Darnaway Forest

Event Summary

Welcome to the latest Moravian local event of 2024.  Saturday 19th October sees us at Black Loch, Darnaway.  With thanks to Moray Estates, four courses will be planned: yellow, orange, light green and green.  The map has been recently updated. 

The forest, with its large areas of Oak and Beech, is looking fabulous in all its autumnal glory!  The fantastic contour detail is revealed following a few years of forestry management.  The shorter courses will be in entirely white forest, while competitors on the longer courses will be in the wrong place if they even see green!

Morag will be offering a coaching session to Moravian members just before the main event for all concerned.  Please email Morag (coach@mor.scot) if you wish to take part. 

Also, and not to be missed, will be Anne Parkinson's coffee and baking stand in aid of Moravian's junior squad funds. This will provide an opportunity for us to fuel up on the necessities: coffee and cake, gossip, comparing navigation mistakes and boasting!!

Well-behaved dogs are welcome in the Assembly Arena.  No dogs are allowed on any of the courses.  Please ensure you pick up and take home any mess.  

Cross country
Level D Local
SI AIR
1000-1130 hours
1030-1200 hours
1330 hours
85472
On Leads
Online
SiEntries

Directions and Parking

Directions.  

From the West, please drive through Brodie to the first T-junction approximately 1 km east of Brodie and signed Whitemire and Conical.  At the T-junction turn right and travel for approximately 1 km to a T-junction.  Turn right and continue for approximately 1 km to another T-junction signed Conicavel, Redstone and Whitemire.  Turn left and continue to the crossroads signed 'Logiebuchany private road' after approxiamety 1.5 km.  Turn left and continue to the estate yard for registration.

From the East, please drive through Forres and over the Findhorn Bridge.  Take the second turn on the left signed 'Darnaway'.  After approximately 2 km, turn left at the T-junction signed Conicavel, Redstone and Whitemire. Then follow the directions above.

Registration/Download.  The event registration and download will be at the Logiebuchany estate yard (IV36 2SW; Grid Ref NH987549; what3 words https://what3words.com/cobbled.website.formless).

Parking.

Car parking will be available at the Logiebuchany estate yard.  Please car share and park as close together as possible as space is limited.  Please take extra care as you drive into the estate yard as participants will be present.  

Toilets.  No Toilets.  Please use nearest public facilities in Forres.

 

At registration

Courses

Four courses:

  • Yellow.  2.1 km, 20 m climb.
  • Orange.  2.6 km, 30 m climb.
  • Light Green.  3.8 km, 90 m climb.
  • Green.  4.7 km, 145 m climb.

Terrain

Terrain

The area will be a delight to compete on – it is varied with many broadleaf areas (mainly beech) and a varying density of conifers (some re-growth which is thick and some well spaced pine). Underfoot varies as well from reasonably clean forest floor through to short grass, long grass, heather and bilberry.  There is excellent contour detail – a myriad of knolls and depressions – with some paths crossing the area.

Planner’s Notes

The woodland in this part of Darnaway varies from delightful runnable deciduous areas to some slower going coniferous sections. Runners may encounter some brashings underfoot. In the coniferous (planation) areas many paths are grassy, and can be rough in some places with the occasional fallen tree to be negotiated. Light Green and Green courses cross the Conicavel road twice, so take care! There are several smiley (and the occasional grumpy) faces on the Yellow course for encouragement, and some red and white tape for guidance at the beginning of the course where the path is indistinct. One leg common to both the Yellow and Orange course is a taped route between controls where there is no path. Start and finish are approximately 700 m from the car parking area at Logiebuchany, partly following estate tracks, and then taped on woodland paths.

1:7500, 5m contours.

Entry Details

Entries are online via SI Entries only. 

  • Entries open online from 27 September and will close at 23:59 hours on Wednesday 16 October at normal prices.
  • Late online entries and Limited Entry on the Day until 11:00 am on the day, will be subject to an additional £1 and map availability. 
  • Entries can also be edited/changed/cancelled until this closure again subject to map availability.

Entry Fees:

  • Senior Member - £5.00
  • Senior Non-Member - £6.00
  • Junior / Student Member - £3.50
  • Junior / Student Non-Member - £4.50
  • £1 discount if using own SI-Card 
SiEntries

Final Details

Safety Information

  • Competitors. Participants take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety at all times. All participants are to wear suitable footwear and full leg cover.
  • Terrain Hazards. Participants are advised that they will encounter brash, tree stumps and tree roots on the courses due to felling.
  • Log Hazards. All courses may encounter log piles due to felling which must not be climbed.
  • Water Hazards. Lochans must not be entered or crossed.
  • Roads. Running along the estate roads and the main Conicavel road is not permitted.  However, participants are permitted to cross them, as necessary.  They should verify that roads are safe to cross before doing so. They will not be marshalled, but will have ‘caution runner’ signs pre-positioned.
  • Parking. Car parking will be available at the event registration/download at Logiebuchany estate yard. Please take extra care as you drive into the estate yard as participants will be present.  If used, overflow parking will be available in a field approximately 500m from registration. Drivers may drop family members at the Logiebuchany estate yard beforehand.  The route from the field to registration routes via the main Conicavel road.  Participants must take care. ‘Caution runner’ signs will be displayed for road users. 
  • Ticks. Darnaway Forest has ticks so please check yourselves carefully after your run and remove them as soon as possible, and ideally within 48 hours.
  • First Aid. A first aid kit will be available at registration in the Logiebuchany estate yard, as and if required. The nearest hospital is Dr Gray’s in Elgin (25 mins drive away).

Event Officials

David Ritchie
Rob Parkinson
drhoneyhowe@gmail.com
Paul Furness
07966 205983

Ticks and Covid

Ticks

Risk Awareness:   Please be aware that ticks are common across many of the areas we run in and can carry infections such as Lyme Disease and Tick-Borne Encephalitis.  Ticks are active in the UK primarily from March to October, but year-round vigilance is recommended.

Prevention Strategies:   

  • Wearing full leg and abdomen cover in the forest.  
  • Applying insect repellent to exposed skin and clothing.
  • Checking yourself for ticks after your run.  Common areas for ticks include behind the knees, underarms, hairline, and any pressure points.
  • Considering vaccination against TBE, if visiting high-risk areas in Europe or Asia.

Tick Removal and Symptoms:   Consider using a tick removal tool to ensure the tick is removed quickly and completely.   If a tick has attached, it should be removed as soon as possible.

Health Action:  If symptoms develop, such as a rash or flu-like symptoms, individuals should seek medical advice promptly and mention the tick bite, as not all doctors may be familiar with the conditions.

Key Resources:

 

COVID-19 Guidance (Updated March 2025)

If you have symptoms of COVID or have tested positive to COVID, then do not attend the event or activity to help avoid spreading infection.  

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