Geocachers descend on Perth for Mega 800 event
Around 1,300 high-tech treasure hunters from all over the world
are preparing to descend on Perth this weekend for a special Perth
800 event.
The July 31 Geocaching Mega Event, the first of its kind in
Scotland, has attracted participants from 21 different countries
and is expected to generate around £300,000 for the Perth and
Kinross economy.
Geocaching enthusiasts are coming from as far afield as
Australia, New Zealand, the USA, South Africa and from all over
Europe to take part. Local people are also being encouraged to come
along and get involved in the fun.
Geocaching is an outdoor activity in which the participants use
handheld GPS units or other navigational techniques to seek out
hidden containers which hold items placed by other geocachers, and
then share their experiences online. Cache containers are currently
placed in over 100 countries around the world and on all seven
continents, including Antarctica. There are already over one
million active cache containers in the world although the sport is
only 10 years old.
Perth's Dewars Centre will be the main hub for the Mega Event,
which will give geocachers the chance to make new or renew
acquaintances with colleagues in a relaxed atmosphere. There will
be a range of free lectures about the sport suitable for complete
beginners as well those with more experience, and a selection of
trade stands all of which will have a geocaching theme.
Enthusiasts will of course also get the chance to get out into
the beautiful Perth and Kinross countryside to hunt down the
hundreds of local caches which have been set up especially for the
event.
As well as the actual Mega Event on the Saturday there will be a
range of side events for geocachers taking place over the weekend
including family walks, an event for dog owners, a teddy bears'
picnic and munro hiking.
Provost John Hulbert said: "Over the past few months I have
learned a great deal about geocaching as a hobby. It is a hugely
popular pastime across the world and is a fascinating sport that
all the family can take part in.
"We expect thousands of geocachers to visit Perth and Kinross
for the Mega Event on July 31 and I would also urge local people to
get involved in this activity, which is fun for people of all ages.
It is of course also a very healthy pastime.
"The Geocaching Mega Event encapsulates all of the Perth 800
themes - heritage, culture & sport, economy, youth, technology
& communities. It will give us the chance to showcase to
people from around the world what Perth and Kinross has to offer,
and it will also provide the local economy with a major boost.
"I would like to welcome geocachers to Perth and Kinross and
wish them a very enjoyable weekend. I hope a lot of local people
will also go along to find out a bit more about the sport, and
perhaps decide to get involved in the activities."
Details of the Mega Event can be found at http://www.megascotland.com/
