing interest from mental health professionals around the world. While it’s still a relatively new concept, the results speak for themselves: by combining physical activity, nature, and group therapy, mountain biking has become an effective tool for tackling mental health challenges in a way that traditional therapy methods sometimes cannot.
As for Emily Greaves, she’s passionate about continuing her work, not just as a mountain biking instructor, but as a person who can make a real difference in the lives of others. For her, the combination of mental health care and mountain biking isn’t just a job—it’s a way of giving people control over their lives again.
Through Trail Therapy, Comrie Croft, and Greaves’ own dedication, more and more people in Scotland are discovering how mountain biking can be a powerful tool in their mental health journey. Whether you’re pedaling through a muddy trail or soaring down a mountain path, the therapeutic power of mountain biking is helping individuals regain control of their mental and emotional well-being, one ride at a time.
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