Lauriston Castle and Cramond ForeshoreSat 10 Feb
ESOC Local Event in Edinburgh and the Lothians
Local level event
Explanation of event levels
Local events are usually low key and in the 'localised' area, ideal for newcomers to try the sport and Training events are non competitive and used for training and coaching, aimed at members of the club, but they can attract people from neighbouring clubs, and are often ideal for newcomers to try the sport. Regional events attract participants from around the local Region, National events are high quality competitions that will attract people from far away, Major events are Major Events such as a British Championships. Virtual events are where there are no physical controls being used. Your presence at a control is registered using an App on your mobile phone, normally the free MapRun App.
Terrain type: Parkland
Results
Officials' Reports
Planners Comments
It was exciting to use the brand new map of Cramond and Lauriston (which is just half of the enormous "Cramond Foreshore" mapped area). We had the benefit of going out of Lauriston Castle grounds through the side gate and over the fields to Cramond entirely off road. I was particularly attracted by the hidden side of Cramond, the woods and walled gardens which you do not see from the main road or the seafront. There was another small section of woods by the sea to the North which seemed worth a visit.
The map of Lauriston Castle grounds was extracted from the big map. It is quite a different style to our old 2018 Lauriston Castle map, because Sprint map specifications were used, but I decided to use it because it was overall more accurate, especially the paths near the Rose Garden.
For the long courses it was inevitable that we had some long legs round the fields with just a bit of route choice. The Lauriston Farm project people are preparing their fields for agricultural use but we were able to use their wide paths along the field boundaries.
In Cramond I tried to use an urban style with route planning and decision making more important than "finding" controls. Also having got people down to Cramond, I wanted to make sure they retained as much enthusiasm as possible for the run back up. The longer legs returning through the village gave you the choice of how you wanted to go back East, whether on a simpler road route, navigating through the village, or on the off-road paths.
Back at the Castle, the difficulty of the Lauriston grounds is naturally around Orange level. Therefore I tried to fit in as many different legs as possible so that you saw the area from every direction (whilst avoiding the Japanese garden, the croquet lawns and the bees). White and Yellow had to navigate a few twists and turns on the path network and hopefully not too much mud.
I put in a Short White for little ones to have a quick run round the main lawn. We also tested out demand for the Red or Long Orange course which is intended to provide a longer run with just a mild navigational challenge.
I hope you enjoyed your courses and thankyou to everyone who helped me with the maps and controls.
Katherine Kirk - Planner
Organisers Comments
This was a Local Event at its best, catering for lots of beginners within the Castle grounds and giving runs right down to Cramond on the extended map. Muddy underfoot, yes, but nothing like the wind and rain of the previous few days.
The pre-event coaching offered to ESOC members is proving very popular, as is the option on the Entry Form to ask for a bit of help to get started.
The large and enthusiastic team of ESOC volunteers excelled themselves as usual, especially at the end when sharing out the control-collecting and taking wet equipment home to dry.
Thank you very much to one and all who came to Lauriston.
Janet Clark - -Organiser
Overview
Planners update 8th Feb: Please take note
- The whole area is very muddy, please wear appropriate footwear
- Parts of the White and Yellow courses will have markers or smiley faces to help with route choice between controls
- Those entered on the Blue, Green or Red (aka Long Orange) should read this document with details about the mapping style Lauriston Castle 10 Feb Long Course Notice
And a reminder of the free Short White course for the even-younger orienteers
Local event based at Lauriston Castle with the longer courses using the new extension to the Cramond Foreshore.
Entries open on Monday 29th January
Pre-event Information
Location Info
/-3.27886,55.96873,11/500x400?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGF1bGZyb3N0IiwiYSI6ImNscGg3eGRlMjA0cm8yaW52aGhtY2lxZjQifQ.Lc483ZPI9QPGNrBpcqqywQ)
Near: Edinburgh Lat,Lng: 55.96873,-3.27886 OS Grid Ref: NT203758 Postcode: EH4 6AF What3Words: ///mops.guard.fend
Open an interactive map in: GoogleMap - OpenStreetMap - AppleMaps - BingMap
Directions / Parking
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 ///mops.guard.fend
There are plenty of options for getting there. Please use public transport or share cars if at all possible.
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.
Car share: Edinburgh based orienteers are welcome to join the newly expanded Edinburgh Orienteers - Car sharing WhatsApp group. Please contact email hidden; JavaScript is required for the joining link.
Public Transport Options
By Bus: Check Lothian Buses website to plan your journey, the number 47 stops right outside.. Other Lothian and out of town bus services, such as Stagecoach, 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 and there will be a tent to leave bags.
Map / Terrain
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 pavements adjoining the castle grounds to get to the Cramond Foreshore area. There are no major road crossings so no age restrictions but please take care on the pavements.
Course Maps: These will be printed on waterproof paper and control descriptions will be printed on the map. No loose control descriptions.
Safety Notes
- Other Users: The Lauriston Castle and the Cramond Foreshore areas are very well used by the general public, including dog walkers, runners and bikers. Please respect their right to be there at the same time as you are orienteering.
- Please respect the Out pf Bounds areas in the Castle grounds.
- Dogs: Competitor’s dogs are allowed and should be kept under very close control at all times.
