North Berwick Law
SUNDAY 1st September 2024
Organiser’s Report
Thanks to all those who came to compete and to the many helpers who made the event possible.
It was particularly good to see several first-time orienteers today – we hope you will join us again at our next event at Yellowcraig when we are back in our regular of the last Saturday in the month on 28th September.
Results
- Simple results are here.
- Routegadget allows you to plot your route, either by hand or by downloading a gpx file from a watch or phone and to look where you and others went.
- Winsplits Online gives another way of comparing your times for each leg.
- British Orienteering collect results from all events and publish ranking scores for larger events.
Advance Information
Type of event:
Local event in the East of Scotland Orienteering Association (ESOA) series
North Berwick Law is a conical hill which looms over the town and reaches 187 metres above sea level. The Law is a volcanic plug similar to Arthur’s Seat and the top has the remains of an Iron Age hill fort as well as the ruins of military buildings used by lookouts in time of war. A replica whale jawbone atop the Law provides a distinctive backdrop to the town.
Orienteers of all abilities are welcome to join us on the day when we will have a range of courses to suit everyone.
Please note that due to restrictions on ground nesting birds during the month of August, this event is taking place on SUNDAY rather than Saturday.
Terrain:
- None of today’s courses visit the upper slopes of the Law but they all include the physical challenges of appreciable ascent and descent.
- Gorse cover is hard to map accurately. Gorse spreads rapidly but is trimmed by the Ranger service and some thickets become hollowed out as the ponies use them for shelter in poor weather.
- Fences should not be climbed over. Crossing points are marked as compulsory on the map, including one temporary stile.
- One ascent path is marked on our map as OOB. Do not cross the orange mesh fences used to close this path.
- Observe any out of bounds areas.
Safety Information:
- There are dangerous cliffs and high crags which must be avoided by all competitors. Solid purple OOB lines above cliffs and high crags must not be crossed.
- Some controls on the Green course are on or near steep slopes where a fall could be potentially serious. If you suffer from vertigo or are unsteady in such circumstances you should not attempt this course.
- The extensive marsh on the north side of the Law is becoming wetter and deeper due to wildlife management measures. Competitors must not attempt to enter or cross the marsh itself.
- The path network is generally good but does have steep sections so appropriate footwear with good grip is needed for all courses.
- There may be ticks in the area so remember to check yourself after the event.
- There are nettles, thistles, gorse and brambles so good leg cover is needed for courses which leave the path network – ie Orange and Light Green.
- Ponies graze the Law. They do not pose a threat to the public but should not be approached and must not be fed.
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, particularly where the ponies may be encountered.
Toilets
There are no toilet facilities at the assembly area. Toilets are available at North Berwick Sports Centre (500m from assembly), and in the town centre (1000m from assembly).
Accessibility
Due to the steep nature of the Law and its surrounds none of the courses are accessible by buggies or wheelchairs.
Catering
Cake and hot drinks will be offered in return for cash donations to Mary’s Meals.
Location
Nearest Town: North Berwick
Grid Ref: NT 552 842
Nearest Postcode: EH39 5NX
Directions
Please do not park at the Law car park as it will be in high demand from members of the public. There is a car park at North Berwick Sports Centre which is a 500 metre walk from Assembly, Registration and Download which are all at the Law car park. There is also on-street car parking within a few hundred metres to north or to the west of Assembly. What3Words : illogical.wolf.packages
Public Transport
If you’d like to come by public transport, it’s a 20 minute walk from the rail station (trains from Edinburgh are roughly every hour on Saturdays) or a 5 minute walk from the 124 bus stop at North Berwick Sports Centre. There are pavements and a footpath all the way.
Registration & Start Times
Registration
This will be online and for newcomers at the car park – look for the ELO flag and tent.
Please select an early start time if you think you might take a long time to complete your course.
Start and Finish:
Start times will be from 1:30pm to 3:00pm. We won’t be allocating start times; start when you are ready.
The Start and Finish locations are close to Law car park within 100 metres of Registration.
Courses Close:
The courses will close at 4:00pm, so if you have not completed your course by then, you should stop and return to assembly.
You must report to the Download point, whether you complete the course or not, so that we know you are not lost or injured somewhere on the Law.
Course Information
Map
The map is printed at 1:5000 with 5m contours.
Timing
SportIdent (SI) electronic timing will be used – we will have SIs for hire free of charge but there is a £30 charge if lost. Units, apart from start and finish, will be set for contactless punching.
Courses
There will be White, Yellow, Orange and Light Green courses.
| Course | Length / Ascent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| White | 1.7km / 50m | For competitive 9-10 year olds and 11-12 year old beginners. Follows paths with a control at each choice point. |
| Yellow | 2.2km / 60m | For competitive 11-12 year olds and 13-14 year old beginners. Follows line features with controls after choice points. |
| Orange | 3.km / 100m | For competitive 13-14 year olds and beginner adults. Controls near paths or line features. |
| Light Green | 4.1km / 190m | For more experienced orienteers. Challenging navigation including route choice and rougher terrain. |
More details about the colour coding is available on the Scottish Orienteering website.
Planner:
Pete Younger
Entry Charges
Entry is cheaper if you are a current 2024 member of a club affiliated to Scottish or British Orienteering.
Please ensure that your membership has been renewed for 2024.
| British Orienteering member | Scottish Orienteering member | Non‑member | Late entry | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seniors | £4.50 | £5.50 | £6.50 | +£1 |
| Juniors | £2.50 | £3.00 | £3.50 | +50p |
| Pair of Seniors | £6.00 | £7.00 | £8.00 | +£1 |
| Pair of Juniors (no accompanying adults) | £3.50 | £4.00 | £4.50 | +50p |
| Junior and Parent | £4.50 | £5.50 | £6.50 | +£1 |
| Family Groups (one or more children accompanied by one or more adults) | £6.00 | £7.00 | £8.00 | +£1 |
| Second Course (white/yellow/orange) | £1.00 | £1.00 | £1.00 |
*Members of any orienteering club will receive a discount but we do charge extra for late entries received after we order the maps (usually the Monday before the event).
Safety and Risk
A comprehensive risk assessment 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.
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.
2 thoughts on “North Berwick Law
SUNDAY 1st September 2024”
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Hi
I don’t suppose you allow any entries on the day do you? I’d meant to sign up to the North Berwick Law event but left it too late!
Thanks
Gareth
We will have entry on the day – look forward to seeing you there!