Scots doggies hoping to hound the Auld Enemy

Fur Nations canine cross-country heads for Glamis Castle

An energetic army of canines and their companions is readying itself to repel the challenge of Auld Enemy invaders in the historic setting of Glamis Castle this weekend.

In what will be a return visit of one of the country’s fastest-growing sports, the turreted landmark will play host to three days of canine cross-country as Team Scotland bids to take the lead in the chase for the Fur Nations championship crown.

The pursuit pits owners and their pets against each other on a five or 10km challenge through the castle grounds, with almost 150 pairings signed up for the second event in Angus after a fantastic reception to the spectacle last year from both castle chiefs and visitors to the Earl of Strathmore’s family seat.

Owners wear a waist belt with a twometre bungee cord attached to their pooch’s padded harness so the pair can work in harmony on the course.

And the host nation is going all-out to bag maximum points from three days of competition, which get under way on Saturday ahead of the championship showdown south of the border next month.

Scottish team organiser Karen Connal said: “Canicross is a sport for everyone, fast and slow, and dogs little and large.

“The first leg of the Fur Nations was in Wales over the Easter weekend and the Scottish team is lying in second place, behind Wales and ahead of England.

“The final leg is at Cannock Chase in England in May but everyone has been really inspired by how well we did in Wales and we are hoping that by the end of this weekend we’ll be in an unbeatable position.

“Glamis Castle was a great setting for it last year and the course was really good, so we are really looking forward to coming back there and having new people and their dogs who have never done canicross before,” added Karen.

The sport has been around in the UK for more than a decade but interest in it has exploded in recent years.

Karen added: “We only had 28 in Wales but for the Saturday there are 101 Scottish team members registered.

“It should be quite exciting – and maybe very noisy – so we’re looking forward to a great event.”

Canicross is a sport for everyone, fast and slow, and dogs little and large

Picture: Kris Miller. The Courier’s Gayle Ritchie and dog Toby try out canine cross-country for themselves.