Latest news with #OSMaps
The Herald Scotland
10 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Ordnance Survey guides allow Scottish explorers to live the high life
Ordnance Survey, the country's national mapping agency, is the trusted voice you can rely on when it comes to walking and outdoors. They have an array of guidebooks, broken down to suit individual needs, or geographical areas, making it easier than ever to enjoy Scotland this summer. 'Medical experts say that spending time outside benefits us both physically and mentally,' explains Kris MacKenzie, Product Manager at Ordnance Survey. 'That's the main thing that we are trying to create – products that will enable people to get outside in an accessible way to help them live a happier and longer life.' It's certainly a noble mission. And with their collection of 'Short Walks Made Easy' guidebooks, Ordnance Survey are determined to make Scotland's great outdoors reachable to everyone. (Image: Kris MacKenzie, Product Manager at Ordnance Survey) 'Our 'Short Walks Made Easy' range offers introductory walks for those not wanting to go as far,' says Kris. 'They are between one and five miles, so very short, and they tend to be either flat or on gradual slopes – we aren't sending people up mountains. We've got accessibility information in there as well, telling people whether you can take a buggy down, whether there would be issues with gates. 'They are ideal for families. As well as following a map, we've got photos to help people navigate, which is great for kids to follow along and spot points of interest. 'We've built QR codes in, too, which links up to the OS Maps app, so children can get involved with scanning the QR code on the guidebook and seeing it show up on the phone.' For more ambitious walkers, Ordnance Survey can be of just as much assistance. As well as Pathfinder guidebooks covering national parks and key areas of Scotland, they also have an inspirational coffee table book, 'Outstanding Walks Scotland'. As the name suggests, this book offers recommendations for some of the very best routes in the country. Even for a keen walker like Kris – who frequently hikes and cycles around Scotland – there were completely new walks to be found within it. 'There's been a few routes in there that were close to home for me I had never seen before. Despite having worked for OS for years, our products still enable me to go and find new journeys and new places to visit. If you are sitting in of an evening, wondering where new you can go, we are giving you a recommended route that has already been walked by an author.' That reliability, and quality control, is what sets Ordnance Survey apart from some of the online influencers promoting Scotland's outdoors. 'We know our routes are safe, our directions have been tried and tested by someone. We have relationships with mountain rescue, and they find that sometimes people are seeing cool places to visit online but then turning up ill-equipped. We are giving people the correct information to go and have a safe day out.' (Image: The Short Walks Made Easy' range offers great introductory walks) Indeed, the advice from mountain rescue is always to go out with a paper map and compass in case modern technology fails. 'You can scan the QR codes into our 'Short Walks Made Easy' range of guidebooks and use the OS Maps app, and many people use our physical and digital guides alongside each other. But technology has its downsides. If you are in a remote area sometimes you don't have signal, and batteries can deplete quickly, especially in the cold. So we still recommend people to take a printed copy of a map, as a backup. 'That's the nice thing with our products – you can go for a walk and just switch off. Even in the digital age, physical products still remain relevant, as a way to disconnect and help your mental health and wellbeing.' And the Ordnance Survey products aren't just for walkers, either. They have recently released a 'Cycling Edinburgh with Sustrans' guidebook, ideal for families who want to get out on two wheels over the summer holidays. Whatever your plans are over the summer, Ordnance Survey can offer inspiration and education. 'Our Pathfinder Guides are ideal for finding walks close to Glasgow and Edinburgh, for people who want to stay close to home. Or if you are heading to the north of England, we have a great selection of products covering the Lake District, Northumberland and beyond. We just want to help people explore the outdoors.'