- SAFETY NOTE RE DOGS: Please give any dog walkers you encounter whilst running on your course extra space ie don’t run too close, especially if their dog/dogs are off lead. This applies to all competitors, not just those running with a dog. We always need to respect other people's right to be there.
- Course Closure Time: All courses have a closure time of 3pm after which controls will start to be brought in (before it gets dark. All competitors should be back at Download by 3pm.
- You must report to Download even if you do not complete your course, so we know you are back safely, and we don’t have to mount a search for you.
- Please check the weather forecast on the day and dress appropriately. This event is mostly in the grounds of Lauriston Castle although 3 of the courses go out outwith the estate on pavements and grassy slopes, so please wear the most 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.
Please read and respect the British Orienteering Participant Code of Conduct.
Course Information
There are 6 courses at this event ie White, Yellow, Orange and Red courses for beginners and improvers plus Green and Blue courses for experienced orienteers.
Notes
- The Orange, Yellow And White courses are all within the Lauriston Castle grounds
- The Blue, Green and Red courses go outwith the Castle grounds onto the Cramond Foreshore but there are no major road crossings, so no age restrictions.
- The Red course is designed for adult beginners who would like a longer run than Orange.
- The White course is almost all on hard tracks so buggy and wheelchair friendly.
- There will also be a free Short White course (0,5km) available for very young juniors to enter on the day - no pre-entry available or required.
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.
Here are the final course details
| Course | Length | Climb | Scale | Size |
| Blue | 5.9km | 80m | 1:6000 | A3 |
| Green | 4.9km | 60m | 1:6000 | A3 |
| Red (Long Orange) | 5.2km | 60m | 1:6000 | A3 |
| Orange | 2.6km | 20m | 1:2500 | A4 |
| Yellow | 1.9km | 10m | 1:2500 | A4 |
| White | 1.3km | 10m | 1:2500 | A4 |
| Short White | 0.6km | 10m | 1:2500 | A4 |
Entry Details
Pre-Entry via Racesignup here is advised for this event. Entries open Monday 29th January at 10am and will finally close at 8pm on Friday 9th February
However 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): Entry on the day will be available at Registration as long as maps are available - see section below.
On the RaceSignUp page you can view
- an entry list for all competitors and their chosen start blocks (scroll down to the Start List section). Please note that you can arrive at the start any time within your block.
- number of maps left, ie entry limit-no of entries in the Courses box, from 3pm on Tuesday 6th February
Entry Fees: For 2024 we have a new range of Individual entry fees following membership restructuring by British Orienteering and increases in levy charges to support insurance cover for all competitors
| Category | BOF Members | SOA Members | Non Members |
| Seniors (over 25) | £4.50 | £5.50 | £6.50 |
| Juniors/Students/Young adults (21-25) | £2.50 | £3.50 | £4.50 |
As well as individuals the entry system also allows pairs, groups or families who wish to go round a course together (sharing one map and dibber) to enter using a sliding scale of fees. Full details of how to enter pairs and groups (or as a Student) are on the RaceSignUp entry page. NB The RaceSignUp entry process for these categories has also changed for 2024
| Category | BOF members | SOA only members | Non members |
| 2 Seniors | £5.50 | £6.50 | £7.50 |
| 2 Juniors | £3.00 | £4.00 | £5.00 |
| 1 Senior + 1 Junior | £5.00 | £6.00 | £7.00 |
| 1 Senior + 2 Juniors | £5.50 | £6.50 | £7.50 |
| 2 Seniors + 1 Junior | £6.00 | £7.00 | £8.00 |
| 2 Seniors + 2 Juniors | £6.50 | £7.50 | £8.50 |
| 2 Seniors + 3 Juniors | £7.00 | £8.00 | £9.00 |
SportIdent (SI) electronic timing will be used.
We have SI dibbers for hire free of charge via the pre-entry system but there is a £30 charge if lost.
Registration and Start times
REGISTRATION will be open from 11:45am -1.15pm for limited Entry on the Day (EOD) if maps are still available. Payment by cash, bank transfer or by card/contactless. Please try to have the correct money if at all possible.
There is a free Short White course (0.5kn) for very young juniors which can be entered at Registration
HIRED DIBBERS, 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 3pm 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.
Facilities
- Coffee and cake at Lauriston Castle courtyard, Mimi's Bakehouse Mon, Wed- Fri 9am - 4pm (10am - 4pm weekends) with toilets close by.
- During 1 October 2023 – 31 March 2024 visits to the house (i.e. the Castle) have to be pre-booked and are by guided tour only.
- Pre-Event Coaching - for ESOC members only. Want to improve your orienteering skills? There will be coaching available before the event from 11:00 - 12:00 to help you get the most from the event and improve your orienteering skills. The coaching will be available for both adults and juniors and we will split participants into suitable groups with exercises appropriate for their skill levels. The coaching is available for ESOC members only and is free of charge. Juniors must be accompanied at all times. You must pre-register by 2pm Tuesday 6th February for the coaching session by signing up as part of the online event registration on Racesignup. More details will be sent to those who sign up before the deadline. Any queries please get in touch with email hidden; JavaScript is required
Dog restrictions
Dogs are allowed but should be kept under very close control at all times.
Nearest A&E Hospital
See details under Important Event Information.
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