Edinburgh Southern Orienteering Club

Mary Erskine School and Ravelston WoodsSat 14 Mar

Mary Erskine and Ravelston Woods
Mary Erskine and Ravelston Woods

Local event

Last updated: Fri 12 December, 2025

Local event

Explanation of event types

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.

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Terrain type: Parkland & Woodland

Overview

Local event organised in partnership with the Mary Erskine and Stewarts Melville schools Orienteering club (ESMS)

Results

We plan to upload live results during the event to: Live results link
But sometimes things happen and it may not be possible.

Location Info

Near: Edinburgh
Lat,Lng: 55.9529,-3.2491
OS Grid Ref: NT218737
Postcode: EH4 3LU
What3Words: ///move.dart.olive

Open an interactive map in:
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Directions / Parking

The event will be based just outside the Mary Erskine School Sports Centre (Post Code: EH4 3NT) which can be approached from Ravelston Dykes, where although there is a small car park, you are requested to use the small car park dedicated for the Mary Erskine School Sports Centre on the opposite side of the school grounds, just off Craigleith Rise (///pages.nods.glaze). If there are no spaces left, please park in surrounding streets. Please be considerate of local residents if you are parking in public streets. If you are changing your clothes in your car please try to be discreet!!

Please try to walk, use public transport or bike to the event if you possibly can.

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 the Lothian Buses website. Route 38 passes near the event.
 

By bike – Please see this map on the Edinburgh Council Quiet Routes website. for dedicated cycleways

There will be a bag drop tent located near Registration

Map / Terrain

Terrain: Grounds of the Mary Erskine school plus the intricate Ravelston Woods with interesting contours.

Course Maps: Based on the 2005 version by Peel Services Ltd and extended and updated to the latest ISSOM standard.in 2024. The maps will be printed at A4 on waterproof paper, the control descriptions will be printed on the map (no loose control descriptions) and the map scale will be 1:3500.

Safety Notes

General notes - please also read the Course specific notes below

  • Other Users: Ravelston Woods is 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 of Bounds area in the school grounds (don't want to upset the groundsman)
  • Dogs are not allowed as the event takes place on school grounds
  • Course Closure Time: All courses have a closure time of 4pm after which controls will start to be brought in (before it gets dark. All competitors should be back at Download by 4pm.
  • 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.

Course Information

As usual at ESOC events there will be courses to suit all abilities -planned by two of the older members of the ESMS School orienteering club.

  • White and Yellow for Juniors - the courses stay within the school grounds
  • Orange for more experienced juniors and Long Orange for improvers and runners
  • A more technical course for more experienced orienteers

Read more about Course lengths and Difficulty here

Entry Details

Pre-entry using RaceSignUp will be required for this event. Entries will open at 10am on Monday 2nd March and will close at 6pm on Friday 13th March

However to be guaranteed a course map on waterproof paper for your chosen course you MUST pre-enter by 8pm on Monday 9th March.

On the RaceSignUp page (first time users will need to create an account) 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.

Entry Fees:

CategoryBOF MembersSOA MembersNon Members
Seniors (26 and over)£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

CategoryBOF membersSOA only membersNon 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.

If you would like to buy your own SI-Card then a variety are available directly from SportIdent UK. The choice may be confusing and it may help you to know that the SI-Cards which ESOC hires out are very similar to the most basic model shown on the linked page - the SI-Card 8.

Registration and Start times

Registration: Will be open from 12:45am -2.15pm in a tent or gazebo close to the Sports Hall, for

  • Entry on the Day (EOD) if maps are still available. Payment by cash, or card/contactless. Please try to have the correct money if at all possible.
  • Collection of hired dibbers and White and Yellow maps:
  • Advice and help for beginners

The Start will be close to Registration. Start Times: From 1.00pm to 2.30pm with course closure at 4pm. You should be back at Download by 4pm as controls will start to be brought in by 4pm 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.

Facilities

There are no public toilets available but there are numerous options for calling in at a supermarket or shopping centre on your way to the event.

Dog restrictions

Dogs are NOT ALLOWED as the event takes place on school grounds

Contacts / Officials

Advance enquires: email hidden; JavaScript is required

Entry enquiries: email hidden; JavaScript is required

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