Metro
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Woody Cook has already started his pilgrimage to Worthy Farm
More than three weeks before the gates to Glastonbury 2025 officially open, Woody Cook had already started his pilgrimage to Worthy Farm. No, he didn't get the dates wrong and yes he's travelling from the UK. Along with the community he's built through his own record label, Truth Tribe, he's walking 192 miles from Dover to Pilton, getting to his destination the day before Glastonbury 2025 officially launches. They're a group of rebels with a cause, hoping to raise £20,000 for struggling grassroots music venues around the UK as well as protecting the natural spaces we inhabit. The trek has already proven to be much tougher than Woody – son of DJ Fatboy Slim and BBC presenter Zoe Ball – anticipated. Initially, they planned to walk 192 miles but immediately it was clear they'd be walking much further. With just over a week left to go, Woody tells Metro: 'Yesterday we had to climb through barbed wire because the footpath on OS Maps hadn't been maintained by the farmer and another time we got chased by horses, which is hilarious. It's quite scary but I think it was just coming over to say hello. '192 miles was a guesstimate but we didn't realise how much more we'd do. Sometimes the fastest route is along the road with no pavements. We've just been walking on the side of motorways so we're trying to avoid that.' The original plan would see Truth Tribe walk to Ibiza but, frustratingly, someone else got their first. Few destinations for a party starter are more exciting than Ibiza but a village next-door to the greatest festival in the world will certainly do. It's been at times relentless. As we talk over the phone, Woody gets to his car and discovers he's got a parking ticket but it's not enough to dampen his spirits. 'Between all the funguses and blisters, it's actually been amazing to wake up with mates and see these sights and places we'd never normally end up. 'I feel like this walk is the most sober I've been in June. Well, I did go sober for an entire summer once, but usually I'm doing a lot of gigs and getting free bottles of alcohol but when I'm walking I can't be arsed. I've been going to bed at 8pm.' Throughout their route, the collective has been stopping off in various towns to play small sets to wandering locals or any fans who make the effort to lend their support. They kicked off with Dover Arts Club, set up a day race at Action Water Sport, Lydd, threw a beach party in Camber Sands, fed ravers burgers and beats at in Hastings and rounded out their gigs at The Tempest bar on Brighton's seafront. Over the last decade, a third of UK grassroots venues in the UK closed. In 2023 alone, a grassroots venue shut its doors for good every two weeks, leaving communities without essential cultural spaces and depriving artists with the potential to be the next Adele or Ed Sheeran – as in, one of the UK's biggest financial exports. Despite our position as one of the most successful creators of music in the world, music venues are rarely given the same support as spaces such as theatres or galleries. In the pandemic, grassroots venues we relatively neglected and now so many that could have been saved are gone. 'We've got the highest beer tax in Europe, there's so much going against clubs. People say Gen Z and Gen Alpha are going clubbing less but the prices clubs are having to charge to stay afloat is incentivising us,' says Woody. 'We need the government to support these venues and grassroots venues the same way Berlin treats music venues as cultural hotspots that are protected spaces. We're constantly knocking out clubs down to build carparks and houses when some of them have been cultural standpoints for 35 years.' 'Some people might see clubbing as a nuisance but it brings together people from around the world and it brings in tourism. It's been shown in so many studies to relieve stress, help with mental health, and strengthen community.' Of course, club culture is literally in Woody's DNA. His mum Zoe Ball is woven in the fabric of the British music industry as one of the BBC's most trusted music broadcasters and his dad is the single most successful DJ of the 90s and early 00s, Norman Cook – aka Fatboy Slim. Both are Glastonbury regulars, Norman will be playing Glastonbury again this year on the Arcadia stage while his son is still climbing the ranks to play on the same podium as a headliner. As you'd expect, Woody's Glastonbury veteran. His first time at Worthy Farm he was carried there in his mum's womb. 'I think that somehow coded me,' he says. 'I also went the same year Michael Jackson died, but my parents swore never to take me until I was an adult. They couldn't go to any loud music because I said it was too loud and wanted to go to the kid's field.' More Trending 25 years later, he's bringing the noise – and lots of it. 'I've got 10 DJ sets at the festival so my marathon is only just beginning when I get there. I'm playing at Car Henge, on the Arcadia bug, a secret venue called Gorilla bar, and Scissors, an LGBTQ+ hairdressers-come-club. 'I love it, it's going to be a mainstay of the summer.' Woody is walking to raise money for Liveline Fund (via Music Venue Trust), The Wildlife Trusts – Greenpeace, WaterAid, and Oxfam. Donate to his GoFundMe page here. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Sir Rod Stewart confirms he will bring 'three guests' on stage for Glastonbury set MORE: Steps narrowly missed out on Glastonbury legends slot for devastating reason MORE: For the latest Glastonbury weather forecast you need to follow a guy called Gav
Edinburgh Reporter
13-06-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
What Are OS Maps? A Complete Beginner's Guide
