Scotland overwhelmed by Wales at the Veteran Home Internationals

The 2026 Veteran Home Internationals took place down in the Peak District last weekend (19th/20th September) and saw Scotland finishing in third position despite being a very close run thing overnight after the individuals. The date of the VHIs was brought forward to the end of September this year from its normal late October position. This meant that it clashed with Coast and Islands, children starting university and the London City Race among other things.

Despite all of that Scotland were able to put forward a full team with representation from 9 clubs across Scotland and a few Scots from across the border. As ever there were a strong team spirit as they all travelling to the Peak District to take part in the event being hosted by England with South Yorkshire Orienteers holding both the Individual and Relay events.

The Individual event on the Saturday took place at Cowms Rock which offered excellent technical orienteering on a moorland peat plateau with a wealth of contour details as a result of erosion and landslides. The controller commented that route choice crossing the very steep valleys from the fast cotton grass and hagg tops challenged runners to use their compass accurately and relocation expertise on the bland tops that hid the distinct deep haggs and streams. The team battled but at the end of the Individual day had been pipped into third place by Wales.

The relays event was held at Hagg Side which is a wooded area alongside Derwent Reservoir where the lower slopes are described as mostly rather steep. With six relay teams for each nation out in a 3 x Man/Woman/Man and 3 x Woman/Man/Woman combination there was all to play for to see if the team could overwhelm the narrow 2nd place overnight lead held by Wales. Unfortunately Wales held onto the lead leaving Scotland in 3rd position overall after the narrow victory last year.

Well done to everyone who took part and travelled to the Peak District to represent their country – Fabulous to see so many smiling faces enjoying the opportunity to wear the Scotland top. Thank you to South Yorkshire and everyone involved in hosting the event. Next year the VHIs will be held in Wales on 30th/31st October.

2026 saw the retirement of Janice Nesbit as the Scottish VHI manager. Kirsten Strain (AROS) and Vicky Thornton (FVO) have agreed to assume the mantel as a team going forward. Our thanks are due to Janice Nesbit for all of her efforts for the last 12 years managing the VHI team and she was awarded the Service to Orienteering award at the 2026 AGM.