Ardchattan

Near: Oban

Grid ref. NM 969364

Terrain: This extensive area on the north shores of Loch Etive is mainly open hillside with good contour detail. The lower slopes are affected by bracken during the summer and early autumn. Above this the heather covered moorland gives good running with few man-made navigational aids to make for challenging orienteering.

Notes:

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Ardkinglas

Near: Cairndow

Grid ref. NN 170098

Terrain: This area is a hill slope on the east side of upper Loch Fyne and is part of the Ardkinglas Estate. An extensive path network makes this area suitable for TD 1 - TD 3 courses, with scope for up to TD 5 courses through the plantation areas. This is a working forest and as such is subject to changes.

Notes:

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Ardnaskie

Near: Taynuilt

Grid ref. NM 964333

Terrain: The detailed contours in this undulating area give excellent challenges at TD 4 and TD 5. The broadleaved woodland is a mixture of mature oak and younger birch thickets. There are spreading thickets of 'rhodies' in the NW of the area. Underfoot the ground is tussocky and heavy-going as it is grazed by cattle all year round.

Notes:

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Aros Park, Mull

Near: Tobermory

Grid ref. NM 520540

Terrain: TBA

Notes:

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Benmore Gardens

Near: Dunoon

Grid ref. NS 140857

Terrain: Botanical Gardens with intricate path network

Notes:

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Bishops Glen

Near: Dunoon

Grid ref. NS 161766

Terrain: The former reservoir area for Dunoon has a network of paths which are well-used by local people. The hillside is covered with commercial plantation which is generally thick.

Notes:

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Bridgend, Islay

Near: Bridgend

Grid ref. NR 337624

Terrain: TBA

Notes:

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Castle Gardens

Near: Dunoon

Grid ref. NS 175764

Terrain: A 'thumbnail' area in Dunoon. Careful navigation is required to quickly and successfully complete courses as visibility is varied.

Notes:

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Creag Mhic

Near: Connel

Grid ref. NM 933322

Terrain: Mainly broadleaved woodland, interspersed with open areas; areas of marsh aid navigation. The whole area is covered by an abundance of contour detail creating detailed undulating terrain. Wonderful terrain that should be visited at least once in an orienteer's lifetime!

Notes:

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Dunollie/Ganavan

Near: Oban

Grid ref. NM 865325

Terrain: A generally runnable area made up of series of hills to the north of Oban with some very fast going over the sheep grazed farmland in the centre of the area. Gorse bushes reduce visibility in places.

Notes:

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Dunstaffnage

Near: Dunbeg

Grid ref. NM880342

Terrain: A great area for short courses, especially around Dunstaffnage Castle, where it is contained by natural boundaries and yet has relatively low visibility in summer. The open moorland gives a good introduction to using contours. The area extends to the south on the Dunollie/Ganavan map.

Notes:

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Fearnoch

Near: Taynuilt

Grid ref. NM 962318

Terrain: A large area of commercial plantation with a network of forest roads. Map is path and off-path. The area is most suited to courses up to TD 3 (including Red) and bike-O

Notes:

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Glenbranter

Near: Strachur

Grid ref. NS 111976

Terrain: A steep hillside covered with varying ages of plantation forestry. Bracken in felled areas. The forestry area is being developed for recreation with paths being added for walking and mountain biking. The rough open area to the north is grazed by cattle.

Notes:

Permanent Course available.
Download a copy of the course map and instructions
Answers (to be read after you have completed a course)

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Glendaruel

Near: Glendaruel

Grid ref. NS 014817

Terrain: An area of farmland (pasture) and birch trees sandwiched between the road and the river. Marshes can be treacherous if the river has recently flooded.

Notes:

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Glendaruel CP

Near: Glendaruel

Grid ref. NR 999869

Terrain: Glendaruel Caravan Park is an ideal area to introduce the complexities of map-reading to beginners. In winter there is less undergrowth and visibility is increased.

Notes:

Permanent course available.
Download a copy of the course map and instructions
Answers (To be read when you have completed the course)

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Inveraray

Near: Inveraray

Grid ref. NN 093097

Terrain: The mapped area has a variety of terrain. Around Inveraray Castle the land is flat with fields for grazing. On the lower slopes of Dun na Cuaiche there is an extensive network of paths amongst broadleaf woodland. There is also a lot of historical interest with the remains of a ‘camp’ from WW2 and an old lime kiln. Further north, and also higher up the hill, the woodland gives way to coniferous plantation. The slopes are steeper and care is required if underfoot conditions are wet. The northern edge of the map is rough open hillside which is grazed by cattle and sheep; as this area is quite wet, the underfoot conditions are broken and marshy.

Notes:

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Inverawe

Near: Taynuilt

Grid ref. NN 024321

Terrain: An area of many terrain types which is bordered by plantation forestry to the east. An intricate path network in the south around the ponds and through the surrounding broadleaved woodland. To the north the land rises steeply over a broadleaved-covered hillside which opens onto contoured, tussocky moorland where it is easy to make parallel mistakes. Clumps of gorse bushes reduce visibility at times.

Notes:

Permanent course available

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Kerrera

Near: Oban

Grid ref. NM 810281

Terrain: An exciting area on an island just SW of Oban. Open moorland running with interesting contour detail supported by patches of intricate rock features. Few man-made handrails but many natural ones aid navigation. On a clear day take time to look at the wonderful views over the Firth of Lorn to the Island of Mull.

Notes:

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Kilmory

Near: Lochgilphead

Grid ref. NR 872866

Terrain: Detailed mapping in the south around the loch and the house where there is a detailed network of paths and runnable areas. Path and off-path in the north of the map which is mainly varying ages of plantation forestry; route choice is a critical feature of well-planned legs in this area.

Notes:

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Kilmun

Near: Dunoon

Grid ref. NS 164823

Terrain: A deceptively steep hillside with a network of paths criss-crossing it. This area was established as an arboretum by the Forestry Commission in the 1930's and it is possible to count over 130 varieties of trees! A physically hard area after heavy rain.

Notes:

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Lochgoilhead

Near: Lochgoilhead

Grid ref. NN 205012

Terrain: A steep, tussocky and marshy hillside above the village of Lochgoilhead. The many large crags require careful navigation. The mapped crags include the local landmark of 'The Steeple'. Most of the dark green shows areas of 'rhodies'.

Notes:

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Oban

Near: Oban

Grid ref. NM 860302

Terrain: A 1:5000 street map of part of the town which includes the hill with McCaig's Tower on the top.

Notes:

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Puck’s Glen

Near: Dunoon

Grid ref. NS 147839

Terrain: A steep hillside, mainly covered with thick plantation sitka spruce, runs along the west edge of the area. The area in the NE of the map has varied with contour detail and vegetation changes. This part of the map is subject to change with on-going recreational developments by the Forestry Commission. For terrain details of the area in the SE of the map look at the Kilmun map.

Notes:

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Strachur

Near: Strachur

Grid ref. NN 096016

Terrain: This map divides into two separate areas: the open hillside is tussocky (quite heavy going, especially if there has been a lot of rain!). The lower area around the river is part of the grounds of Strachur House with a path network, some open and runnable fields and clumps of 'rhodies'.

Notes:

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Sutherland’s Grove

Near: Barcaldine

Grid ref. NM 970420

Terrain: Path and 'off-path' map. Mainly plantation forest of varying age. Area is most suitable for up to TD3 courses (including Red) and bike-O.

Notes:

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