The 2025 British Schools Orienteering Championships took place at Hopetoun House near Edinburgh last Sunday. Hosted by Edinburgh Southern Orienteering Club, just under 350 junior orienteers from 74 schools took part on a cold, but dry and sunny morning.
Written by Barry Elkington.
Organisers Emma Anderson and Jayne MacGregor used the grounds of the 18th century stately home to provide an impressive setting for the assembly area and finish, with just a short walk to the Boys and Girls starts.
Planner Martin Caldwell managed to successfully use the forests and fields to plan the eighteen different courses required. With 4 White, 4 Yellow, 4 Orange, 4 Light Green and 2 Green courses needed this was no easy task.
All images are credited to: Ray Barnes.
Their work was overseen by Controller Terry O’Brien BEM (STAG) who ensured everything went to plan.
Thanks to the event officials, and all the helpers from ESOC, ELO, FVO, INT and TAY who turned out to make the event such a success. Their reward was to see the tremendous enthusiasm and determination of all the runners who took part. Hopefully this will inspire them to return in 2026, when the Championships will take place at Heaton Park in Manchester.
Winning schools
Primary
- George Heriot's Junior School, Edinburgh
- Dunbar Primary School
- Dunblane Primary School
Middle-Preparatory
- Tynewater Primary School, Pathhead
- The Compass School
Small Secondary
- Breadalbane Academy
- Birkenhead School
Large Secondary
- Dunblane High School
- High Storrs, Sheffield
- Bradford Grammar School
The full set of individual and team results, along with a gallery of photographs, can be found on the BSOA website at: https://www.bsoa.org/Competition/National.
Reports from the event officials are on the ESOC website at: https://www.esoc.org.uk/events/hopetoun-house-sun-16-nov-2025.
Image below: Large secondary school prize-giving.
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