Keith

Event Summary

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 whiskey 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.

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

Directions and Parking

Directions

From the West.   Take the A96 road towards Keith and continue over the old railway line.  At the junction of x, turn left and follow the road to the entrance to Keith Grammar School.  Turn right and into the cafe park. Registration and assembly will be at the Keith Sports and Community Centre.

From the East.  Take the A96 roads towards Keith and continue into the town.  At the junction of x, turn right and follow the directions above.

Assembly.   Assembly will be at the Keith Sports and Community Centre.  Assembly will provide:

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

Toilets.  There are toilets at the assembly.

Start and Finish

Start.  The start will be approximately x m from assembly. The route will be taped. Please allow x mins to get to the start. 

Finish.  The finish will be approximately x m from assembly.

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. 

At registration

Courses

Seven courses:

  • Course 1 - MO, Open Course 1.
  • Course 2 - MV, WO, Open Course 2.
  • Course 3 - MSV, WV, Open Course 3.
  • Course 4 - MUV, WSV, Open Course 4.
  • Course 5 - M/WHV, WUV, Open Course 5.
  • Course 6 - M/W Junior 16-, Open Course 6.
  • Course 7 - M/W Junior 12-, Open Course 7.

All courses will be run on a mixtures of tarmac/asphalt paths and some open areas of parkland. 

Road flats are suitable and highly recommended.

Terrain

Planner's Notes

The heart of Keith features a tightly woven grid network of traditional roads, narrow lanes, and alleyways. This area requires fast, short-distance decision-making to avoid dead ends and optimize route choices. Transitioning away from the old town centre, competitors navigate newer residential estates. These areas introduce irregular path networks, cul-de-sacs, and green spaces that break up the predictable grid rhythm and force map contact. The area also incorporates local industrial areas, most notably the historic Strathisla distillery grounds. These sections add unique obstacles, complex building outlines, and distinct features that test a competitor's micro-navigation under pressure.

The defining feature of Keith's terrain is its positioning across elevated ridges facing each other across the River Isla. The town is fundamentally split into distinct areas, separated by a winding river valley.  Courses 1-5 will force competitors to tackle climb and descents as they transition between the lower riverside zones and the higher residential ridges.  

Entry Details

Entries:

Open online, via SI Entries, from Wednesday 23 September and will close at 2359 hours on Monday 19 October 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

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

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

Juniors aged under 16 on the day of the event must be accompanied (rather than merely shadowed) by a responsible adult.

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

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

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.