PERTHSHIRE - A FANTASTIC LOCATION FOR GEOCACHING
Geocaching is an internet-based treasure hunt with millions of participants worldwide. It appeals to all ages, and has categories of activity for everyone, from the disabled to extreme sports enthusiasts. It has grown in popularity over the last decade and tens of thousands of people in the UK and Europe are involved. Scotland, with arguably the best access legislation in the world, is particularly well suited for this sport, and Perthshire, known as 'Big Tree Country' because of its unique woodland heritage, is at the centre of geocaching in Scotland. there are a series of caches to find on foot, or by Mountain Bike on Moncrieffe Hill, in Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park, at the Hermitage, in Craigvinean, Faskally and Allean Forests, at the Birks of Aberfeldy, in Weem Wood, on Drummond Hill, and all the way out past Rannoch Station. There is even one at the top of Schiehallion.
The concept is a simple one. Geocachers leave a container, which can vary greatly in size, at a location of their choice. They then put the exact co-ordinates of their box on the geocache website. Other geocachers then go hunting for the box. There are currently thousands of caches hidden across Britain, they are found by using a device fitted with GPS - Global Positioning System.
There is a code of conduct for geocachers whether hiding or finding caches - this is designed to preserve the environment in which the sport takes place. For example : caches are not hidden in any built up structures - must be natural. : no physical digging or burying is involved - instead the caches are cleverly hidden under tree roots, moss, stones etc and the 'clues' can often be puzzling or misleading.