Binning Wood
Saturday 24th February 2024
Open runnable woodland
A bright February afternoon saw a strong turnout enjoying the challenges of Binning Wood. Despite improved weather recently the woods are still very wet and anybody who came hoping for muddy conditions will not have gone away disappointed.
Many thanks to all who came to compete, and to the large team helping stage the event. Particular thanks to Duncan Edmondson for his courses which were very well received.
Parking continues to be in short supply at Binning so it was gratifying that several people came on foot or by bike from the nearest public transport – including the new station at East Linton.
Catering contributions raised £38 for Mary’s Meals.
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
Binning Wood was replanted after 1945 with conifers and beech and has a complex network of rides, paths and ditches which can be disorientating to the unwary. Much of the site has become overrun with rhododendron, but ongoing clearance work has dramatically improved runnability. In many areas visibility has improved and hidden ditches have reappeared, although the brashings will slow you down.
Orienteers of all abilities are welcome to join us on the day when we will have a range of courses to suit everyone.
Terrain:
- Mixed woodland which is notable for three large circular clearings. These clearings have up to 13 paths leading out of them and will challenge your navigation
- Binning Wood has suffered in the past from being overgrown with rhododendrons but there has been much clearing in recent years leading to areas which are very open and runnable
- An area at north of the map is a green burial site – the Binning Memorial Wood. This area is marked on all maps as out of bounds to orienteers.
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.
Parking:
Please share cars if possible – as parking space is very limited.
The main public car park at the SW corner of the wood is well used by the public. There is a smaller car park 200 metres NW. If the weather remains dry we may ask late arrivals to park on the verge. Please do not park beside the A198 nor on the private ground immediately opposite the main car park.
Toilets:
Public toilets are available at East Linton (4km). There are toilets for customers at cafes in Tyninghame village (2km) and at Smeaton Nursery Gardens (1.5km on foot or cycle – 3km by car).
Accessibility:
White and Yellow courses stick to the path network so should be accessible for rugged buggies etc.
Catering:
Hot drinks and cake will be available in exchange for donations to Mary’s Meals. Cash donations preferred if possible.
Location
Nearest Town: East Linton
Grid Ref: NT 593 801
Nearest Postcode: EH40 3DU
Directions
Leave the A1 at either Haddington (if coming from the west; take the second Haddington junction, known as “Abbotsview” and signed “Haddington/East Linton”) or Dunbar (if coming from the south) and then follow the A199 (“the old A1”) to its junction with the A198 signposted North Berwick. Follow the A198 for 2 straight kilometres to Tyninghame village. Turn left onto the B1407 and take the next right after 1 km onto the minor road signposted Newbyth and Lawhead. Go north for 1.5 km to the south-west corner of Binning Wood.
Public Transport
Frequent bus links to East Linton are provided by EastCoastBuses (X7 and 106). A less frequent service (120 from Eve Coaches, running between North Berwick and Dunbar) passes along the eastern edge of the wood, and will stop and pick up there on request.
Nearest Defibrillator:
Registration
Registration & Start Times
Registration
This will be online in advance. Entry on the Day at Registration near the car park – look for the ELO flag.
If would like advice before going out or if you think you will take over an hour please arrive and start early.
Start and Finish:
Start times will be from 1:30pm to 3:00pm. We are not allocating start times.
The Start and Finish locations are TBC.
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.
If would like advice before going out or if you think you will take over an hour please arrive and start early.
You must report to the Download point, whether you complete the course or not, so that we know you are not lost or injured in the dunes.
Course Information
Map
The map is printed at 1:7500 with 2.5m 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 Green courses.
| Course | Length / Ascent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| White | 1.8km / 15m | For competitive 9-10 year olds and 11-12 year old beginners. Follows paths with a control at each choice point. |
| Yellow | 2.7km / 20m | For competitive 11-12 year olds and 13-14 year old beginners. Follows line features with controls after choice points. |
| Orange | 3.4km / 25m | For competitive 13-14 year olds and beginner adults. Controls near paths or line features. |
| Green | 4.2km / 30m | Suitable for experienced orienteers. A very challenging course with navigation away from paths. |
More details about the colour coding is available on the Scottish Orienteering website.
Planner:
Duncan Edmondson
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/Scottish Orienteering member* (Pre-entry) | Non‑member & late entry | |
|---|---|---|
| Seniors | £4 | £6 |
| Juniors | £1.50 | £2.50 |
| Pair of Seniors | £5 | £7 |
| Pair of Juniors (no accompanying adults) | £2 | £3 |
| Junior and Parent | £2.50 | £3.50 |
| Family Groups (one or more children accompanied by one or more adults – we would generally encourage families to split up into pairs!) | £6 | £8 |
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.
3 thoughts on “Binning Wood
Saturday 24th February 2024”
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Hi Duncan, I am coming by train and bike. Where in the wood is the assembly area so as I can plan the best route from Drem or East Linton railway stations. Cheers Jeff
Looks like near SW corner car park from text
Yes, that’s exactly where it is!