The weekend of 9th November saw over 250 orienteers travel to Vogrie Country Park on the south east of Edinburgh for the 2024 Scottish Score Championships. The weather may have remained dull for the event but the area offered a variety of terrain from parkland to the steep sided valleys of the Tyne Water and its tributaries and a disused golf course.

The last weekend in October saw Badenoch and Strathspey Orienteering Club (BASOC) hosting the fifth and last Scottish Orienteering League event of the 2024 season at Alvie near Aviemore. The offering of a area not used recently in the Speyside area meant that over 320 competitors had the opportunity to experience a stunning location in the delightful autumnal colours.

As part of the ‘Increasing Participation’ project overseen by Clyde Gateway at Cuningar Loop Woodland Park in Glasgow, SOA held another set of 3 sessions in the October school holidays that targeted families looking for a fun, free activity for their kids. SOA are involved at the request of Clyde Gateway and SportScotland. SOA was one of four sport governing bodies asked to help Clyde Gateway in their project to increase local engagement with sport and wellbeing. SOA have tried to ensure that any activity undertaken links to the local clubs and we have been grateful over the years for the assistance of STAG (St Andrew’s Orienteering Club Glasgow) volunteers and for the use of the club map, without which these activities would not be possible.

Juniors from all over Scotland headed north for this year’s junior interarea competition that took place on the weekend of 26/27th November. The North, East and West fielded their strongest teams and battled it out over a relay on the Saturday and the individual on the Sunday, with West hoping to retain their title from last year.

The university club is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. 

Anyone that has been a part of EUOC past or present is invited to join us to celebrate 60 amazing years of orienteering, friendships and amazing memories. The main celebration is the annual AROS Ball which is being held on Saturday 9th November at Marchmont St Giles’ Parish Church (TBC). There will be ceilidh dancing 8:30-11:30 and food provided (TBC). It is sure to be a night to remember! There is also going to be an informal 2×2 relay earlier in the day in Bonnyrigg.

We know that this is short notice but would be great to see as many people (from as many eras) as possible! 

For more info (including a form to sign up) click this link: AROS Ball 2024 – Bulletin 1. 

Our great sport always needs people to help introduce others to a fantastic new activity or support those already participating to be the best they can.  These people are our coaches and we have a variety of courses to train you to join their ranks – it’s easier than you think.

With the 2025 calendar having been pulled together slightly later than anticipated due to the World Orienteering Championships having taken all of the focus earlier in the year, controllers are now requested to have a look at the opportunities available. A spreadsheet of opportunities has been prepared which allows controllers to see what organising and planning opportunities may be available in order to keep up their experience.

The spreadsheet is located on SOA website in Resources/ Event officials and rules/Event controllers/Controlling Opportunities

Following feedback on the need for SI training Robin Strain has also offered to answer queries from controllers at an online meeting on the evening of 2nd November.  David Rosen has provided advice on the subject on the BOF website Sport Ident Advice for Event Advisers and Controllers.  Any queries to be discussed in the meeting should be forwarded to nikki@scottish-orienteering.org before 21st October to allow Robin time to consider the queries.

On 7th/ 8th September saw an opportunity for the Scottish athletes to compete on home turf, for the Senior Home Internationals, as it was Scotland’s turn to host the event. Forth Valley Orienteers were hosting the event with the individual races taking part at Edinchip and the relays at Callandar Crags.

David Robertson of Edinburgh Southern Orienteering Club (ESOC) is never one to blow his own trumpet! So much so that after the award of the President’s medal to him at the AGM he was asked to send in a photo so we could do a post and we haven’t seen it yet!

Last weekend saw a Scottish Junior team make their way to the South West for the Junior Inter Regional Championships. This event takes place every year and sees juniors from all 12 regions of the UK come together to compete for their region but most importantly to socialise with fellow orienteers from their regions and beyond. With over 200 juniors attending and everyone staying in the same location orienteering is on the agenda but catching up on their social life is just as high!

Saturday saw the individual event take place at Mallards Pike in the Forest of Dean. The terrain was runnable with a network of ditches and old mine workings to test their navigation. As is standard the juniors set up camp, got down to face painting to ensure everyone was in the team spirit and provided vocal support to all coming through the spectator control.