Route has special markers to help participants compare their results online

Perth:

A new course is hoped to bring in a flood of super-fit – and tech-savvy – visitors to a Tayside beauty spot.

Representatives from local youth groups gathered on Kinnoull Hill in Perth to try their hand at orienteering as the final stage of a joint project between Tay Landscape Partnership and the Tayside Orienteers club.

Those taking part were the first to orienteer on the newly refurbished permanent course, a facility which it is hoped will encourage more people to explore the area in a new way and gain increased confidence in their navigation skills.

The project has also seen the production of a new orienteering map of the area.

The permanent course consists of “controls”, special markers located around the forest which can be found by following a choice of routes on maps that can be downloaded free of charge or bought for a small fee from Perth shops.

The redesign of the course takes into account recent advances in technology and incorporates codes that can be scanned with Smartphones.

This helps orienteers upload their results to a website and compare them against those of others who have also logged their course. The “start” and “finish” points, plus the new map and codes, are located on the Forestry Commission Scotland shed near the Jubilee car park.

Ruth Bowbeer, learning and interpretation project officer with Tay Landscape Partnership, said the initiative will help more people to take advantage of what Kinnoull Hill has to offer.

“Collaborating with Tayside Orienteers on this exciting project has enabled the club to upgrade the course facilities, which are open for people of all ages and abilities to use,” she said.

“At the same time they will enjoy the beautiful setting at Kinnoull Hill.

“In training youth leaders to take young people out orienteering, these young people will learn new skills and in turn also be exploring the local landscape with purpose.”

The course is used for national and regional competitions, league events and training activities.

Tayside Orienteers celebrated their 30th anniversary recently with an event for more than 160 participants who used the new map.

Representatives from local youth groups gather on Kinnoull Hill to try their hand at a new orienteering course around the beauty spot.