Orienteering championship trophy goes to Whiting Bay

Whiting Bay pupils mapped their way to success to be crowned the overall winners of the annual Arran Orienteering Championship held recently at Brodick Castle.

More than 140 school children took part in this year’s championship which saw excited youngsters exploring the country park grounds in search of controls during a timed event.

Armed with a map and a list of the various controls, competitors made their way through the rhododendron walk near the coast all the way to the top of the castle property near the prehistoric roundhouse.

At the end of the day, once all of the totals had been added, a prize-giving ceremony was held on the castle steps. Medals were awarded to the top three positions in each age group with trophies being awarded for P4/5 boys and girls, P6/7 girls and boys and S1/S2 girls and boys.

Whiting Bay pupils received the highest number of top positions and secured the inter-school award, beating off fierce competition from Brodick Primary which was the title holder for two consecutive years.

Organiser and deputy manager of the Arran Outdoor Centre Andy McNamara said: ‘I am thrilled to see so many children thoroughly enjoying another orienteering championship. Thank you to each and every participant who have all helped to make this event such a success. Thank you to Brodick Castle and Coun-

try Park for providing the stunning venue and Ayrshire Orienteering Club for all of the help in setting up and logistics.

Finally well done to Whiting Bay for their well-deserved win.’

A selection of the top Arran competitors will now take part in the Ayrshire Schools Championships at Dean Park, Kilmarnock later this month.

Full results: P4/5 girls: 1 Rosie McNamara, Kitty Townsend; 2 Emma Fleming, Ruby Winship; 3 Lisa Henderson; 4 Tilda Litton, Caylyn Millar; 5 Eilidh McNeish, Poppy Smith.

P4/5 open: 1 Oscar Urquhart-Dixon, Harrison Ross; 2 Fergus West, Jamie Worthington; 3 Ewan Morrison; 4 Fraser Ferguson, Andrew McKelvie, 5 Myles Lindsay-Smith.

P6/7 girls: 1 Jemma Totty, Kaitlyn Haddow; 2 Beth McCarthy, Lily Currie, Abby Stewart; 3 Rosie Wilkinson, Annie West; 4 Isabella Reid, Izzi Buckby 5 Caitlin Fraser, Catie MacArthur.

P6/7 open: 1 Ross Currie, Charlie Ross; 2 Jesse Townsend, Eden Robertson; 3 Ruaridh Lindsay-Smith, Oscar Inglis; 4 Alfie Robinson; 5 Jack Popplewell, Wiktor Jablonski.

S1/2 girls: 1 Daisy McNamara; 2 Megan McCartney, Isla McKelvie; 3 Julie Hamill, Laila Webster.

S1/2 open: 1 Euan Kinniburgh, Erin McNiven.

01_B20orient14 Winning Whiting Bay Primary pupils show their delight at winning the Arran Orienteering Championship.

All of the participants at the Arran Orienteering Championship.

Strategy in place, these two girls set off with a plan of action and excited determination. 01_B20orient04

01_B20orient03 Timekeepers Eleanor McNamara and Davie Nichol keep a close eye on proceedings.

With no time for obstacles these boys run and leap over a puddle. 01_B20orient06

Winners in the P4/5 girls’ category. 01_B20orient09

Winners in the P4/5 boys’ category. 01_B20orient10

Winners in the P6/7 girls’ category. 01_B20orient11

01_B20orient02 Participants set off at speed to find as many controls as possible in the shortest amount of time.

01_B20orient01 Armed with their control cards and maps, competitors await the countdown for their start time.

01_B20orient12 Winners in the P6/7 boys’ category.

01_B20orient13 Euan Kinniburgh in the open category joins the winning girls of the S1/2 category.

01_B20orient05 Running in all directions, children search for controls in the woodland.