Loch Na Bo Estate

Event Summary

Loch Na Bo - Regional Event

Update 24 April 2026.  These are the final details.  Please note that there are ticks active in the forest, so please check yourself after your run and remove them as soon as possible.

Update 20 April 2026.  Please note that final courses details have been released and that there has been a change to the car parking field location.  Full details are shown below under course information and car parking respectively.  The change to the car parking field location has meant a shortened walk to the start and from the finish.

With our thanks to the Loch Na Bo Estate, welcome to our regional event at Loch Na Bo near Llanbryde on Sunday 26 April 2026.  The area has not been used for an orienteering event for over 13 years.  After some localised felling, the area is back in use and offers some fine terrain with good contour features and areas of runnable deciduous and coniferous forest.  The previous routegagdet is linked here: 2013-02-10 Loch na Bo Colour Coded Event.

Loch Na Bo is a lovely forest that surrounds a loch and Loch Na Bo House.  It comprises a mixture of coniferous and deciduous forest, and a path network. It has some lovely contour features and a number of trails.  The area around Loch Na Bo House is private and strictly out of bounds to all competitors.  This area will be marked as out of bounds on the map.  Parking will be in a field (linked here:https://maps.app.goo.gl/3nfkwJNd2HxEPpLy9?g_st=am) with a £3 charge. 

Courses close at 2.30 pm.  You must report to download by this time, even if you retire and do not complete the course.

There will be a pop-up cafe at the event, thanks to Anne and Rob, so please stay after your run and have your change ready to get a well deserved drink and a piece of cakel

American Skunk-Cabbage.  Please note that a localised area south of the loch has a bed of American Skunk-Cabbage (near to control # 207).  The plant has a yellow flower and green foliage, but is toxic if ingested and has a 'skunky' odour that it emits when its blooms.  The area will be cordoned on the ground and marked as OOB on the map to preserve it for the pleasure of other forest users.  Please do not touch or pick the plants, cross into the cordon, or trample them.  

American Skunk Cabbage

Cross country
Regional
SI AIR
1030-1230 hours
1100-1300 hours
1430 hours
88370
On Leads
Online
SiEntries

Directions and Parking

Directions.  All routes to the event should come from the A96 bypass, south of Llanbryde (location here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/L7C5SKSNMkuJKkFu7?g_st=am).  Please take the junction south, signed 'Fogwatt 4, Millbuies 4', passing immediately under the railway bridge.  Continue for 250m and turn first left.  Follow the road (anticlockwise) for approximately 600m to a farm.  Turn left at the farm (this will be signed) and follow a track up the hill and around a line of trees and into the parking field.  The field's location is shown here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/5uquncLto7XDQAJY9?g_st=am. We ask that all vehicles be in the car parking field before 12.00 pm.  On leaving the event, please exit the car parking field the same way and turn right at the farm entrance to follow the same route back to the A96.  Due to the narrow roads, please note that we ask vehicles not to leave the car parking field before 12.15 pm.  

Parking.  Parking will be in a field at the following location:https://maps.app.goo.gl/5uquncLto7XDQAJY9?g_st=am.  There will be a £3 charge, so please have your change ready.  The field will have track matting put down at the entrance.  

Registration/Assembly.  Registration and assembly will be in the parking field linked above.  All white and yellow course competitors must collect their maps from registration before heading to the start.  

Toilets:  Two portaloos will be available on the track bend adjacent to the car parking field.  

Start and Finish

Start.  The route to the start will be approximately 350m.  Please exit the parking field and follow the marked route heading east into the woods.  There will be a clothing dump at the entrance to the woods, as the route from the finish will follow the same way back. 

Finish.  The finish is approximately 350m from the parking field.  The route from the finish will follow a track out of the wood and then the same way back as the route to the start.  Please remember to collect any clothing left at the clothing dump and download at the parking field.  

Start Times.  No start times will be allocated, so please just turn up when ready and follow the instructions of the starting official.

All courses will have a punching start and a punching finish.

