Forests in Moray will be a hive of activity at the end of July as Forestry and Land Scotland once again plays host to the Scottish Orienteering 6-Days Event.  

Featuring five events between Monday 31 July and Friday 4 Aug, four of the five competition routes will be in FLS-managed Lossie, Roseisle and Culbin Forests. 

The bi-annual event (which last visited Moray in 2013) is the largest event of its kind in the UK, and will welcome over 3000 competitors, their families and friends. 

Event organiser, Elizabeth Furness (Moravian Orienteers), said;  

“Our 6-Day events are very accessible and family-friendly and people of all skill levels and ages are welcome to take part. As well as the elite athletes from around Europe, we’ve got age classes from under 10s to over 85s years and above! And for the very young, there will also be a ‘string course’ to give them their first taster experience of orienteering. 

“There is some serious competition there for those that like that challenge but the event is also about just having fun and enjoying an amazing experience. Orienteering makes you look at a landscape differently and it’s a fantastic way of getting to see and explore some of Scotland’s finest destinations.  

“Local businesses will benefit from so many visitors coming to the area and forest visitors will hardly notice any impact or disruption at all.” 

The rest day on Wednesday 2nd August has smaller events, such as the urban sprint race in Forres and the trail orienteering activities in Roseisle.  There will also be some mountain bike orienteering happening on three days.  

Event car parking is located on neighbouring land so as not to overwhelm FLS visitor car parks, and event infrastructure within the forests - orienteering control units and a start/finish line – is kept to an absolute minimum.  

Each day is set up as an individual event with participants opting to enter any or every day and choosing the course that is appropriate for them.  

Top level competitors will compete in all five events with their cumulative times making up their score. All other competitors are scored per event with their overall score being the sum of their best four scores. 

FLS’ Regional Visitor Services Manager, Justin Livesey, said;  

“It’s great to welcome back the 6-Day orienteering event. It was a great hit last time around and I’ve no doubt that everyone taking part will find our forests to be an amazing setting.  

“There will be a lot of first-time visitors to the area, too, who once they’ve seen what Moray has to offer and experienced this fantastic event will be great ambassadors for this part of Scotland.” 

The event is overseen by the Scottish Orienteering 6-Day Event Company, and organised by all of Scotland’s orienteering clubs with additional assistance provided, where required, by other UK clubs and individuals. 

Notes to editors

1. Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) manages forests and land owned by Scottish Ministers in a way that supports and enables economically sustainable forestry; conserves and enhances the environment; delivers benefits for people and nature; and supports Scottish Ministers in their stewardship of Scotland's national forests and land.

2. forestryandland.gov.scot | twitter.com/ForestryLS

3. Media enquiries to Paul Munro, Media Manager, Forestry and Land Scotland Media Office 07785 527590 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.