The ESOA Championships, also a SoSOL (South of Scotland Orienteering League) event, are based on Dechmont Law in Livingston.

Entries will open on 7th November.

LOCATION

Event is based at Deans Community High School, Livingston, which will host Registration and Download. The event takes place in the adjacent park, surrounding Dechmont Law.

• Postcode: EH54 8PS
• Streetmap
• OS Grid Ref:NT 032691
• What3Words: ///loved.dent.tricks

DIRECTIONS

By train: there are half-hourly services from Edinburgh and Glasgow to Livingston North, from which assembly is approx 600m. Please check the timetable before travelling, and beware of any strike action.

By bus: Livingston is well served by buses - see bustimes.org

By car: (£1 per car, payable on Fabian4) from the M8 come off at J3 to Livingston. Drive down the A899 south. Take the first exit, and turn right under the A899 heading east (Houstoun Road). At the Eliburn North roundabout head right towards the station, Knightsridge West and Deans. At the next roundabout go straight over, then right at the second roundabout and the entrance to the school is on your left.

ENTRY AND ENTRY FEES

Entries will open on 7th November on RaceSignup:

Entries close at midnight on Monday 30th November. A small number of extra maps will be printed and available on a first come first served basis on the day.

For any last minute queries or to reserve a map after entries close, please contact: info@interlopers.org.uk.

Pairs, Groups and Families should make one entry paying the rate of the oldest participant, put the second runner / group name in the comment box, and order any extra maps (£1 each) on the entry form.

Car Parking: we are being asked to pay for the car park, so there is a charge of £1 per car. By default, you will be charged for 1 car per entry (however many competitors it covers). Please change to zero if not driving / increase if bringing more than one car. Thanks!

Entry on the day (EOD) will be at non-member rates, and subject to map availability so please pre-book to guarantee a map.

TOILETS

There will be toilets available at Deans Community High School. Please do not enter the school with muddy O shoes. Remove them before entering; ideally wear other footwear instead.

TERRAIN

A mix of open and wooded parkland, with a compact hill in the middle ('The Law'), which offers tremendous views.  In the open the underfoot conditions include some long grass and weeds where the mower has not been.  In the woodland there is a mix of fast terrain and a few slower areas due to younger trees, undergrowth and brash. There is also an extensive path network.  The area is used by the public for dog walking, cycling, etc, so please be courteous to all and give way if necessary. Wear suitable shoes for the terrain. It’s summer technically but in adverse weather you might want a cagoule especially for the low TD courses.

Map will have minor updates for the event.

COURSES

Map will be to 1:7500 scale, with courses planned by Kieran Marsh. Graham McIntyre is on-the-day organiser.

REGISTRATION, START AND FINISH

Start times 1:30 - 3pm for all (TBC). No allocated start times; 2-minute intervals between starts on each course unless we have too many last-minute starters!

Courses close at 4:00pm at which time controls will begin to be collected in.

Everyone must report to the finish and proceed to Download, whether they finish their courses or not. Otherwise you may trigger a search party and/or call to the emergency services!

If you think you may take a while on your chosen course, please ask for an early start time.

ELECTRONIC TIMING

SportIdent (SI) electronic timing will be used, with SI Air enabled.  If you have your own SI dibber, please bring it.  Otherwise SI dibbers can be hired free of charge, but with £30 charge if lost.  This must have been requested when booking your place for the event.

SAFETY NOTICE

Participants take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety during the event. By entering the event you are accepting this condition. 

Parents/guardians should explain all safety aspects to all children and vulnerable persons in their care and if you are in any doubt about their ability to stay safe only allow them to participate with a carer.

A risk assessment has been carried out by the organiser. 

Please note:

• The area is used by the general public, including dog walkers and cyclists.  Please respect their right to use the area and make room to pass safely.  You are required to abide by the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (see http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/sites/default/files//docs/know_the_code_leaflet.pdf), and if necessary give way or stop running temporarily for safety reasons, e.g. some cyclists, dogs, etc.
• If you or one of your dependants have an underlying medical condition that might occur during the event, please brief the organiser in advance and leave a sealed written record at the event registration (to be destroyed afterwards).
• The area in a few places can be rough underfoot, steep and slippery.
• You are encouraged to carry a coat if there is a risk of bad weather and a whistle in case of injury (if injured give 6 long blasts, wait a minute, repeat).
• As ever, if you have any COVID symptoms, please respect others and stay away.

 First Aid will be available on the day from certified first aiders. Anything more serious should be dealt with at the nearest A&E which is at St John's Hospital, approx 1 mile from the event at Howden Road West, Livingston EH54 6PP. Main reception 01506 523 000.

PRIVACY

When entering our orienteering events your name may appear in the results section of the Interlopers orienteering club website.  We do not share your data with other organisations, other than the sport governing bodies for administrative purposes.  We do not use it for any marketing purposes.  By entering the event you are accepting this condition.

PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE

As of 1/1/26 participants who are not members of either British Orienteering or Scottish Orienteering are not now covered by their respective public liability insurance. By entering this event, you acknowledge that you are taking part at your own risk. For example, if non-members were to accidentally injure a member of the public or damage property during the event, you would not be covered. Joining  is easy either HERE (British Orienteering)  or HERE (Scottish Orienteering). 

Forthcoming Events

ESOA Championships, Dechmont Law - Saturday 5th December 2026

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