A NEW orienteering course set up in Wilton Lodge Park in Hawick will be opened on Saturday.

Roxburgh Reivers Orienteering Club will help with the first event for the course, which takes place outside Hawick Museum at 1pm and is open to anyone new or interested in the sport. “We are all excited to be part of installing this course in Wilton Lodge Park and we will have British and Scottish squad members available on launch day to help beginners,” said Roxburgh Reiver Lindsey Knox. “This is a great opportunity for anyone to have a go at orienteering at their own pace.” After the event, maps of the course will be available to the public at Hawick Museum – which is within the park - throughout the year.

Wilton Lodge Park Project events manager Gordon Webber, added: “We are hoping that with having the set course and the availability of the maps, people will be encouraged to try the course.

“It’s a great way to get a bit of exercise but also to see various parts of the park, including the Violet Woods. It has been a real group effort to put the course in.” The opening of an orienteering course which could be used by all ages was an objective of the Park’s successful £2.66million Heritage Lottery Fund proposal.

For more information contact Gordon Webber on 01835 824000 or email: gordon.webber@scotborders.gov.uk.