Bikeability: Now Delivered by Dolphin House Outdoor Education Centre

Dolphin House Outdoor Education Centre, located within the grounds of Culzean Castle and Country Park, is now delivering Cycling Scotland's Bikeability training across all South Ayrshire primary schools.

The centre is South Ayrshire Council's dedicated residential outdoor education facility, offering young people opportunities to learn, explore and build confidence through a wide range of outdoor activities — from canoeing and rock pooling, to caving, abseiling, environmental studies and now Bikeability cycling.

Bikeability gives pupils the skills and confidence to cycle safely. Training begins off-road in Primary 5, where pupils learn basic cycling skills and complete safety checks, before progressing to quieter, on-road environments at Level 2.

During the 2024-25 academic year, more than 1,700 pupils in South Ayrshire took part in Bikeability Levels 1 and 2. 

The training is free, delivered in schools and supported by qualified instructors including teachers, parents and carers and community volunteers.

South Ayrshire Council's Policy Lead for Education and Lifelong Learning, Councillor William Grant, said: "Dolphin House Outdoor Education Centre plays a huge role in supporting learning beyond the classroom. Its location at Culzean Castle and Country Park gives young people access to exceptional outdoor environments, and adding Bikeability training strengthens that offer even further. It's fantastic to see so many pupils gaining the skills and confidence to cycle safely."

South Ayrshire Council's Policy Lead for Leisure and Community Services, Councillor Chris Cullen, said: "We're incredibly proud of the opportunities our young people have through Dolphin House. It's great to see the centre playing such an active role — especially in supporting programmes like Bikeability. This will have a positive impact on even more children across South Ayrshire, and I'm delighted to see the programme thriving."

More information on Bikeability is available at: https://cycling.scot/cycle-training/training-for-children/bikeability-scotland/about-bikeability-scotland

Those interested in volunteering with Dolphin House can email [email protected] 

Primary 5 pupil, Hazel, practising cycling skills during a Bikeability session