Darnaway Forest

Event Summary

Local Event - Darnaway Black Loch

With thanks to Moray Estates, welcome to the latest Moravian local event of 2026.  This time, we will be at Darnaway Black Loch on Saturday 16 May.  The area was last used for an orienteering event in October 2024.  The routegadget is linked here: 2024-10-19 Darnaway North Local Event. 

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
Local
SI AIR
10:00 am -12:00 pm
10:30 am -12:30 pm
2 pm
88555
In Car Park
Online
SiEntries

Directions and Parking

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).

Start and Finish

TBC

At registration

Courses

Three courses:

  • Light Green - TBC
  • Orange - TBC
  • Yellow - TBC

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.

Entry Details

Entries are online via SI Entries only.  

  • Entries open online from Sunday 3 May and will close at 23:59 pm on Wednesday 13 May 2026 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 - £6.00.
  • Senior SOA-only Member - £7.00.
  • Senior Non-Member - £8.00. 
  • Junior (20 and younger) and Student BOF/SOA Members - £4.00.
  • Junior/Student Non-Member - £5.00.

£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

Nikki Howard
Karen Fraser
littleblervie@icloud.com
Rob Parkinson

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.