It is a such a delight after over a year’s worth of planning to be here in (mostly) sunny Deeside watching all those plans come to fruition.

We would like to extend a huge thank-you to the entire team from Moravian Orienteers, Inverness Orienteering Club, St. Andrew’s Orienteering Club (Glasgow) & Loch Eck Orienteers who worked tirelessly yesterday to set up everything for the first day of the 6 Days and the fantastic job they did organising Day One.

Day Organiser Rob Parkinson said:

“Well, what a great start to the week. The promised showers barely materialized, and it was lovely to see the sun later in the day.

“Balmore Farm at Glen Feardar is an excellent setting for Days 1 and 2 of this year’s 6 Days.

“The participants seemed to enjoy the courses set up by our planners with the overwhelming sentiment that it was challenging but fun.”

Controller David Esson remarked:

“Seems everyone relished great courses from Peter and Findlay in very tough physical conditions. They put in a lot of very hard work and I’m glad it was well received.

“Also great thanks to Rob and Elizabeth (organisers) and their teams which made my job as controller much easier.”

Planner Peter McLuckie said:

“The feet are now up and the beer has been poured. Day 1 of Scottish 6 Days 2025 is a wrap. We were treated to such a well organised Day 1 today and Glen Feardar East did not disappoint with its bouldery ground, pesky bracken, hilly slopes and the odd burn to cool the feet in. The Scottish weather gave us a delightful mix of sunshine and refreshing showers.

“Our Day organising team did such a great job right from the get go with the parking squad marshalling all the traffic and the Start teams hauling all the equipment to remote locations, giving all of our orienteers a great opener to some challenging courses. We had some amazing traders offering sustenance throughout the day.

“We are so blessed in Royal Deeside with great orienteering locations surrounded by magnificent mountains and Scottish heritage (did you notice the ruins?). It was such a privilege to welcome people from around the UK and the Globe to the hidden gem that is Glen Feardar, It’s a planner’s paradise. What is even more satisfying is that we can welcome everyone back to the Glen again tomorrow!”

The weather truly welcomed us to Braemar on Day 3, with lovely sunny skies and virtually low wind.

Orienteers were treated with stunning views from the finish at the top of the hill and if you had a later start you may have spotted the paraglider swooping down towards the arena.

Feedback from participants were that they enjoyed the challenges of the courses and were pleased to have softer under foot to run on today.

Planners perspective from Dave, Clive and Ewart:

“While this is an excellent area for orienteering much of the hillside to the east of the map, well used in 2017, is now overgrown with high heather and was not suitable.  As this was a middle-distance race, however, the planners were able to focus on the very best bits of the forest, accessed by the slightly long walk to the starts.

“The forest did suffer from storm damage in winter 24/25 but very few areas became unusable as a result.  There were some tricky decisions on which of the many extraction lanes to show on the map; 12 months ago the forest looked like a bar code but the generally positive tone from the competitors suggested that we got those decisions about right.

“Enjoy the rest of your week.”

We’d like to extend our thanks to Invercauld Estate for allowing us to use their land for the first 3 days. Also a massive thank you to Neil Fraser whose fields we invaded today – thank you for looking after us!

It was a cooler day today than the boiling hot Rest Day, which probably came as a relief to our elites! Balfour was the first of two world ranking event days.

Day Four Organiser Dave Coustick said:

“All went well with key activities running to schedule. There was only a small delay to the Flower Ceremony.

What a day! What a week!

Today was the second of our two world ranking events and it was very exciting watching the elites coming in.

The weather kept dry but overwhelmingly the comments from orienteers over the finish line were positive about what great orienteering there was in Glen Dye today.

Day Organiser Colin Eades said:

“Everyone’s had good runs and we hope they feel they’ve had a good week.

“Thanks to the team of helpers and all the people that have helped to make the whole week a success.”

Day Organiser Janette McLeod added:

“My first time organising an event this size.

“It was great how everyone was willing to help to deliver a great day.

”Safe home. See you in 2027!”

It was a little cooler and windier than Day 4, but most seemed to enjoy the relief the overcast skies provided.

Planner Rob Hickling said:

“Most people seem to be smiling so I think it’s all going well.

“Plenty of happy people who have enjoyed their run and no grumpy people at the finish.”