FVO British Night Championships

Forth Valley Orienteers are delighted to host the 2025 British Night Championships, making use of the legendary forest at Touch near Stirling.   

Terrain
The forest is a mix of mature deciduous and plantation, runnable with highly complex terrain.  The longer courses will include several legs on the muir above.  The area has recently been re-mapped by Martin Bagness.  

Start times

Start times are expected to be between 17:30 and 20:00, courses will close at approximately 21:45.

Logistics

Event parking is at Castleview Park and Ride.  There is no parking at the event area.  There will be shuttle buses from here to Touch, buses will run every 15 minutes and take approximately 10 minutes to reach the assembly area.

The route to the start for the shorter courses is approximately 400m with 25m ascent and includes a steep bank on slippery ground.

The route to the start for the longer courses is approximately 2km with 150m ascent along a forest track.  We recommend that you allow at least 30 minutes from the drop off point.

The route from the finish back to the assembly area is approximately 600m along a public road with marshalled crossing points.

To manage capacity on the shuttle buses, competitors will be allocated a bus time that will give sufficient time to reach the start.

Minimum experience requirements

This is a night event in a TD5 area in Scotland in the middle of winter.  There will be navigational and terrain challenges and the weather may be poor.  Experienced night orienteers will find the event challenging.  This is not an event to "have a go" - either at night orienteering or at running up to a longer course.  Please be realistic about your ability and fitness when selecting your course.  We recommend that you have completed a minimum of 5 night events in TD5 terrain to enter and a minimum of 10 night events to compete in your age category.  This is particularly important for juniors and those new to night orienteering.  If in doubt please contact the organiser (particularly if you or your child is under 16 and intending to run up).  As always - competitors attend at their own risk.

Jackets, whistles and spare torches will be mandatory, there will be a kit check. 

Facilities

There will be toilets, a marquee for clothing dump, results and shelter at the event area.   There will be toilets and limited shelter at the park and ride.  We hope to have traders at the park and ride.

Full details can be found on the event mini-website can be found at www.britishnightchamps.org.uk

Note that there is a regional UKOL-ranking event on Sunday at nearby Plean Country Park.