What is Orienteering?
Orienteering is an exciting adventure sport that blends physical fitness with mental challenge as you navigate through unfamiliar terrain to find checkpoints (controls) using just a map and compass. The thrill of discovering each control is addictive!
It’s like a treasure hunt where navigation skills and outdoor fitness lead to success and a real sense of achievement. In competitions, the goal is to race against others, finding all the controls in the correct order and finishing in the shortest time. But you can also take it at your own pace, enjoying the forest and the experience.
What’s special about orienteering at the Scottish Six Days?
The Scottish Six Days is a multi-day international orienteering event in Scotland, suitable for all levels, including beginners. It’s a great opportunity to try orienteering, whether for one day or the whole week, and is family-friendly, with participants of all ages.
Each day offers courses of varying difficulty, from beginner-friendly to challenging off-path routes, all based on high-quality maps with detailed features. The multi-day format allows participants to learn, improve, and build confidence throughout the week.
The Scottish Six Days is a festival-style event with food vendors, merchandise stalls, and fun activities like follow-the-string courses for children. It’s a great social experience, allowing participants and their families to connect, share stories, and enjoy the atmosphere, even if not competing.
The orienteering community is friendly and supportive, with volunteers and participants offering encouragement. Club tents line the finish, provide a good base, and there’s plenty of time to socialise and explore the local area during the event, especially since it’s during the summer holiday period!
Who can take part?
Orienteering is for everyone!
The Scottish Six Days offers a variety of courses suitable for all ages and experience levels, with options of different lengths and difficulty.
Many families treat the event as an active holiday, with courses for kids, beginners, and experienced competitors. Children can enjoy activities like the popular follow-the-string mini-course and beginner-friendly forest orienteering. Contacting your local club is a great way to connect with other families who will be there.
What skills do I need?
Orienteering is a map-based sport so it’s worth looking at some examples in advance to familiarise yourself with the symbols on the map.
As well as understanding the map, you need to be able to use it, to identify where you are and where you need to get to—so a compass is extremely helpful to ensure you know which direction to go in. Always orient your map to North (turn it so the top edge is pointing towards North along with your compass needle) so what you see on your map will be what you see on the ground in front of you.
Going along to a come-and-try-it event organised by your local club is a great way to learn the basics of orienteering navigation and skills such as understanding contours, making route choices and finding ‘attack points’ once you get close to a control.
Do you have to run or can you walk?
You can choose your pace! Whether you run or walk, it’s up to you to go at the speed that suits you.
The real challenge is matching your thinking to your movement—sometimes slowing down helps you avoid frustrating mistakes!
Where can I find out more about orienteering skills?
The best way to find out about orienteering is to come to a local event.
The British Orienteering Newcomers Guide is a helpful resource.
How can I get started?
The best way to get started is to come to a local event or try out a permanent or virtual orienteering course at anytime!
If you’ve enjoyed orienteering at local events, the Scottish Six Days is the perfect next step. Multi-day events add a whole new dimension to the sport. Here’s how to get ready:
- Build confidence: Start with beginner-friendly courses at local events to sharpen your navigation skills.
- Join a club: Many clubs offer training sessions and group outings, providing support for those ready for bigger challenges.
- Experience similar terrain: Participate in events with more varied or challenging landscapes to prepare for the terrain you’ll encounter in Scotland.
Take the leap and sign up for the Scottish Six Days today!
Whether you’re moving up from local events or trying orienteering for the first time, the Scottish Six Days offers an unforgettable experience.
Pack your compass and trainers, bring your sense of adventure, and we’ll see you on Royal Deeside this summer!
More questions? Check out our FAQs.