Massive congratulations to the Scottish orienteering community for coming together to host a hugely successful JK over the Easter weekend.
With all the complications of a closed road event in Perth city centre on a bank holiday, followed by the stunning but challenging locations of Rannoch Forest and Tullochroisk on successive days. The many months of preparation by our Planners, Controllers and Organisers were put to the test in the most demanding of circumstances as Storm Dave blew in bringing rain, hail and snow.
Scottish clubs won four titles, including both Elite races in the 2026 Jan Kjellstrom Relay at Tullochroisk, near Kinloch Rannoch.
It was a big day for the students of Edinburgh University, who hold both Trophies for the first time in their long history at the same time, but not without a serious challenge from fellow-Scots. James Hammond, Charlie Rennie and Euan Tryner captured the big prize for the students, although silver medallists INT (Alistair Masson, Aidan Smith and Luke Fisher) had the quickest times on two of the three legs. EUOC were home in 92.15, with INT a close 2nd (92.49).
Scottish orienteers showed real determination to ensure that the 2026 Jan Kjellstrom Festival Long race went ahead, and were rewarded as 33 of their countrymen (and women) claimed overall medals after two days of hard racing.
A deep coating of overnight snow greeted the volunteers who were on hand early to set up at Rannoch Forest, and the arena looked like something from the recent Winter Olympics. The medium range weather forecast was for blizzards (and blue skies!) and those with long memories were reminded of the 1998 JK in Wales, where the Elite courses had to be abandoned due to the starts being cut off by snow.
Event co-ordinator Jon Cross and his team worked wonders to ensure the courses were ready for action, and had everything licked into shape to start on time and without a hitch, and it’s to their credit that the race was able to take place.
The 2026 Jan Kjellstrom International Festival managed to dodge the worst of Storm Dave to deliver a quality Middle distance race at Rannoch, with Scottish-based athletes coming away in 30 overnight medal positions, right across the classes.
The Junior girls were to the fore, as Ingrid Edenbrandt (ESOC) leads W10A in 14.12,with clubmate Kirstin Tinsley 2nd (19.02), and Freya Carter (INVOC) is placed 2nd in W12A (30.04). W14A also has two Scots at the top, as FVO’s Hannah Inman leads overnight in 19.45, from Emma Daley (ESOC – 25.21). Carl Selmer Duguid (TAY) is in provisional bronze medal place in M14A, after a run of 24.41, and INVOC athletes hold 3rd in both under 16 classes, through Cora Comisso (24.14) and Henrik Borrowman (24.53).
We are sure you are all well aware by now – and excited – that SOA is hosting the 2026 Jan Kjellstrom Festival in Perthshire over the Easter weekend, bringing orienteering back to some of Scotland’s very best terrain for the first time in over a decade.
Things are shaping up for all four days of competition and we are delighted that entry numbers so far are looking good. Thank you to those of you who have already entered, please sign up your friends too!
We hope that most of you already know that SOA is hosting the JK Festival of orienteering this Easter – and we hope that most of you will be coming along to experience it, and to help us put on a great show!
The dates are Friday 3 April to Monday 6 April, with all days taking us back to high quality orienteering areas that have not been used for a decade or more.
The SOA is seeking candidates to fill the roles of JK 2026 Co-ordinator for the JK 2026 and the Assistant Coordinator for the Scottish 6 Day Event in 2027.
JK 2026 Co-ordinator
The JK 2026 is being held in Perthshire in 3rd to 6th April 2026 with the Sprint in Perth and the other days based around Rannoch. There is an Interim JK 2026 Co-ordinator in place at present and we are looking for someone to take over this role and deliver the event.
The next Scottish Orienteering 6 Day Event is being held in the Perthshire area in 2027 and we are looking for someone to act as the assistant coordinator for the event.
Both of these roles are paid roles and will be key to the successful delivery of the events through the coordination of a team of volunteers and paid for services as appropriate. For the right candidate there is potential for the roles to be combined.
