Lochend Woods, Dunbar
30 October 2021

Lochend Woods, Dunbar  30 October 2021

Lochend Wood: © Richard Webb - geograph.org.uk/p/4917225

It was great to see so many new faces at today’s event despite the poor early weather and the muddy conditions underfoot.

Many thanks to all the competitors, to Godfrey Beddard for planning the courses, and to the many helpers involved in setting up and conducting the event as well as collecting controls afterwards.

There were many appreciative comments about Godfrey’s courses although some people found the Light Green tougher than expected from a partially urban course.

Results

  • Live results should be available here on the day of the event.
  • Routegadget allows you to plot your route, either by hand or by downloading a gpx file from a watch or phone and to look where you and others went.
  • Winsplits Online gives another way of comparing your times for each leg.
  • British Orienteering collect results from all events and publish ranking scores for larger events.

Pre-event Information

Lochend is a flat wood mainly made up of conifers with patches of birch and ash. There is an extensive path network and some vehicle tracks where care is needed but it is an ideal area of juniors and newcomers.

Orienteers of all abilities are welcome to join us on the day when we will have a range of courses to suit everyone. The Light Green course crosses roads so is only suitable for those aged 16 and over or juniors who are being closely accompanied by an adult.

Dunbar is the driest, sunniest town in Scotland, but we can’t guarantee the weather so please dress appropriately!

Type of event:

Local event in the East of Scotland Orienteering Association (ESOA) series

Lochend Wood: © Richard Webb – geograph.org.uk/p/4917225

Terrain:

  • Lochend is a flat wood mainly made up of conifers with patches of birch and ash. There is an extensive path network and some vehicle tracks where care is needed. Even at this time of year undergrowth can be very dense once you leave the path network. There are some nettles and brambles so full leg cover is recommended.
  • After recent wet weather all paths have some muddy sections so good grips are recommended.
  • The longest course is partially urban style and because of road crossings is not available to under 16s unless accompanied by an adult.
  • Please not enter any areas marked as out of bounds.

Other Users

The area is very well used by the general public including dog walkers and families. Please respect their right to be there at the same time as you are orienteering.

Dogs

The area is well used by dog walkers so dogs are welcome to come with orienteers.

Toilets:

Toilets are available at Hallhill Sports Centre.

Accessibility:

White and Yellow courses are suitable for buggies etc on broad firm tracks and paths. Orange and Light Green courses are not suitable.

Location

Nearest Town: Dunbar
Grid Ref: NT675783
Nearest Postcode: EH42 1QZ

Directions

Leave the A1 at the ASDA roundabout and at the next roundabout turn left onto Kellie Road. Carry on to the car park for the Hallhill Sports Centre. 

Public Transport

There are a hourly bus and train services from Edinburgh to Dunbar on Saturdays and less than 1km to walk within Dunbar to Registration.

Registration & Start Times

Registration

This will be online (and for newcomers near the car park) – look for the ELO flag and tent!
Please select an early start time if you think you might take a long time to complete your course.

Start and Finish:

Start times will be from 1:30pm to 3:00pm.

Start and Finish are close to registration

Courses Close:

The courses will close at 4:00pm so it is essential that you report to the Finish by then, even if you have not completed your course.

Start Times:

Control Descriptions

Control descriptions are printed on the maps but if you want a loose copy, download them here

Course Information

Map

The map is printed at 1:5000 with 5m contours.

Timing

SportIdent (SI) electronic timing will be used – we will have SIs for hire free of charge but there is a £30 charge if lost.

Units, apart from start and finish, will be set for contactless punching.

Courses

There will be White, Yellow, Orange and Green courses.

Course Length / Ascent Description
White1.8km / 10mVery Easy
Yellow2km / 10mEasy
Orange3.2km / 10mModerate
Green5.1km / 10mDifficult – over 16s only*

More details about the colour coding is available on the Scottish Orienteering website.

Organiser:

Pete Younger

Planner:

Godfrey Beddard

Other Information:

The map covers both woodland and urban areas.

* because of road crossings the green course is only suitable for those aged 16 and over or younger competitors who are accompanied throughout.

Entry Charges

Entry is cheaper if you are a current 2022 member of a club affiliated to Scottish or British Orienteering.

Please ensure that your membership has been renewed for 2022.

British/Scottish Orienteering member* (Pre-entry)Non‑member
Seniors£4£6
Juniors£1.50£2.50
Parent and Child (one parent with one child)£2.50£3.50
Larger Family Groups (one or more children accompanied by one or more adults)£3£5
Pair of Seniors£5£7
Pair of Juniors (no accompanying adults)£2£3

*Members of any orienteering club will receive a discount for pre-entry only.
**Note that although non-members are now permitted to take part, Covid regulations still limit the support we can give beginners.

Safety and Risk

A comprehensive risk assessment (RA) has been carried out by the organisers, but participants take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety during the event.

You are advised to wash your hands after finishing your course to avoid the risk of infection and to carefully check for ticks. The full Risk Assessment will be available for inspection at Registration.

Medical Conditions:

If you, or anyone in your group (including juniors), have a medical condition that first-aiders or health professionals should know about in the event of accident or illness during the course of the event please print off the Medical Form, complete it fully and bring it along to the event.   You should complete a separate copy for each individual who has a medical condition.  Please leave the completed Medical Form at Event Registration.  If it is not in a labelled sealed envelope, it will be put in one and will be opened only in an emergency.  It will be shredded immediately after the event if you do not claim it back.

Privacy

When entering our events your name will appear in the results section of this website and may appear in newspaper reports.
We may also take photographs at the event for publicity purposes – please let us know if you do not want us to use your photograph in this way.
Read our privacy policy.

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2 thoughts on “Lochend Woods, Dunbar
30 October 2021

    1. Pete Younger

      Hi Suzie. Yes that should be fine. We are no longer limited to club members only although we are still only allowing pre-entries (ie not entry-on-the-day). Hope this helps. Pete

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