Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBinS), part of Scottish Cycling, is delighted to announce the return of Fresh Cuts – a six-month paid training programme designed to grow the next generation of mountain bike and adventure content creators.
Following the success of the first pilot in 2024/25, Fresh Cuts 2 will once again bring together Screen Scotland and world-leading MTB media company Cut Media to deliver a collaborative skills development programme for six aspiring creators across Scotland.
Scotland is recognised globally as a powerhouse of mountain bike and adventure media, producing world-class content for international audiences and global brands. Fresh Cuts 2 will continue to develop the skilled pipeline of freelance crew, production leads, self-shooting directors, camera operators, and content creators that the sector urgently needs.
The programme runs for six months (2 days per week), offering trainees Real Living Wage paid placements within DMBinS. Participants will gain hands-on experience, expert mentoring, and the chance to work on real productions showcasing Scottish mountain biking to the world.
Applications for Fresh Cuts 2 are now open, with a deadline of 12noon on Wednesday 12 November 2025.
The six successful candidates will begin their placements in January 2026, with the programme running through to June 2026.
David Smith, Director of Screen Scotland, said: “Fresh Cuts is an exciting and innovative approach to training. It reflects the way audiences are consuming content through YouTube, TikTok and other direct-to-consumer platforms – often funded by brands, not broadcasters. Fresh Cuts 2 builds on the strong foundations of the pilot and continues to support the growth of both Scotland’s screen and mountain biking sectors.”
Stu Thomson, Cut Media, said: “Scotland has an incredible story to tell through mountain biking, but the industry needs creators who can bring those stories to life across different platforms. Fresh Cuts 2 is about giving new voices the skills, confidence, and opportunities to thrive in a fast-moving media landscape. We can’t wait to see the creativity this next group will bring.”
Colena Cotter, Communications and Business Support Manager at DMBinS, who will manage the trainee cohort, added: “The first Fresh Cuts programme proved how much talent there is out there – and the huge impact it can have when we invest in it. Fresh Cuts 2 will give another six people the chance to gain invaluable skills and industry connections, while helping us share the stories of Scottish mountain biking in bold and creative new ways.”