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Balmoral Success at Scottish Night Championships
A host of podium positions for Maroc
Maroc hosted the Scottish Night Championships at Balmoral on 25th February. The weather was cold with a few snow flurries but the conditions were excellent for night racing in complex terrain.
Calling all teachers
IntrO course for teachers after the Easter holidays 2023
We are hoping to run an IntrO course for teachers and others working with children such as scout leaders. This will take place after the Easter holidays 2023 and consists of two 3 hour sessions. At the end of the course, you will have all the skills and resources needed to teach the basics of orienteering to a group of children. There will be a minimal fee to help cover costs. Further information from the Maroc club secretary.
After school sessions to restart in March
Orienteering in Banchory and Aboyne
We are looking forward to restarting after school orienteering in Banchory and Aboyne. These sessions will take place on Thursdays starting on 16th March 2023. They will be suitable for children from P5 to S2, and will be organised through Active Schools. Look out for a message from Active Schools inviting you to sign up. Further information from the Maroc club secretary.
Maroc Take 2nd in CompassSport Trophy Final
The Trophy is the Annual UK Small Clubs Orienteering Competition.
Event held on Sunday 16th October 2022 at Tulliallan & Devilla, Fife. Hosted by Forth Valley Orienteers. Fifty Eight clubs competed in the Heats durung Feb/March this year and fifteen in Sunday's Final.
2021 Junior 6 week Challenge Activities
Maroc juniors have been set a series of indoor and outdoor activities to do during the January and February 2021 lockdown. These are available here.
Christmas Score Caper – Glen O’Dee, 20th December 2020
On the last Sunday before Christmas we are putting on a members-only score event type training session at Glen O Dee, Banchory. This will be a fun festive-themed caper aimed at our younger members and anyone else with good short-term memory! How many controls can you visit within a set time? And how many of these controls can you remember when you get back to base??! Bonus points will be awarded for fancy dress and for festive jokes that make the coaches laugh. We will meet at Burnett Park pavilion at 10.30 and walk together to the start, returning around 12pm. Maps will be provided and dibbers not required. Parking available by the tennis courts. Cost £3 adults and £1.50 children by donation to Maroc account. Any questions contact the organiser – .
We are limited to 30 participants so sign up here early to avoid disappointment.
Local event at Creag Choinnich, Braemar
Our next local event during daylight hours is on Sunday 8th November at Creag Choinnich, Braemar.
Due to Covid restrictions, the event is only open to Maroc, Gramp and AUOC members and there will be no entry on the day.
Entries are now open using this link and close on Sunday 1st November.
Bellwood Orienteering courses - 27th July to 9th August 2020
Start and Finish at shelter in Bellwood (GR NO 542 986) , parking at Bellwood carpark, on Aboyne side (GR: NO 538 987, Post Code: AB34 5GH)
Maps now available - click on the link for your colour course below.
Temp. course 1. Yellow/Orange standard; 3.4 km, 40m climb
Temp. course 2. Green/Blue standard; 5.3 km, 70m climb
The Yellow/Orange course follows paths and line features. Some paths are narrow and not suitable for buggies. Please do not run through the bike park. This is marked 'out of bounds'.
The Green/Blue course is technically and physically challenging due to rough ground and vegetation.
Planners: Jonas and Yann Newey
Don't forget to put the map in a plastic wallet or use waterproof paper.
There will be no control kites or timing equipment but the control locations, including start and finish will be marked by clear red and white tape.
Participants must ensure social distancing is maintained at all times, in line with current Government guidance. This is an individual activity so participants take part at their own risk. It is not covered by any orienteering insurance policy.
Don't forget to record your GPS route on Strava.com
Potarch Orienteering courses - 13th to 26th July 2020
Start and Finish on Potarch Green (GR: NO 607972, Post Code: AB31 4BE)
Maps now available - click on the link for your colour course below.
Temp. course 1. Yellow/Orange standard; 3.4 km, 90m climb
Temp. course 2. Green/Blue standard; 5.6 km, 135m climb
The Yellow/Orange course follows paths and line features. Not suitable for buggies as the ground is rough in places.
The Green/Blue course is technically and physically challenging due to rough ground and vegetation.
Planner: Nick Hale
Maps will be available for download from this page on Sunday 12th July. Don't forget to put the map in a plastic wallet or use waterproof paper.
There will be no control kites or timing equipment but the control locations, including start and finish will be marked by clear red and white tape.
Participants must ensure social distancing is maintained at all times, in line with current Government guidance. This is an individual activity so participants take part at their own risk. It is not covered by any orienteering insurance policy.
Don't forget to record your GPS route on Strava.com
Further courses in a new area will be available Monday 27th July.
Please support the Potarch Inn by the Green. They are open for pre-ordered takeaway food on Fridays and for coffee and snacks from 11am to 3pm Saturdays and Sundays.
Deeside Temporary Orienteering Courses - from 13th July
Starting with Potarch from Monday 13th July, there will be a new Deeside forest map every two weeks with Temporary Courses to run as you wish; socially distanced in your own time.
There will be no control kites or timing equipment but the control locations, including start and finish will be marked by clear red and white tape.
This is the first tentative step back into the forest. The SOA is working very hard with SportScotland on our behalf to define the criteria to be met for our second step which will be the resumption of Local Events. It comes at the time of the year when we don’t traditionally have events due to the holidays and the high ground vegetation, so it may be September before this happens. In the meantime, enjoy our temporary courses.
Talking of high vegetation, now is the season when ticks are most active in our forests, always with the threat of Lyme Disease. If you are out running, at Potarch for example, always take care to have full leg cover (no gaps!) and check for ticks when you finish.
Separate articles will be published for each temporary course, with more detail and a link for download of course maps.