In 1791, Ordnance Survey (OS) started as a way to map the Highlands of Scotland since there was political unrest at the time. Over the years, it has turned into the main provider of maps for the United Kingdom, setting very high standards in accuracy and geography. Even though OS began in defence, it soon became important for civil engineering, city planning, and everyday use. Photo by Pixabay: How OS Maps Are Created Surveying tools from the past and modern technology help a person create an OS map. At the same time, GPS data and pictures taken by drones and airplanes are obtained at the site. With photogrammetry, the materials are turned into proper digital elevation maps. By using GIS, the data is made better, so each map clearly includes footpaths, hedgerows, and property lines, which allows you to use OS maps for planning. Decoding OS Map Symbols To use OS maps, you should first learn the symbols used in them. All signs, spires, and the way the map is drawn have useful functions. To indicate manmade things, features of nature, and road types, maps use pictures, or icons. Because these visual cues are standard, you can find them no matter which location you're in. Scale: The Key to Detail Ordnance Survey maps are available in multiple scales, tailored to different activities. The 1:25,000 Explorer series suits hikers and walkers, offering high-detail representations of rural landscapes. Meanwhile, the 1:50,000 Landranger maps provide broader coverage, ideal for cyclists or long-distance travellers. Zooming in or out alters the amount of information presented, so selecting the appropriate scale can make a significant difference in utility. Why OS Maps Are So Accurate Precision is the hallmark of an OS map. Each edition undergoes rigorous quality control, with updates reflecting new roads, land use changes, and even shifting coastlines. Unlike satellite navigation systems, which often generalise or mislabel features, OS maps are curated by experts who manually verify data. Their commitment to accuracy makes them invaluable for everything from hiking trips to planning construction projects. Digital Mapping & App Integration While traditional paper maps remain popular, digital OS mapping has seen substantial growth. The OS Maps app allows users to access maps on mobile devices, plan routes, and even download them for offline use. Augmented reality overlays and GPS location tracking bring a new dimension to navigation, blending modern convenience with classic cartographic detail. Educational & Practical Uses Other than outdoor activities, OS maps support education by helping students learn about space and how to read maps. They are helpful for emergency teams in finding routes, utility companies when maintaining their systems, and environmental teams when watching for changes in the land. It is rare to find tools that work for many purposes in so many industries. Comparing OS to Other Mapping Systems Unlike other worldwide digital maps, OS maps are created just for the UK's topography. The OS is more accurate in showing features on the map than Google Maps, which mainly focuses on speed and search features. They are not just about locating coffee shops, but about helping people get to know and use their environment. This is what makes OS different from other companies. Why OS Maps Still Matter Because many people use digital ways to navigate, OS maps are still important. Because they are so clear, reliable, and detailed, they are considered the best in UK geography. Wherever you use them, these maps are the best choice due to their usefulness and design. For people new to this, identifying and using them makes the world beneath their feet more interesting. Like this: Like Related
The Guardian
02-05-2025
- The Guardian
Those who prefer a map to an app abound in the age of GPS
John Harris's observations on the implications of using unsuitable phone apps for navigation when walking in the wilds resonated with me (We now leave navigation to our phones. The result: more of us are getting hopelessly lost, 27 April). In terms of practical advice, though, rather than using the Ordnance Survey app backed up with a paper map, I do it the other way round. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. Using a 1:25,000 OS paper map as the primary navigational aid conserves phone battery and allows you to keep an eye on the wider landscape for navigational clues all the time; and the scale is fixed, so after becoming accustomed to it, you have a feel for distances while on the move. The OS Maps app is useful for zooming in on detail, and really comes into its own with its little red locator arrow if, for instance, there is no sign of a path on the open moor. And, of course, it is a godsend if you do lose your way. It is also great for plotting out a route before setting off, to calculate the distance and time to be walked (much more accurate and quicker than laying out bits of string on the paper map, which is how I used to do it). The OS app is the only phone app I pay for, and it is worth every WoodinNottingham John Harris's highly pertinent piece on navigation in the outdoors highlights both the issues and some ways to avoid problems. As an experienced hill walker and bird surveyor, I use the Ordnance Survey subscription OS Maps on my desktop. You soon learn to either print off or screenshot paper maps of varying scales. These can be made semi-waterproof with art pastels fixative and you are never without a perfect paper map matched to your purposes. Add a compass and off you go. We have just used five such maps to guide a curlew survey in south Cumbria and a climb of Blencathra, with stunning views of the lakes. John D PeatfieldBowston, Cumbria As one of your 'older' readers, I laughed out loud to read John Harris saying paper maps can occasionally be useful in our app-disoriented days. I still make my way round London using my old A-Z (it is still being published), and I pass many people on street corners turning their mobile phones round and round, frowning, obviously lost. Occasionally I offer assistance. I understand that this is no help on a mountain, but I think it is worth reminding readers that it certainly is helpful in central EwingLondon Sound advice from John Harris about how to use maps to avoid the navigational hazards of GPS. For a simple space-time device, keep a pencil handy for sunny days. Held vertically on a flat surface (even a car dashboard can serve), it will cast a shadow to the north at solar noon (1pm BST) – the shadow will appear to move 15 degrees to the east every hour. Check the time, and you may then work out your direction accordingly. But keep the compass for overcast LynchGarstang, Lancashire I've never used GPS or What3words. I have a library of Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 maps that is augmented for each new trip. They are wondrous geographical and historical resources. I am laughed at by my juniors. Grid references and compass use enforce a spatial awareness and numeracy beyond the understanding of millennials. What will they do when the lights go out? Bring it HeatonWarminster, Wiltshire Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
