Craig a Barns - Individual Race

Last edited: 30th Mar

Sunday 8th April

Craig a Barns is known to many orienteers, and was the first specially mapped area in Scotland, used for the first Scottish Championships in 1962. The area includes some spectacular crags and a multitude of contours in a mature forest. New photos added Dec 8.
When last used for a JK the map was named Drumbuie.

Organising Clubs: BASOC, ELO, ESOC, GRAMP & KFO
Organisers: Dave & Kirsteen Kershaw (ESOC)
Planners: Clive Masson, Chris Huthwaite & Ron Nolan (ESOC)
Controllers: Brian Bullen (FVO) & Douglas Murray (MOR)

Directions

Grid ref: NO020432
Lat/Lon: 56.57N 3.60W
Postcode: PH8 0HU
Open a Google Map in a new window
Download a PDF of the directions map

Black and yellow “Orienteering Event” signs will direct traffic off the trunk road (A9).  Directions for Day 2 to Day 4 are given from the A9. Please follow these routes where possible to avoid adding to congestion or putting fellow competitors at risk.

Southbound traffic on the A9 should use the “Rotmell” junction (signposted Blairgowrie (A923) Coupar Angus (A924).  For Day 3 competitors should follow this road for 5.3 km to the parking field.  Campervans and minibuses will be directed to park in Polney Sawmill.  

Competitors travelling northbound on the A9 (or eastbound from the A822) should use the turnoff signposted Birnam/Dunkeld (A923) and not the main Dunkeld turnoff (signposted Dunkeld/Birnam/Blairgowrie A923  and Coupar Angus (A984)) .  Follow the “Perth Road” 1.7 km through Birnam to the A923 junction.  Turn right and cross the bridge over the Tay to the A984 junction at the Atholl Arms (300m).  Day 3 traffic should proceed through Dunkeld a further 1.1km to the parking field.

Traffic leaving the Day 3 area must re-join the A9 through Dunkeld and not attempt to turn northbound at the Rotmell Junction.

Parking

Cars will be parked in a field adjacent to the A923 north of Dunkeld. Buses and campervans will be parked in Polney Sawmill, adjacent to the A923 and the main car park. Parking in the sawmill will be on hard-standing ground. Space in the main car park is limited and cars should be parked as directed by officials to make best use of the area. Please car share if possible.

No exit from either car park before 12.30pm.

Assembly

The assembly area will be adjacent to the main car park and accessed by stiles. Access from the bus park will be through Polney Sawmill which is also adjacent to assembly. The assembly area is flat but tussocky in places. Space is limited but there should be sufficient room for club tents on either side of the run-in from the final control. Tents should be placed as close together as possible. The assembly area is used by the sawmill and there may be odd bits of metal or equipment lying around. These will be cleared as far as possible and otherwise taped off. Children should be warned of the possible danger and kept under supervision. Dogs must be kept on leads at all times.

Starts

Start Times: 10am to 2pm
Courses Close: 4.30pm

There are two starts for the main competition (including colour-coded courses).

The common route to both starts commences at the NE corner of assembly and includes a stretch alongside the A923 and then follows a track to a public car park. Care should be taken on this part of the route.

The Red start involves a 1.5km / 100m climb on roads and paths followed by a 300m / 90m climb on rough terrain. The last 300m is a very steep uphill climb. Sufficient time should be allowed to get to the start.

The White/Yellow start involves a 1.35km / 55m climb on roads and paths.

Elite start times

These will be based on reverse order of day two results, ie with fastest starting last. Start interval is 3 minutes. The 18E and 20E age groups are treated as a single class and have a combined start list. They will be published on this website on Saturday evening and at the Ceilidh.

Clothing Exchange

There will be a clothing dump where the routes to the starts split, approximately 200m from the white/yellow start and 600m from the red start. Clothing should be placed in the numbered bags supplied at the dump. Remember the number of the bag used for ease of collection from the assembly area. The bags will be transported back to the assembly area at regular intervals.

Map

Updated by Stirling Surveys. Waterproof paper will be used.
1:15,000 (A4 size) for courses 1 - 12
1:10,000 (310x265mm) for courses 13 – 20
1:10,000 (A4 size) for courses 21 - 30.

Terrain description

Courses 1 to 20 are run over the top of Craig a’ Barns which comprises mature and run-able mixed forest with significant contour and rock detail.  Courses 21 to 30 plus the colour coded courses use Crieff Hill which is lower and flatter than Craig a’ Barns but equally good terrain. There is a common finish for all courses.

Craig a' Barns has significant crags of interest to climbers and these are overprinted with the purple out of bounds symbol.

There are significant blocks of trees blown down by severe gales this winter, and particularly on the slope above the finish there are large areas of rhododendron bushes.; these areas can be very difficult to pass. However the map is excellent and competitors can be assured that may face very difficult but fair technical challenges.

Competitors are reminded of the ISO2000 standard which mandates solid green for trees or undergrowth that are very difficult to pass - many of these blocks are nearly impenetrable. Close green lines, for undergrowth and windblown trees which can be passed at walking speed. Widely spaced green lines, is for undergrowth / windblown trees which can be passed at a slow run speed. Competitors will encounter large individual trees blown down over the whole area and there are more branches lying on the ground than there were previously, so spiked shoes are recommended (particularly if wet).

Safety Information

All competitors take part entirely at their own risk. Competitors shall take into account their own ability to compete safely.
BOF Rule 1.7.1:

Buses and campervans are parking in a working sawmill. Although every effort will be made to minimise danger to competitors, you access this area at your own risk. Children and animals must be supervised at all times and woodpiles and machinery must not be climbed on.

Craig a’ Barns has dangerous crags which will not be taped and great care should be taken. It is an exposed area and in case of bad weather adequate clothing must be worn. Cagoules may be made compulsory. If required, notices to this effect will be prominently displayed in the assembly area and on the route to the starts.

For courses from the red start, there will be an unmanned first aid point marked on the map with a purple cross. This will contain first aid equipment and a phone from which help can be summoned.

String Course

This will be approx 400m from assembly. The string course is in a forested area to the west of Polney Sawmill and will be signposted from assembly through the sawmill. Please note that this is a working sawmill and that children must be supervised at all times in this area. The route to the string course is suitable for pushchairs but the course itself will not be.

Prize Giving

The prize giving for the individual race will take place at approx 4pm in the assembly area.

Last edited: 30th Mar

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