Binn Hill

Event Summary

With our thanks to the landowner, Edward Tennant, welcome to our second local league event of 2025, which will be taking place on Sunday 16 February. This time, we will be at a new area close to Lossie Forest - Binn Hill. Come and be the first to orienteer on it!

Immediately before the event, a coaching session will be available from 09:30 am to 10:30 am. For this coaching session, all Club members and newcomers (who have yet to join the Club) are invited to attend. Please email Morag (coach@mor.scot) if you are interested in attending. Morag will provide details to you nearer the time.

Binn Hill is a relatively small hill located to the east of Lossiemouth and to west of Kingston-on-Spey. It comprises a mixture of coniferous forest, open land and a path network. It has some lovely contour features and a number of mountain trails. Parking will be in a field and subject to a £2 charge collected at the field entrance.

Four courses are on offer (provisional distances):

  • Yellow: 2.5 km. Relatively easy, shorter course. Ideal for novice and younger orienteers.
  • Orange: 3.0 km. Moderate technical difficulty (TD). Slightly longer course than yellow.
  • Red (TD3 standard): 4.2.km. For those who fancy themselves as runners! Moderate technical difficulty but longer, for those wanting to run further!
  • Light Green: 4.5 km. More technically difficult and longer course, suitable for experienced orienteers

Please note that courses close at 1:30 pm.  You must report to download by this time, even if you retire and do not complete the course.

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

Directions and Parking

Directions.  From the West, take the A96 east from Elgin towards Llanbryde and past the Threaplands Garden Centre.  After approx. 1 Km, turn left at the junction signed Urquhart and Maverston Golf Course.  Continue across the Sleepieshil,/Urquhart crossroad; through Urquhart to another crossroad.  Continue straight on towards Lochhill, where after approximately 1 km, the road turns 90 degree left.  After 2 miles, follow signs along rough farm track to parking field. 

From the East, please turn right at the A96/Urquhart T-junction east of the Threaplands Garden Centre and follow the directions above.

The event will be signposted at the A96/Urquhart T-junction and at the sandy farm track towards Speyslaw Farm.

Parking.  TBA

No toilets. Please use nearest public facilities in Lossiemouth.

Start and Finish

Start.  The start will be 1250m from assembly.  Please follow the marked route along a flat forest track until an uphill section and clothing dump.  The start is a short distance on, with absolutely stunning coastal views.

Finish.  The finish follows the same route back, past the clothing dump and along the forest track to assembly.

At registration

Courses

Four Courses:

  • Yellow - 2.5 km, 75 m climb;
  • Orange - 3.0 km, 80 m climb;
  • Red - 4.2 km, 90 m climb;
  • Light Green - 4.5 km, 130 m climb.

Terrain

Binn Hill is a relatively small hill located to the east of Lossiemouth and to west of Kingston-on-Spey.  It comprises a mixture of coniferous forest, open land and a path network.  It has some lovely contour features and a number of mountain bike trails, so please be observant for any mountain bikers using them during the event, as the area will not be for the exclusive use of orienteering.  Please note that whilst all mountain bike trails have been mapped, new ones may appear, while undergrowth may mask older ones.

Planner's Notes

Binn Hill is covered by a mixture of coniferous and deciduous woodland, with some rough open areas with scattered young trees.  Some areas have recently been replanted with conifers.  To the north of the area is a north west-south east trending ridge which forms a steep escarpment dropping down to the Lossie forest. All courses run along this ridge at some point, but do not drop down to the Lossie Forest.  The woods rise to 85 m above sea level near the finish, from where there are extensive views out over the Moray Firth.  The terrain is undulating, with many broad re-entrants.  There is an extensive path and forestry ride network throughout the area.  The area is used by mountain bikers and dog walkers, so please take care, particularly near path junctions.  Recently replanted areas are rough underfoot and slow going.

1:7500, 5m contours.

Entry Details

Entries are online via SI Entries only.  

  • Entries open online from Thursday 30 January 2025 and will close at 23:59 pm on Thursday 13 February at normal prices.  Online entries can also be edited/changed/cancelled until this closure, subject to map availability. 
  • Limited Entry on the Day subject to an additional £1 and map availability.  

Entry Fees: 

  • Senior (21 and older) BOF Member - £5.00.
  • Senior SOA-only Member - £6.00.
  • Senior Non-Member - £7.00 
  • Junior (20 and younger) and Student BOF/SOA Members - £3.50
  • Junior/Student Non-Member - £4.50

£1 discount if using own SI-Card. 

SiEntries

Final Details

Safety Information

  • Competitors take part in this event at their own risk.
  • Competitors must be aware of, and take care to avoid, other path users on the courses.
  • Please be aware of trip hazards, slopes and steps, slippery paths (ice), uneven surfaces, litter and dog fouling, and low branches near control sites. 
  • Participants are advised that the area is popular as a venue for mountain biking and there are a number of mountain bike trails which may be in use on the day.  Please be observant and take action to avoid collisions with mountain bikers and other members of the public.    
  • Participants are advised that there is a steep escarpment running along the north east of the area.  Please keep to the paths running along the ridge near the finish, where courses have been planned to keep to the top of the escarpment.
  • Please dress appropriately for an event in the North of Scotland in February.

Event Officials

Andrew Campbell and David Ritchie
Rob Parkinson
David Ritchie
Andrew (andrewandlizcampbell@outlook.com) - 07951628600; David (drhoneyhowe@gmail.com) -0796 6205983

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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