World Orienteering Day (WOD) Activities

Fun activities to introduce you to orienteering

Wed 15th May 2019

Info updated: 15th May
Type of event: Other
Type of terrain: Parkland

Results

There are no results from this event.  It was a day of orienteering related activities designed to introduce newcomers to orienteering.

General Information

The aim of World Orienteering Day (WOD) is to involve as many people as possible all over the world in orienteering activities and events.  On WEDNESDAY 15th MAY during the daytime ESOC is putting on range of fun activities related to orienteering. These are free to enter and take part in.  In the early evening we are putting on a local event with a range of courses for all skill levels.  Entry fees apply to this local event. 

The orienteering activities in Edinburgh will be in Holyrood Park, centred on the big green space east of Holyrood Palace and north of the road which runs through the Park.  

TIMES: Activities will be available between 10.30am and 2.30pm.  

ACTIVITIES CENTRE: You will recognise where to come to by looking out for Scottish Orienteering banners and a feather banner in red and green with ESOC written on it. There will also be a tent close to the banners and you will also see the activities going on.

BRINGING A GROUP OF 10 OR MORE?:  PLEASE EMAIL IN ADVANCE TO:   to make suitable arrangements.

Location

Nearest town: City of Edinburgh

• Grid Ref:
• Postcode: EH8 8DX
• Latitude: 55.946214
• Longitude: -3.161742
• Google Map (aerial) - Bing Map (OS)

Directions

Head for the big green space at the North side of Holyrood Park within sight of the Ranger centre and toilets.  This is between Holyrood Palace and the park exit at the Meadowbank end of the park. Check Lothian Buses for information about suitable buses. 

Parking may be available within the park or in the surrounding streets.  Please check the Holyrood Park website for up to date information about which roads and car parking is available on 15th May.  This website includes useful information about how to reach the Park.  NOTE that we now understand that the large car park next to the Palace will be closed on Wednesday 15th.

When you reach the green space look out for Scottish Orienteering banners, the ESOC feather banner and a tent which will be the centre of activities.

Registration & Start Times

TIMES: Come along and register to take part in any or all of the activities on offer.  These will be available between 10.30am and 2.30pm.

Course Information

ACTIVITIES ON OFFER 

MAZE - Find your way around the maze using the specially prepared map.  There are controls sites within the maze (made up of posts and tape) for you to find in the corrct order.  Suitable for everyone, including very young children.

FUN ORIENTEERING GAMES - Various games to introduce you to orienteering and the skills involved.  Especially suitable for children but everyone is welcome.

SHORT EASY ORIENTEERING COURSE - Try your hand at an easy orienteering course using a specially prepared map.

If you are an experienced orienteer or if you are enthused by the activities and want to try out 'proper' orienteering, there is a local event taking place later the same day but based near Dunsapie Loch within Holyrood Park.  More information about this more formal event, with a range of courses of differing length and difficulty, is here.

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

FREE FOR EVERYONE.  Just come along between the times shown and register.  You can then take part in the activities on offer.

NOTE: IF YOU WISH TO BRING A GROUP OF MORE THAN 10 please email:    in advance to make arrangements.

Contacts / Officials

Email Judy at: 

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.

Privacy: when entering our events your name may appear in the results section of this website or in newspaper reports.
Read our privacy policy to see how we look after your personal data.

Image Gallery

Click the image for a larger version.