At registration

Courses

Nine Courses:

  • White: 1.8 km, 30 m climb, 11 controls.
  • Yellow: 2.1 km, 35 m climb, 11 controls. 
  • Orange: 3.3 km, 50 m climb, 13 controls. 
  • Red: 4.1 km, 65 m climb, 9 controls.
  • Light Green: 3.9 km, 80 m climb, 12 controls.
  • Short Green: 3.7 km, 80 m climb, 12 controls.
  • Green. 4.8 km, 100 m climb, 16 controls.
  • Blue. 6.2 km, 140 m climb, 18 controls.
  • Brown. 10.3 km, 185 m climb, 29 controls.

Map Scale: Brown and Blue courses 1:10000.  Green to Orange courses: 1:7500.  Yellow and White courses 1:5000.

Please note that the Brown course has a map flip.

Loose control descriptions available at the start.

Terrain

Planner's Notes

Loch na Bo is a vast wooded area with a loch, two ponds and a very comprehensive path network.  It is a popular dog walking area through the week and more popular at the weekends, with families and children walking around the loch area. 

The forest makes for some great orienteering, though there are fallen trees to navigate, with some crossing the path network.  Some of these trees have been mapped.  The forest floor is a mixture of fallen tree branches, heather and bracken. This will slow your progress down slightly.  The visibility in the forest is very good.  The thickets are mostly rhododendrons, plus the odd gorse bush.

There are also two felled areas on the map.  They are passable with due care.  There are also a few unmapped extractions lanes plus the odd deer track (not mapped).  On the southern part of the map, there is the Cranloch Riding Centre.  They use most of the southern mapped area for riding.  Competitors are advised to be aware if you happen to encounter riders.  Please slow down and approach the rider and horse with caution.

Brown and Blue courses 1;10000, 5m Contours. Green to Orange courses 1:7500, 5m Contours. Yellow and White courses 1:5000, 5m Contours

Entry Details

Entries are online via SI Entries only.  

  • Entries closed at 23:59 pm on Wednesday 22 April 2026.
  • Limited Entry on the Day, subject to an additional £1 and map availability.  

EOD Entry Fees (With £1 addition included over normal fees): 

  • Senior (21 and older) BOF Member - £13.00.
  • Senior SOA-only Member - £14.00.
  • Senior Non-Member - £15.00. 
  • Junior (20 and younger) and Student BOF/SOA Members - £9.00
  • Junior/Student Non-Member - £10.00.

£1 discount if using own SI-Card. 

SiEntries

Final Details

Safety Information

  • General Hazards.
    • Competitors take part in this event at their own risk.
    • Competitors must wear full leg cover and shoes with grip are recommended.
  • Other People/Activities.  
    • Competitors must be aware of members of the public and other competitors on the courses and take care to avoid collisions.
    • Participants are advised that on the southern part of the map, there is the Cranloch Riding Centre.  They use most of the southern mapped area for riding.  Competitors are advised to be aware of horses if you encounter them.  Please slow down and approach them with caution.  
  • Road Hazards.  Participants advised that the area has a single-tracked road of very-low traffic density leading to/from Loch Na Bo House.  'Caution runner' signs will be displayed on the road to warn road users of participants. 
  • Water Hazards.  Participants are advised that there are water hazards (Loch Na Bo Loch and two smaller ponds).  These must not be entered or crossed.
  • Trip Hazards.  Participants advised to be aware of trip hazards (including tree roots, stony and broken ground, kerbs, steps and fallen branches/logs), slopes and steps, slippery paths, uneven surfaces, litter and dog fouling, and low branches near control sites. 
    • Plant Hazard.  Participants are advised that there is an area south of the loch which contains American Skunk-Cabbage - a plant with a yellow flower and green foliage, but toxic if ingested.  This area will be cordoned on the ground and marked as OOB on the map to preserve it for the pleasure of other forest users.  All participants must not cross into the cordon, touch/pick/eat the plants or trample them. 
    • Vehicle Hazard - Car Park.  Participants are advised to be mindful of vehicles moving in and around the car parking area.
    • Tick Hazard.  Participants are advised that the area may have ticks; to check for them after participating; and to remove them as soon as possible.
    • Disorientation.  Participants advised that in the event of disorientation then they should head north-west until they meet either the main road/track that bisects the area, Loch Na Bo or a major forest path, and re-locate from their.

    Event Officials

    Andrew Campbell
    Dougie Condy
    Fixtures@mor.scot
    Andrew Campbell
    07951628600
    Lynne Walker

    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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