Mapping
Based in Glasgow, I taught myself how to make orienteering maps during the Covid lockdown of 2020 as a way to keep on orienteering and have made about a dozen maps since that time. The vast majority of these maps are now used for the Clydeside Orienteers (CLYDE) although I am currently working on a new map of the Emmerdennen for Hoc'93 and have updated ECKO's map of Creag Mhic Chailein while planning for the 2023 Scottish Individual Championship. My preference is for rough Scottish terrain (forests, marshes, muirs, hills) although I have made the odd urban/sprint map.
Maps are made with the latest version of OCAD, using LiDAR data combined with aerial photography. Where possible other data sources are used such as infrared photography & vector maps (for example, the Netherlands is well supplied) as well as old maps. A base map is typically produced in about a day but extensive surveying is required for the important details. Surveying is carried out using modern GNSS with a resolution/accuracy of ~0.5m.
An example urban sprint map: M8dness an ISSprOM 2019-2 map of the area around/under the M8 motorway in Glasgow used for a June 2022 CLYDE event. Dundasvale Court provides multi-level orienteering.
An example classic forest map: map of Mugdock Country Park north of Milngavie used for a June 2023 CLYDE evening event. Detailed vegetation was mapped initially using LiDAR data and subsequently optimised by numerous recces using GNSS.
Orienteering maps and courses in and around Glasgow
2024
- Auchengillan: updated for CLYDE.
- Croy Hill: Major update of existing CLYDE map to be used for SoSOL in September 2024.
- Doon Hill & Fairy Knowe: Major update of the lovely CLYDE Doone Hill & Fairy Knowe map, georeferenced, using 1m LiDAR-based DTM. See also this CLYDE page
- Kelvin N: Glasgow's Garscube Campus, Dawsholm Park, Kelvindale, the Wyndford, Botanic Gardens orienteering maps (2022-24) Major ISSprOM 2019-2 redraw and extension for 2024.
- Rouken Glen: New map of Rouken Glen Park and golf course for CLYDE used March '24.
2023
- Mugdock: Completely redrawn 2023 map of Mugdock Country Park, Dumbrock Woods, Craigallian Estate, and Carbeth.
- West End: Gilmorehill and Kelvingrove Park orienteering map
- Emmenerdennen: The Emmerdennen near Emmen in the Netherlands is a sandy area covered in forest. Special challenge is the flatness compared to Scottish terrain requiring special care in editing contour lines. Map for Hoc'93, in progress, used for a training event in 2023 and to be used for a bigger event in 2025.
2022
- M8dness: ISSprOM 2019-2 map of Garnethill and Dundasvale Court area in Glasgow
- Mugdock: Mugdock park, Dumbrock Woods, and Carbeth orienteering maps
- Necropolis: Glasgow Necropolis Long course (pdf, 0.7MB), only accesible under SOAC.
- Available as MapRun6 course in the folder UK/Scotland/Glasgow/CLYDE/Necropolis Long PXAC.
Hill O
- Campsies: Campsies West orienteering maps including Dumgoyne course
- Dalry Moor: "update" of a map from 1983 using modern techniques. In progress... (2023).
- Kilpatrick hills: Kilpatrick hills orienteering map including Slacks course
Updates
- Gleniffer braes: map update in progress for CLYDE (2022, kind of stalled, sorry).
Older projects
- Ardinning: Loch Ardinning (pdf, 1.4MB) north of Glasgow, only accesible under SOAC. Originally made for STAG but never used (2021).
- Dougalston: Dougalston Golf Club orienteering map. Can't get permission but might be used one day... (2022).
- South side: Glasgow's Linn Park, Netherton Braes, Cathkin Braes, Fernbraes, Castlemilk Park, Croft Park, and King's Park and including Glasgow South Side Original City Marathon course. Originally made for STAG but never used (2021).