Keith

Event Summary

Update 28 October 2026.  The rescheduled date for the event has now been confirmed as Saturday 14 November 2026, to coincide with the regional event being hosted by INVOC at Dallaschyle on Sunday 15 November.  We hope that as many of you as possible will still be able to make the event that weekend.  SiEntries has been re-opened (see link in the section below), so you have option to cancel for a refund if you are unable to compete.  There is no need to take any further action with SiEntries if you entered before entries closed previously and plan on competing on Saturday 14 November.   

Finding a rescheduled date involved compromise, as no date was suitable without impact to other SOA events and the availability of officials for this event.  We apologise if you are affected, particularly those involved and wishing to take part in the Tinto event on the same day.  To mitigate, we are pleased to offer earlier start times, which may help those wishing to compete in the SOUL event and return for the Tinto night event later in the day.  

Finally, please note that there has been a change to the assembly location.  This will now be at the Longmore Community Hall.  This venue is slightly closer to both starts and the finish.  Full details are below. 

Prize giving for the 2026 SOUL series will take place in early 2027.

Scottish Orienteering Urban League - Event #6

Welcome to Round #6 of the Scottish Orienteering Urban League.  This time the event will be held at Keith which is an area new to orienteering. 

Positioned alongside the river Isla in the heart of malt whisky country, Keith offers a highly distinct, split-level orienteering challenge characterized by steep topography and historic town layouts.  The area covers narrow lanes, a grid structure of older buildings, newer housing developments and industrial complexes, such as the Strathisla distillery.  Unlike flatter, more uniform modern estates, Keith provides a rigorous test of both physical fitness and micro-navigation.

An extract of the map is shown below>

Keith Clip

Please note that this event takes place the day after the clocks go back one hour to GMT.

Courses close at 1.30 pm and all competitors must report to download by that time.

Urban
Regional
SI AIR
09:45-11:30 am
10:00-12:00 pm
1.30 pm
86952
On Leads
Online
SiEntries

Directions and Parking

From the West.   Take the A96 road towards Keith and continue over the old railway line.  At the junction of Banff Road (opposite the Harry Gow Bakery), turn left past the Longmore Community Hall and follow the road to the entrance to Keith Grammar School.  Turn right into the car park.  Registration and assembly will be at the Longmore Community Hall (w3ws:///outnumber.threaten.leap; NJ432507; nearest postcode AB55 5DN).  This will involve a 350m walk from the car park, towards the junction of the A96.  

From the East.  Take the A96 roads towards Keith and continue into the town.  At the junction of Banff Road (first right past the Dance school), turn right and follow the directions above.

Assembly.   Assembly will be at the Longmore Community Hall.  Assembly will provide:

  • Download.
  • Key drop.
  • Dibber Hire collection.
  • Course 7 maps, which must be collected to take to the start.
  • First Aid.
  • A place to leave kit.

Toilets.  There are toilets at the assembly.

Start and Finish

Start.  There will be two starts: red start for courses 1-6 and blue start for course 7.  Both starts will be approximately 150m from assembly. The routes will be taped in appropriate colours.  The route to the red start will cross the A96 road.  Though the road is restricted to 20 mph, it can be busy with traffic.  Please allow 10 mins to get to both starts. 

Please note that to ease the volunteer burden, the blue start (course 7) will be open from 10.00 to 11.45 am only.

Finish.  The finish will be approximately 150m from assembly.  The route will be marked.

Both the start and finish must be punched. Start times will not be allocated so please just turn up and run as directed by the starting official. 

Please ensure that you allow sufficient time to complete your course noting that courses close at 1.30 pm.  All courses have been designed to meet the targeted winning times and be within the range of estimated height adjusted optimum route lengths in BOF guidelines as per SOA rules.  

Courses

Seven courses.  Provisional course details with optimum route lengths are below.

  • Course 1 - MO, Open Course 1.  10.6 km, 115 m climb, 38 Controls.  Target winning time - 40-50 mins.
  • Course 2 - MV, WO, Open Course 2.  9.7 km, 100 m climb, 34 Controls.  Target winning time - 40-50 mins.
  • Course 3 - MSV, WV, Open Course 3.  7.8 km, 100 m climb, 31 Controls.  Target winning time - 35-45 mins.
  • Course 4 - MUV, WSV, Open Course 4.  6.5 km, 100 m climb, 28 Controls.  Target winning time - 35-45 mins.
  • Course 5 - M/WHV, WUV, Open Course 5.  4.5 km, 40 m climb, 23 Controls.  Target winning time - 30-40 mins.
  • Course 6 - M/W Junior 16-, Open Course 6.  5.3  km, 60 m climb, 23 Controls.  Target winning time - 20-30 mins.
  • Course 7 - M/W Junior 12-, Open Course 7.  2.0 km, 15 m climb, 16 Controls.  Target winning time - 15-20 mins.

