Elite athletes from across the globe have navigated their way to the north-east of Scotland for the launch of one of this summer’s most eagerly anticipated summer events.
Crowds gathered in Forres last night to observe the first race in an international orienteering competition, which will continue at spots across the Highlands over the coming week.
About 400 competitors will cross some of the area’s most stunning landscapes as they compete for nine championship titles.
The World Orienteering Championships will run alongside the 20th edition of The Scottish 6-Days event.
Challenges will also take place at Inverness, Nairn, Glen Strathfarrar and Darnaway, with the contest concluding in Glen Affric next Saturday.
Around 5,300 orienteering club members and enthusiasts have arrived in the area for the occasion.
International Orienteering Federation president Brian Porteous yesterday met with locals in Forres as he prepared for the competition to get under way.
In anticipation for the event a number of local businesses had decorated their shopfronts with maps and other orienteering paraphernalia.
The championships’ event director, Paul McGreal, said: “These competitions will deliver an international festival of world-class orienteering, and they are aimed at everyone from elite and club athletes to enthusiastic spectators and visitors.
“The areas we are using for the races are amongst the finest that can be found anywhere in the world, and will provide a challenging test for the best of our athletes.”
Moray Council convener Allan Wright said: “I am delighted that the World Orienteering Championships have come to Moray and the Highlands.
“We will do all we can to welcome the competitors and the organisers and I am looking forward to attending some of the events myself.”
This marks the third time Scotland has hosted the World Orienteering Championships, with prior events in 1976 and 1999.