Mush ado about sled dog race bid

Sled dogs training on Loch Morlich, near Aviemore

A sled dog racer said he has been forced to postpone his bid to host an official race in Aviemore because he did not get an £800 grant.

Alan Stewart had hoped to get the funding from the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA).

He is now proposing to stage a six-day event in 2008.

CNPA said it was sorry it could not support Mr Stewart's plans, but added that its grants scheme had been popular and run out of money.

Mr Stewart, who has competed on occasions in the Aviemore Dog Sled Rally, runs the Cairngorm Sled Dog Adventure Centre at Rothiemurchas.

I didn't even get anyone to come to talk about it Dog sled racer Alan Stewart

He spent the past year convincing the Sled Dog Association of Scotland to hold its championship in the Highland town.

However, Mr Stewart claimed that he has had to put the plan on ice because of a lack of funds or interest from CNPA.

He said of his bid for grant assistance: "I didn't even get anyone to come to talk about it."

The 50-year-old said encouragement from other backers of his project have convinced him to try and host it in 2008.

"I've decided to postpone it until 2008 and have a trophy donations event over six days with 80 dog teams, most we hope from Europe."

He said the event would take place around the Highlands and may finish up in Aviemore.

CNPA said it hopes to secure further funds to its grant scheme next year.

A spokeswoman said: "We are sorry that we have been unable to help Mr Stewart financially with his planned event and recognise the valuable contribution such an event would make to the local economy.

"The marketing and events strand of the Integrated Grants Programme has proved very popular and as a result is over subscribed."