“On behalf of the Scottish Orienteering 6-Day Company, I would like to welcome you to our 25th event and to Royal Deeside which has hosted four of the previous events, the last in 2017. As well as the orienteering, including sprint and mountain bike races, there is a full social problem to enjoy and a wide range of activities and attractions to experience in the area.
“Whether you are a ‘first-timer’ or have been to all 24 previous events, we hope you enjoy the week and the courses in the wonderful terrain offered by Deeside, whatever your level of ability and fitness. We are sure that you will relish the challenges set by the planners and appreciate the beauty of the area and would love to see you again in two years time for the 50th anniversary of our first event in 1977.”
David Kershaw
Chair – Scottish Orienteering 6 Day Event Company
“On behalf of the Organising Team I would also like to welcome you to Royal Deeside 2025. The event is the culmination of two years of effort by a large team of volunteers from clubs across Scotland who have planned over 120 courses for 2500 competitors. This is a holiday event and we have also tried to provide those extras that make a great orienteering festival: great arenas, local traders, attractive merchandise and a full social programme. We hope you have a great week of friendly competition and maybe also get the opportunity to watch and cheer on some of the elites in our sport who will be competing in World Ranking Events on Days 4 and 5.
“To put on the event we are indebted to the goodwill of many people. In particular we would like to thank the landowners, farmers and local residents who have allowed us to use their land for competitions, arenas and parking. We would also like to thank the local communities who have accepted us into their midst and the local orienteering clubs, Mar Orienteering Club and Grampian Orienteers, for letting us use some of their best forests.
“During the week over 700 volunteers will deliver the event. Most are from Scottish orienteering clubs, although we have some much appreciated help from outside Scotland. Following closely on the heels of delivering the successful Sprint World Orienteering Championships in 2024 this is a massive effort and I would like to thank everyone for their time, commitment and enthusiasm. If you get a chance please thank them as this is their holiday as well.
“Mind an’ hae a rare tear aboot!”
Richard Oxlade
Event Co-ordinator