darnaway start

Event Summary

Update 4 September 2025.  Final details published.  See Final Details section below.

By kind permission of Moray Estates, we welcome you to the beautiful Darnaway Forest for some excellent orienteering.  The area will be Darnaway East.  The area was last used in 2023 (routegadget here: 2023-09-09 Darnaway Regional Event).

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 regrowth 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.

Event parking, registration and download will be in the parking area at the rear of Conicaval Hall, with starts and finish a short distance away.  Please note that there is no access to the Hall, so the nearest public toilets are located in Forres (by Grant Park).

Well-behaved dogs are welcome at registration and in the car park, but no dogs are allowed on any of the courses.

Cross country
Local
SI AIR
1000-1130 hours
1030-1200 hours
1330 hours
87124
In Car Park
Online
SIEntries

Directions and Parking

Directions.  From the West, drive through Brodie and, after approximatety 1 Km, turn right, signed 'Conicaval 2'.  Continue for approximately 500m until a T-junction and turn right.  Continue for approximately 600m and turn left at a T-junction, signed 'Conicaval 2'.  Continue along this road for approximately two miles and into Conicaval.  Turn first right (just past postbox) and then 50m along a track, left turn into field (https://w3w.///yell.uttering.fiery).  Car parking will be on the grass at the side of the building.   

From the East, drive through Forres and over the Findhorn Bridge.  After approximately 500m, turn left signed 'Darnaway 2'.  Follow this road for approximately 1.5 km and then turn left at a T-junction signed 'Conicaval 2'.  Then follow the directions above.  

Please note that the track to access the parking is narrow and uneven.  Please respect the residents of Conicaval when approaching, and be aware of pedestrians on the road heading to and from the start/finish. 

Parking, Assembly and Download.   Parking, assembly and download will be in the car park at the rear of Conicaval Hall. https://w3w.///yell.uttering.fiery. 

Toilets.  The nearest public toilets will be at Forres - near Grant Park. 

Start and Finish

Start and Finish.   The route to the start will be taped. You will be required to cross the road when you leave the parking area to reach the taped route.  Traffic volume is low, but please be mindful of traffic.  The start and finish are approximately 600m from the parking area. 

At registration

Courses

The following courses will be on offer:

  • Yellow. 2.5 km, 60m Climb;
  • Orange. 3.1 km, 100m Climb;
  • Light Green. 3.8 km, 175m Climb.

All competitors MUST report to Download by the course closing time of 1330 hours, even if they have not completed their course. Failure to do so could result in a search for them being instigated.  Please check that your children have also reported to Download.

It is required by BOF (British Orienteering Federation) that full leg cover be worn.  It is also recommended to wear grippy shoes.  You might also consider taking a whistle.  The forecast for Saturday is looking dry and sunny with light winds, please check the weather and come appropriately prepared, with a waterproof if it looks to be damp. 

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 regrowth which is thick and some well spaced pine).  Underfoot varies 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.  On the longer courses there are some paths with steep slopes; also wind-felled trees, some of which are significant.  Please do not climb on or touch any machinery or log piles you may come across. 

You may encounter blue tape in the forest - please ignore, this is nothing to do with our event. 

Bio-security.  Tree diseases and pests are posing an increasing threat to our forests and can be spread very quickly from forest to forest on muddy tyres, boots or paws.   Please clean all footwear before your next trip into the forest. 

1:7500, 5m contours.

Entry Details

Entries are online via SI Entries only.  

  • Entries open online from 16 August 2025 and will close at 23:59 pm on Wednesday 3 September 2025 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

Final Details (97.44 KB)

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.
  • Competitors are advised that the area has some steep slopes.  Please be aware of trip hazards, slopes and steps, uneven surfaces, litter and dog fouling, and low branches near control sites. 
  • Competitors are advised to take care on any wooden bridges which can be damp and extremely slippery - use the areas covered by chicken wire.
  • Darnaway could have ticks which may cause Lyme Disease, if not promptly removed.  Competitors are strongly advised to check themselves afterwards for ticks and remove them ASAP. 
  • Competitors are advised to be mindful of traffic on the way to the start and from the finish.
  • Competitors are advised not to climb on or touch any machinery or log piles. 
  • Please note that Darnaway Forest is a popular venue for walkers and cyclists.  Please be careful and avoid collisions with members of the public and other competitors.
  • First Aid will be available at Assembly.  The nearest A&E hospital – Dr Grays Hospital, Elgin.  
  • If you display symptoms of COVID, then please do not attend the event.

Event Officials

Fran Britain
Karen Fraser
secretary@mor.scot
Paul Furness
0771 459 6653

COVID-19

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.  

Results (117.25 KB)
Route gadget