Tayside Orienteers

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Tayside Spring 1 2026

Image of the The Hermitage map

Open Local event

Sat 07th Mar 2026

Last updated: 01st Feb
Type of event: Local
Type of terrain: Forest
Read more about the mapped area

Info

This is first event in the Tayside series for 2026.

Train on Perthshire terrain for the JK. Combine with STAG postponed Score event at Faskally, Pitlochry on Sunday 8th Feb.


Venue is Hermitage and Craigvinean forests near Dunkeld.T

he terrain is rough in places, particularly on the Green and Light Green courses, which cross areas with fallen trees, and some steep slopes with rocks and crags. Some recent tree fall has resulted in new areas of windblow which are not all mapped, although courses are planned to avoid the worst areas. The area is also generally wet and marshy following recent rain.
All courses will go through busy areas used by the public for walking and mountain biking, and runners should pay attention. Courses have been planned to avoid the busiest mountain bike tracks, but runners on Green and Light Green may need to cross trails. Please cross these with care, and avoid running along them.
One path has been closed to the public due to fallen trees- this is marked as out of bounds on the map, and should not be used- it is not on the optimum route for any courses. 
 

Location

Nearest town: Dunkeld

Pre event information

Full body cover and a WHISTLE required.

Under current rules competitors who are not SOA or BOF members will not be insured.

NOTE - TAKE CARE - The River Braan in the south of the area is dangerous in places. Do not leave the path to approach the river. Warn all children in your care. There are places where it looks like a good play area. Children going there should only do so with an adult. 

There are dangerous crags and some dangerous areas of tree brashings left after felling. Do not climb on any timber stacks. 

LOST - Go south until you reach the R Braan, follow down stream until you reach the Hermitage car park. Follow signs from A9 entry to event parking. 

Club risk assessment has been completed. Prepare a personal risk assessment.

Parts of the area, especially around the Hermitage Falls and the Pine Cone path are very popular with the public – walkers and mountain bikers. Please be aware of others and maintain your distance. Give way to members of the public on narrow paths and at gates or stiles. 

The terrain is very varied and rough in places.

Directions / Parking

Getting there -

The National Trust Hermitage area of the A9 past Dunkeld.if travelling north.

Parking is located in a field to the north of The National Trust for Scotland Hermitage Car Park, Dunkeld.

Please only use the designated field for parking.

From the South from Dunkeld continue north along the A9 from Dunkeld and the Hermitage car park is signposted on the left. 

From the North Approach towards Dunkeld on the A9 before reaching Dunkeld you will cross the Jubilee bridge and approximately 2km after the Jubilee Bridge, The Hermitage will be signed on the right and there is a lane for crossing. 

Once in the Hermitage turn immediately right and head up the hill towards the upper car park. Continue through the upper car park up the forest track for approximately 500m towards the FLS car park. Once at the top of the hill the car parking field is located on the left. £2/car will be collected at the gate.

Facilities

Toilets available at Birnam Arts (and coffee) and in Dunkeld's North Car Park.

There will be one toilet unit next to car parking.

Registration & Start Times

Registration - in the car park - for any on the day entries, picking up yellow course maps and hired dibbers.

Open 10:30  Starts from 11am until 12:30

Si dibbing will be used including electronic SIAC dibbing.

Anyone who has not got a dibber can book to use a club dibber at entries. These will not be electronic.

Both the start and finish require manual starting procedure.

Follow tapes.

Course Information

The Hermitage is a very scenic varied commercial coniferous forest which is very popular with the public, please respect other users of the forest and stay alert for mountain bikers, dogs and traffic, particularly around the car parks. It is rough in places, but most of the overgrowth has died back

Details (may change slightly)

Start 300m from carpark

Finish next to carpark field

There are 4 courses- Green, 5.4km 240m climb;     Light Green 4.2km 150m climb,      Orange 2.7km 110m;        Yellow 1.8km 60m.

Yellow course competitors should collect their map from registration. Other maps at the start.

Explanation of colour courses

  • White are very easy with all controls on paths. They are mainly used by 6-10 year olds and family groups.
  • Yellow use simple linear features like paths, walls and streams. They are mainly used by under 12’s and family groups.
  • Orange progress to basic use of the compass and route choice. They are ideal for novice adults or experienced youngsters.
  • Light Green are ideal for improvers as the navigational difficulty begins to increase and uses simple contours and point features.
  • Green are used mostly by experienced under 18’s and adults wanting a short but challenging course with a very hard navigational difficulty.
  • Blue are a longer, more physically demanding course in comparison to the green. The distances are more varied between controls and the course attracts experienced orienteers.
  • Brown & Black are very physically demanding and have a very hard navigational difficulty. They are for experienced orienteers only.
  • Score means visiting as many controls as possible in any order in a specific time, like 45mins.

Entry Details

Si entry on line ....

Entries open ........ Entries close 

Fees Senior - BOF £8. Junior/Student £4  SOA £9/ £5 Non-members £10 / £6

Contacts / Officials

Organiser Bill Melville 07365 436036 or 01350 727048

Planner - Alistair Duguid (with junior Carl Selmer Duguid)

Dogs allowed?

Dogs can be walked or left tied/in car at the car park No dogs on the courses.

Safety and Risk

A comprehensive risk assessment will have been carried out by the organiser, but participants take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety during the event.

Keep It Clean campaign - Forestry Commission Scotland

Our forests are at risk from tree pests and diseases. These can dramatically affect the health of our trees, upsetting the delicate ecosystem balance and devastating large areas of woodland.
Pests and diseases hitch a ride in mud and debris on shoes, paws and tyres, ending up in new forests. Here, they can spread rapidly in environments with no natural resilience.
Read more about this on the FCS website.

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