Binning Wood
Saturday 28 February 2026
Open runnable woodland
Binning Wood was replanted after 1945 with conifers and beech and has a complex network of rides, paths and ditches which can be disorientating to the unwary. Much of the site has become overrun with rhododendron, but ongoing clearance work has dramatically improved runnability. In many areas visibility has improved and hidden ditches have reappeared, although the brashings will slow you down.
Orienteers of all abilities are welcome to join us on the day when we will have a range of courses to suit everyone.
Advance Information
Type of event:
Local event in the East of Scotland Orienteering Association (ESOA) series
Binning Wood was replanted after 1945 with conifers and beech and has a complex network of rides, paths and ditches which can be disorientating to the unwary. Much of the site has become overrun with rhododendron, but ongoing clearance work has dramatically improved runnability. In many areas visibility has improved and hidden ditches have reappeared, although the brashings will slow you down.
Orienteers of all abilities are welcome to join us on the day when we will have a range of courses to suit everyone.
Terrain:
- Mixed woodland which is notable for three large circular clearings. These clearings have up to 13 paths leading out of them and will challenge your navigation
- Binning Wood has suffered in the past from being overgrown with rhododendrons but there has been much clearing in recent years leading to areas which are very open and runnable
- An area at north of the map is a green burial site – the Binning Memorial Wood. This area is marked on all maps as out of bounds to orienteers.
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.
Parking:
Please share cars if possible – as parking space is very limited.
The main public car park at the SW corner of the wood is well used by the public. There is a smaller car park 200 metres NW. If the weather remains dry we may ask late arrivals to park on the verge. Please do not park beside the A198 nor on the private ground immediately opposite the main car park.
Toilets:
We hope to have portable toilets available at this event.
Accessibility:
White and Yellow courses stick to the path network so should be accessible for rugged buggies etc.
Location
Nearest Town: East Linton
Grid Ref: NT 593 801
Nearest Postcode: EH40 3DU
Directions
Leave the A1 at either Haddington (if coming from the west; take the second Haddington junction, known as “Abbotsview” and signed “Haddington/East Linton”) or Dunbar (if coming from the south) and then follow the A199 (“the old A1”) to its junction with the A198 signposted North Berwick. Follow the A198 for 2 straight kilometres to Tyninghame village. Turn left onto the B1407 and take the next right after 1 km onto the minor road signposted Newbyth and Lawhead. Go north for 1.5 km to the south-west corner of Binning Wood.
Public Transport
Frequent bus links to East Linton are provided by EastCoastBuses (X7 and 106). A less frequent service (120 from Eve Coaches, running between North Berwick and Dunbar) passes along the eastern edge of the wood, and will stop and pick up there on request.
Nearest Defibrillator:
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.
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 1:7500 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 and courses.
| Course | Length / Ascent | Description |
|---|
More details about the colour coding is available on the Scottish Orienteering website.
Entry Charges
Entry is cheaper if you are a current 2026 member of a club affiliated to Scottish or British Orienteering.
Please ensure that your membership has been renewed for 2026.
| British Orienteering member | Scottish Orienteering member | Non‑member | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seniors | £4.50 | £5.50 | £6.50 |
| Juniors | £2.50 | £3.00 | £3.50 |
| Pair of Seniors | £6.00 | £7.00 | £8.00 |
| Pair of Juniors (no accompanying adults) | £3.50 | £4.00 | £4.50 |
| Junior and Parent | £4.50 | £5.50 | £6.50 |
| Family Groups (one or more children accompanied by one or more adults) | £6.00 | £7.00 | £8.00 |
| Second Course (white/yellow/orange) | £1.00 | £1.00 | £1.00 |
*Members of any orienteering club will receive a discount but please enter early so we know how many maps to order. You can cancel your entry up until the entries close and then you’ll receive a credit for your entry fees which you can use at a future event.
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.
Please note: Participants who are not members of British Orienteering are not covered by British Orienteering’s public liability insurance. By entering this event, you acknowledge that you are taking part at your own risk. For example, if you were to accidentally injure a member of the public or damage property during the event, you would not be covered.
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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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.
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