Rob Parkinson
Role: Day Organiser
Club: Moravian Orienteers
Rob’s role is to lead the organisation of Day 1 at Glen Feardar, working with a huge team of volunteers.
“I have been orienteering for over 30 years, and just love running around woods with a map in my hand. I have run for my club and country – as a Veteran, I hasten to add!
“The Scottish Six Days is a great holiday event, in exciting places throughout Scotland. The quality of orienteering is always excellent, and over the years that I have been coming to the event – it has been a pleasure to run in such amazing terrain. I am now looking forward to being able to play my part in running this year’s event.”
Elizabeth Furness
Role: Assistant Day Organiser
Club: Moravian Orienteers
Elizabeth’s role is supporting the Day Organiser and volunteer teams in all aspects of the day that are not in the forest – from parking to arena layout with toilets, traders, spectator areas, dog walk, string course, routes to starts, run-in, downloading and leaving.
“[I was] introduced to orienteering by my sister and loved it. A navigator rather than a runner, I nevertheless achieved a heady 9th place at a British Champs (a LONG time ago!).
“My son was also hooked and went through the junior squads to JWOC and thus I became drawn into organising camps, squad management and eventually coaching. I have coached several JWOC juniors over the years as well as the grass-roots club orienteers which I have thoroughly enjoyed.
“The S6D epitomises all that I love about our sport: a chance to get into quality terrain and enjoy the challenges of navigation; meet up with many friends from different areas and even countries; have time to explore an area. I have volunteered at several S6D events and was the Event Coordinator for Moray 2023.”
Peter McLuckie
Role: Planner
Club: Moravian Orienteers
“I am planning the courses for Day 1 at Glen Feardar East. I have to make sure everyone has fun. It’s a goldilocks approach – not too tough, not too easy and keep the competitors away from the bears. As there’s a high level of secrecy around the courses, I also have to put the controls out just before the event (in the right place) along with the other members of the small planning team. The plus side is that I get to go to Glen Feardar for several planning trips in advance. It’s a lovely area.
“I got into orienteering through my children who took to it with great enthusiasm. I have been orienteering for about 10 years. I haven’t risen to the heights of achievement that my children have and I am quite happy to bask in their glory. Maybe I can take some credit for their success after having chased them round White & Yellow courses for as long as I could keep up with them.
“S6D is a great opportunity to showcase what Scotland has to offer by way of great orienteering areas. I have helped out on the Moravian days in the past and was part of the welcome team each day during Moray 2023. That was a real taster of the amount of effort that goes into the event. It really is a mammoth undertaking. “
Finlay McLuckie
Role: Assistant Planner
Club: Moravian Orienteers
Finlay is Assisting the planning of day 1
“I got into orienteering through school at first, at maybe 6 or 7 years old, and have since then been lucky enough to represent Scotland and Great Britain at a national and international level through my 10 or so years in the sport.
“I have competed in the six days since 2015, and just simply love the atmosphere, of thousands of runners coming to quality areas across Scotland that bring variety, challenge and fun for everyone. I’m really proud to be giving back to that experience for everybody else this year, hopefully giving some fun courses too!”
David Esson
Role: Controller
Club: Grampian Orienteers
“[I’ve been] orienteering since 1987 when I was 8yo. Previous planner at Breadalbane 97, Deeside 17, Controller at Strathearn 19, Lochaber 21 and Technical Coordinator at Moray 23.”