Festive Frolic: Levenhall Links
Sunday 28 December 2025
For longer than most of us can remember ELO have put on a fun orienteering event between Christmas and New Year. As well as finding the controls there has been a puzzle to add to the challenge. A mass start, a social gathering and a lively prize giving have made up for a great way to work off some of the Christmas excesses.
This year’s Festive Frolic is at Levenhall Links on Sunday 28th December and will continue our grand tradition.
Type of event:
Local event to burn off the Christmas calories!
Levenhall Links is an interesting area in that the whole of the western part, the main section of the map, has been built up over the years from the ash from Cockenzie Power Station. Old maps show the racecourse as being on the shore originally. The sea wall was built and then the lagoons were filled with the ash slurry which was pumped from Cockenzie and sprayed out. As the sections were filled, they were landscaped, forming the pond and the bird sanctuary (the out of bounds area just east of the pond). Now that the power station has closed and been demolished, the remaining dark ashy bits are gradually becoming more attractive.
The map includes the old Morrison’s Haven, a once-thriving harbour which was infilled for safety reasons after it fell into disuse in the early twentieth century. Prior to that, the area around the harbour was an industrial site with chemical based factories, making sulphuric acid, soap, glass etc.
Terrain:
- Parkland with scattered dense plantations.
- Runners on longer courses will meet nettles intruding onto the narrow paths through woodland so full leg cover is recommended.
- Please observe any out of bounds areas.
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. Dogs can come with orienteers but must be kept under control.
Toilets:
There are no toilet facilities at the assembly area. Nearest toilets are near the public carpark on the River Esk and at Tesco.
Accessibility:
TBC
Location
Nearest Town: Musselburgh
Grid Ref: NT363733
Nearest Postcode: EH21 7SY
Directions
Head past Musselburgh Racecourse towards Prestonpans.
The entrance to the track to the car park is partway between Levenhall and the Prestongrange museum. We will put a sign or a kite at this turning.
Follow the track westwards, it swings left then the entrance to the car park is on the right. The car park is saucer shaped and frequently flooded in the middle so come prepared to step out into the wet.
Public Transport
Lothian buses numbers 26 and 44 all pass close to Musselburgh Racecourse and the area we are visiting. The number 30 and the train station at Wallyford are a short walk/run away as well.
Nearest Defibrillator:
There will be a defibrillator and first aid kit at registration.
Registration & Start Times
Registration
Online registration will close at 8 pm on Saturday evening to allow time to enter the data into the event file. Hire dibbers can be uplifted from the tent near to the car park.
Start and Finish:
Start and Finish will be near to the parking.
There will be a mass start at 11:00.
Anyone who is uncomfortable with a mass start, should hang back and come to start five minutes later and you will be given a punching start.
Courses Close:
Course closure time will be 12:15 and a prizegiving will take place as soon as practical after this.
Entry Charges
| Senior (per person): | £8 / £10 (TBC) |
| Junior/Student (per person): | £4 / £5 (TBC) |
| Group or Pair (per team): | £8 / £10 (TBC) |
The cheaper entry fee is available to SOA members who enter before we order the maps.
Course Information
Map
The map is printed at 1:10,000.
Timing
SportIdent (SI) electronic timing will be used – we will have SIcards for hire free of charge but there is a £30 charge if lost. Units will be set for contactless punching.
Course
60 minute Score course with control sites suitable for all abilities.
Controls can be visited in any order with everyone starting at the same time and returning at (roughly) the same time.
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.