Mary Erskine School and Ravelston Woods

ESOC local event in Edinburgh and the Lothians

Sat 25th Apr 2015

Info updated: 18th Feb
Type of event: Local
Type of terrain: Parkland, Woodland

Results

Results now available (plus WinSplits split time analysis too)

Everyone woke up to a torrentially wet morning; and we'd seen the forecast which showed that the rain would pass over by the afternoon.  This seemed hard to believe.  It was amazing how the sun came out, the  temperature hotted up, and the Mary Erskine school grounds and Ravelston Wood revealed themselves in total spring perfection; pink blossom, bright green grass, trees bursting into leaf, etc.  If anything, the customers this afternoon were even more varied than usual; old hands, young families, newcomers of all ages; not forgetting a special welcome to the Edinburgh Walking and Socialising Group, some of whom are becoming very keen.   

Thank you all for coming, and thank you to the large team of ESOC members who planned the courses, put out the controls, carried everything up from the car park and back, and generally gave advice and support to all the competitors.   It was a great afternoon; and all the better for the contrast with the wet early morning.

General Information

Dress: As usual we'd like you to check the weather forecast for the day of the event and dress appropriately. It can be muddy in the woods.

Terrain:  School grounds and playing fields with adjoining woods.  

Other Users: The school grounds will be used by people taking part in other sports.  The adjoining woods are used by the general public, including dog walkers. Please respect their right to be there at the same time as you are orienteering there.

Dogs: Dogs are NOT allowed in the school grounds though they can be out on a lead in the car park (only).  If possible please leave your dog at home on this occasion.  

Location

Nearest town: City of Edinburgh

• Grid Ref: NT221739
• Postcode: EH4 3NT
• Latitude: 55.95287
• Longitude: -3.25421
• Google Map (aerial) - Bing Map (OS)

Directions

Car parking for the Mary Erskine School and Sports Centre is entered from Craigleith Rise, off Ravelston Dykes, Edinburgh.  The School and Sports Centre are in the city of Edinburgh and it should be possible to come to this event by bus.  Check Lothian Buses website for more information about local buses.

Registration & Start Times

REGISTRATION: This will be from 1.30pm to 3pm in the Mary Erskine School Sports Centre.  It is not necessary - or possible – to pre-enter for this event.  Everyone is very welcome, just to turn up.  Please try to come and start early if you think you might take a long time over your course. Controls will be brought in from 4pm promptly.

START AND FINISH will be close to Registration in the Sports Centre. Start times will be from 1.30pm to 3pm.

COURSES CLOSE at 4pm promptly so it is essential that you report to the Finish by 4pm, even if you have not completed your course.  

Course Information

There will be White, Yellow and Orange courses and a course for more experienced orienteers.  This is an excellent area for beginners and improvers and it can be used by more experienced orienteers for training.

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

Seniors (born 1994 or earlier)
British Orienteering members - £3
Non-members - £5

Juniors (born 1995 or later)
British Orienteering members - £2
Non-members - £2.50

Students
British Orienteering members - £2
Non-members - £2.50

Groups (Adults + children)
British Orienteering members - £4
Non- members - £5

SportIdent (SI) electronic timing will be used.  If you have your own SI please bring it with you. We will have SIs for hire free of charge but there is a £30 charge if lost.

Contacts / Officials

Phone Janet on 0131 225 7771

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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