Lauriston Castle and Cramond Foreshore

ESOC Local Event in Edinburgh and Lothians

Sat 10th Feb 2024

Info updated: 26th Nov
Type of event: Local
Type of terrain: Parkland

General Information

The event will be based in the Lauriston Castle estate in NW Edinburgh but will also use our new map of the Crammond Foreshore

Dress: Please check the weather forecast on the day and dress appropriately.  This event is mostly in the grounds of Lauriston Castle though at least one, and possibly 2 courses will go out into surrounding streets so please wear appropriate footwear for the course you are entering. It can be very cool and windy on this area, even on a fine Spring day, due to proximity to the Firth of Forth. 

Terrain:  This is a particularly good area for beginners.  Beginners courses will be in the castle grounds which include some woodland and a small pond.  Please note that the Japanese garden and the croquet lawns are out of bounds (these are marked as such on the map).  The courses for experienced orienteers will also use the streets adjoining the castle grounds to get to the Crammond Foreshore area. . These streets can be busy so please take extra care when running on these parts of the course.  Note that juniors under 16 years old may not allowed be on the some courses unless accompanied at all times by an adult. TBC

Other Users: Although this is a private estate the area is used by others, most notably dog walkers and families. Please respect their right to be there at the same time as you are orienteering, especially giving dog walkers plenty of space when meeting/passing.  

Toilets: There are toilets in the grounds of the castle, close to the cafe. We will advise if they will be open nearer the time.

Course Maps: ​These will be printed on waterproof paper and control descriptions will be printed on the map. No loose control descriptions. 

Dogs:  Dogs are allowed but should be kept under very close control at all times. 

Course Closure Time: Please note that courses have a closure time of 3pm after which controls will start  to be brought in, so please return to download by 3pm.

Covid: Please don’t come to the event if you have Covid or symptoms of Covid.  Please also try to respect other people's personal space at all times, make use of the hand sanitiser wherever it is made available, remain as quiet as possible at and around the start area, the start line and the download area.   

Please read and respect the British Orienteering Participant Code of Conduct.

Medical Conditions: You have the option of downloading, completing and handing this Medical Form to the Organiser (via Registration) so that existing medical conditions are known about in the event of an incident. Please put in a sealed envelope with your name on it. It will only be opened if required and will be destroyed unread if you don't collect before the end of the event. 

First Aid: We encourage you to bring your own first aid kit and administer as necessary.  A very basic first aid kit will be available at Registration/Download. Please ask there for anything you may need, the Organiser will be happy to help. 

Location

Nearest town: Edinburgh

• Grid Ref: NT203758
• Postcode: EH4 5QD
• Latitude: 55.96886
• Longitude: -3.27878
• Google Map (aerial) - Bing Map (OS)

Directions

The event will be based in the Lauriston Castle estate in NW Edinburgh with parking in the surrounding streets.  Postcode for the event is EH4 5QD and What3words for the main gate is ///scar.storm.dates

There are plenty of options for getting there. Please use public transport or share cars if at all possible.

By Bus: Check Lothian Buses website to plan your journey. Other (out of town) bus services run along Queensferry Road and these could be more convenient. Get off at the stop nearest to Quality Street to walk to the event. 

By Bike:  A variety of quiet cycle route maps throughout the city are available on the Edinburgh City Council Quiet Routes web pages. It will be possible  to lock your bike close by Registration while you run.

By Car: Head for Cramond Road South.  Parking for the Lauriston Castle event will be in the surrounding streets; such as Lauriston Farm Road or Barnton Park, both off Cramond Road South just south of the main entrance to Lauriston Castle (please don't park in the small car park within the grounds). When parking in residential streets please be considerate of local residents. 

Edinburgh based orienteers are welcome to join the newly expanded Edinburgh Orienteers - Car sharing WhatsApp group. Please contact  for the joining link.

Registration & Start Times

REGISTRATION will be open for limited Entry on the Day (EOD)  if maps are still available.  This will be open from 11:45am -1.15pm - see also section on Entry Details below – payment will be by cash, bank transfer or  by card.  Please try to have the correct money if at all possible.

WHITE and YELLOW COURSE MAPS: Please collect these from Registration before going to the Start.  Course maps for other courses are collected after punching the start.

STARTS: From 12 noon to 1.30pm with course closure at 3pm. You should be back at Download by 4pm as controls will start to be brought in by 3pm so if you think you'll take a long time to complete your course please enter early so you can choose an early start time.

The Start and Finish will both be within very easy walking distance of the entrance to Lauriston Castle grounds and of Registration.

Course Information

As at all ESOC local events there will be White, Yellow and Orange courses for beginners and improvers plus courses for experienced orienteers.  These may go out into nearby streets so no under 16s will not be able to go out on these courses without being accompanied by an adult. TBC

Explanation of colour courses

• White are very easy with all controls on paths. They are mainly used by 6-10 year olds and family groups.
• Yellow use simple linear features like paths, walls and streams. They are mainly used by under 12’s and family groups.
• Orange progress to basic use of the compass and route choice. They are ideal for novice adults or experienced youngsters.
• Light Green are ideal for improvers as the navigational difficulty begins to increase and uses simple contours and point features.
• Green are used mostly by experienced under 18’s and adults wanting a short but challenging course with a very hard navigational difficulty.
• Blue are a longer, more physically demanding course in comparison to the green. The distances are more varied between controls and the course attracts experienced orienteers.
• Brown & Black are very physically demanding and have a very hard navigational difficulty. They are for experienced orienteers only.
• Score means visiting as many controls as possible in any order in a specific time, like 45mins.

Entry Details

Pre-Entry via RaceSignUp is advised for this event, a link will be added nearer the time.  Entries open Monday 29th January at 10am and will finally close at 9am on Saturday 10th February - the day of the event.  To be guaranteed a map of your chosen course you MUST however pre-enter by 2pm on Tuesday 6th February.  

Entry on the Day (EOD) at the event will be possible only if there are course maps available.

Safety and Risk

A comprehensive risk assessment will have been carried out by the organiser, but participants take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety during the event.

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