Hartside Hill SOL
Sunday 7 September 2025
Hartside Hill is a new area for orienteering near Soutra Pass just of the A68. It is an extensive plantation woodland with deep cleughs, rides of varying widths and an extensive ditch network.
We are grateful to David Smith and Bidwells for permission to use the forest and to the Dun’s who farm at Gilston for parking. Parking is likely to be tight so we would encourage people to meet at Pathhead and car share where possible.
Orienteers of all abilities are welcome to join us for this Scottish Orienteering League event where there will be a range of courses to suit everyone.
Type of event:
Scottish Orienteering League Event
Terrain:
- Hartside Hill is a plantation forest. Some of the blocks of wood are thick to break into but once in the running is generally good although there are many lower level branches so care should be exercised. Full leg and body cover is mandatory and arm cover is advised.
- Visibility is good and the underfoot conditions are stable but in wet weather the woods can be dark.
- The more open areas and wider rides are either heather covered or marshland but courses are designed to minimise lengthy runs along the heaviest-going of these areas.
- The network of ditches and rides is extensive, particularly at the higher points of the woodland. Because of the dry weather the ditches are mostly free of water.
- Forestry work is ongoing but courses have been designed to avoid the notified areas of felling. You are reminded not to touch any log piles or forestry equipment.
- Most of the blocks of woodland are flattish but on an incline so accurate compass work will be required to hit features economically. Unusually for southern Scotland, there are very few brambles.
Other Users
The area is not regularly used by the general public so you are unlikely to meet other people. For this reason we would strongly advise you to take a whistle.
Dogs
Because the parking area is used for cattle, dogs are not permitted.
Toilets:
Toilets will be available at registration
Accessibility:
The courses all contain sections which cover rough open ground – both white and yellow courses include taped routes through the woods and/or across heather. You may prefer to shadow younger competitors on white and yellow following your own run.
Location
Nearest Town: Pathhead, Midlothian
Grid Ref: NT444566
Nearest Postcode: EH37 5TF
Directions
Follow the A68 south from Edinburgh. After joining other orienteers at Pathhead continue to head south on the A68. As you start to ascend towards Soutra pass, turn right along the B6368 following the sign to Soutra Aisle. The event is 2 miles south along the B6368.
Public Transport
The nearest train station is at Stow from which the event is 10 mile cycle.
Borders Bus #51 from Edinburgh stops at the North end of the B6368, 2 miles from the event – unfortunately bikes are not currently able to be taken on this service.
Nearest Defibrillator:
Registration
Registration & Start Times
Registration
This will be online (and for newcomers near the entrance to the woods) – look for the ELO flag and tent!
Please request 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 12:00 to 2:00pm (TBC).
The Start is a 1.7km walk with 50m of climb from the parking. The finish is 400m from the parking.
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.
Course Information
Map
The map is printed at 1:15,000 for Black and Brown courses & 1:10,000 for all other courses. 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 Black, Brown, Short Brown, Blue, Short Blue, Green, Short Green, Very Short Green, Light Green, Long Orange, , Orange, Yellow and White courses.
| Course | Length / Ascent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Black | 10.5km / | Very challenging navigation including route choice and rougher terrain away from paths. |
| Brown | 8.2km / | Very challenging navigation including route choice and rougher terrain away from paths. |
| Short Brown | 7.7km / | Very challenging navigation including route choice and rougher terrain away from paths. |
| Blue | 5.8km / | Very challenging navigation including route choice and rougher terrain away from paths. |
| Short Blue | 4.9km / | Very challenging navigation including route choice and rougher terrain away from paths. |
| Green | 4.6km / | Very challenging navigation including route choice and rougher terrain away from paths. |
| Short Green | 3.6km / | Very challenging navigation including route choice and rougher terrain away from paths. |
| Very Short Green | 3.1km / | Very challenging navigation including route choice and rougher terrain away from paths. |
| Light Green | 3.2km / | For more experienced orienteers. More challenging navigation including route choice and rougher terrain. |
| Long Orange | 5.2km / | For adult who enjoy more running than navigating. Controls near paths or line features. |
| / | ||
| Orange | 4.0km / | For competitive 13-14 year olds and beginner adults. Controls near paths or line features. |
| Yellow | 3.1km / | For competitive 11-12 year olds and 13-14 year old beginners. Follows line features with controls after choice points. A longer than usual course so that it sticks to paths and rides. |
| White | 1.6km / | For competitive 9-10 year olds and 11-12 year old beginners. Follows paths with a control at each choice point. |
More details about the colour coding is available on the Scottish Orienteering website.
Organiser:
Jamie WIlson & Michael Atkinson
Planner:
Michael Atkinson
Controller:
Roger Scrutton (ESOC)
Entry Charges
Entry is cheaper if you are a current 2025 member of a club affiliated to Scottish or British Orienteering.
Please ensure that your membership has been renewed for 2025.
| Entry Type | British Orienteering member | Scottish Orienteering member | Non‑member | Late Entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seniors | £12 | £13 | £14 | +£2 |
| Juniors | £4 | £5 | £6 | +£1 |
| Pair of Seniors | £14 | £15 | £16 | +£2 |
| Pair of Juniors (no accompanying adults) | £5.50 | £6.50 | £7.50 | +£1 |
| Junior and Parent | £7 | £8 | £9 | +£1 |
| Family Groups (one or more children accompanied by one or more adults) | £10 | £11 | £12 | +£1 |
Safety and Risk
A comprehensive risk assessment 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
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
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