Courses have been planned on a mixture of tarmac paths and roads (90-95%) and some open grassed areas of parkland (5-10%).  The parkland areas are not considered rough or tough to cross and the grass not long.  Road flats are suitable and highly recommended. 

All courses will cross the main A96 road that runs through the town. Though the road is 20 mph, it can be busy.  This road must only be crossed at the marked crossing places. There will be a 2-mins timed out crossing at these places, so please remember to punch the controls at either side of the road. 

Given the traffic density in Keith, with the area being virtually traffic-free and restricted to 20 mph, Juniors under the age of 16 on the day of the event may run unaccompanied.  Juniors under the age of 12 on the day of the event must run course 7.  

Terrain

Planner's Notes

The defining feature of Keith's terrain is its positioning on elevated ridges facing each other across the River Isla. The town is fundamentally split into distinct areas, separated by a winding river valley.  The heart of Keith features a tightly woven grid network of traditional roads, narrow lanes, and alleyways.  Away from the town centre, Keith offers newer residential estates and two distilleries.  These areas introduce irregular path networks, cul-de-sacs and a few more green spaces that break up the predictable grid rhythm of the old town centre.  

Artificial barriers will be in use and printed on the map via a purple line.  An example is shown below.  Please observe the barriers and do not pass through them.  The barriers will be marshalled.  Competitors routing across the barriers may be disqualified.

Artificial Barrier - Keith

1:4000m, with 5m contours.

Entry Details

Entries:

Open online, via SI Entries, from Wednesday 23 September and will close at 2359 hours on Wednesday 11 November 2026. 

Entries can also be edited/changed/cancelled until this closure again subject to map availability.

There will be limited entry on the day, subject to an extra £1 and map availability.

Entry Fees:

  • Senior Non-Member - £13.00. 
  • Senior SOA Member - £12.00.
  • Senior BOF Member - £11.00.
  • Junior/Student Non-Member - £8.
  • Junior/Student SOA Member - £7.50.
  • Junior/Student BOF Member - £7.

Prices rise by £2 seniors and £1 juniors/students from 12 October 2026.

SiEntries

Final Details

Safety Information

General.  Competitors take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety.

Other Participants and Pedestrians.  Participants are advised to be mindful of other competitors and users in narrow passageways (particularly entering them via a blind corner).

Road Hazard. 

  • Though the competition area in Keith is virtually traffic-free and restricted to 20 mph, participants are advised to be mindful of traffic and vehicles when crossing roads and, particularly, when exiting the narrow lanes and passageways that exit onto more substantial roads within the town centre. 
  • Caution runner signs will be in use at various locations to warn drivers, whilst the event is held on a Sunday when traffic density is less than usual.
  • Participants are advised that courses 1-6 will cross the main road (A96) passing through Keith.  Though the road is restricted to 20 mph, it may be busy.  Participants must be mindful of traffic and other road users and to cross with due care and attention. The A96 must be crossed at the designated crossing points (Pedestrian Crossings) marked on the map, where a timed-out section will be used.  Please remember to dib the controls on either side.
  • Given that the competition area is virtually traffic-free and restricted to 20 mph, participants may run unaccompanied.  Marshals will be present to monitor 16- and 12- junior competitors at the A96 crossing (course 6) and the two road crossing for course 7.  

Trip Hazard.  Participants are advised of potential trip hazards, including tree roots, stony and broken ground, litter, kerbs and steps.

Water Hazard.  Participants are advised that courses 1-4 will route across the river running south west-north east through the town.  Participants advised that the river is out of bounds and must not be entered or crossed except via bridges shown on map.

Event Officials

David Ritchie
Andrew Campbell
drhoneyhowe@gmail.com
Colin Salisbury

Ticks and Covid

Ticks

Risk Awareness:   Please be aware that ticks are common across many of the areas we run in and can carry infections such as Lyme Disease and Tick-Borne Encephalitis.  Ticks are active in the UK primarily from March to October, but year-round vigilance is recommended.

Prevention Strategies:   

  • Wearing full leg and abdomen cover in the forest.  
  • Applying insect repellent to exposed skin and clothing.
  • Checking yourself for ticks after your run.  Common areas for ticks include behind the knees, underarms, hairline, and any pressure points.
  • Considering vaccination against TBE, if visiting high-risk areas in Europe or Asia.

Tick Removal and Symptoms:   Consider using a tick removal tool to ensure the tick is removed quickly and completely.   If a tick has attached, it should be removed as soon as possible.

Health Action:  If symptoms develop, such as a rash or flu-like symptoms, individuals should seek medical advice promptly and mention the tick bite, as not all doctors may be familiar with the conditions.

Key Resources:

 

COVID-19 Guidance (Updated March 2025)

If you have symptoms of COVID or have tested positive to COVID, then do not attend the event or activity to help avoid spreading infection.