Day 4: Tentsmuir

Thursday 6th August 2009

Photo of Tentsmuir.
Map extract of Tentsmuir

The coastal pine forest of Tentsmuir was first used for orienteering for the 1978 British Championships and then for the 1979 Scottish 6-days - Trossachs ‘79. On the Fife side of the Tay estuary, and not far from St Andrews, Tentsmuir is a popular destination for families with an excellent beach along the eastern edge of the forest and a fine network of paths and tracks.

We are using the northern part with a band of complex sand dunes along the coast, and flatter areas inland crossed by lines of dunes. Many of the flatter areas have a maze of small pits and knolls. We have secured parking on the west side of the forest so the assembly and finish will be at a location never previously used.

Tentsmuir on Google Maps

Essential Details

Below is essential information to help you plan your journey to Day 4. However we strongly recommend you check the Event Programme for full details of arrangements for Day 4.

Directions from Event Centre (Perth Racecourse): Leave Perth Racecourse and follow the A93 south into Perth. Note that traffic may be slow moving through the town, especially in the rush hour. Carry straight on following the A85 out of the town to the A90 dual carriage-way. Follow the A90 18 miles (29kms) to Dundee.

Alternatively, to avoid congestion in Perth, leave Perth Racecourse and cross the A93 towards Scone (note this is an offset junction – turn right onto the A93 and immediately left on to the Scone road). At Scone, turn left onto the A94 and follow this for 3 miles (5kms). Turn right onto the B953. Follow this road for 5 miles (8kms) to the A90 and turn left towards Dundee.

On arriving at Dundee turn right onto the A85 and follow this road past the airport and a large Tesco, to the Riverside Roundabout, and the north end of the Tay Road Bridge. Approach this roundabout in the left hand lane, then move into the middle lane as you join the roundabout. Stay in this lane, which becomes the left hand lane again, leaving the roundabout as the A92 on-ramp to the Tay Bridge Note that traffic may be slow moving through the city, especially in the rush hour. Note also that despite signs, there is no longer a toll on the Tay Bridge!

Cross the Tay Road Bridge (A92) and go straight on at the roundabout at the south end of the bridge (signed A92 Kirkcaldy).  Carry on the dual carriageway for about a mile and turn left at the roundabout onto the A914.  Continue on this road for about 2.5 miles and then turn sharp left onto the B945 just after the 40mph sign entering St Michaels.  Drive north on this road towards Tayport ignoring the first sign to Tentsmuir Forest.  Shortly after you get into Tayport turn right onto Elizabeth Street towards the golf course.  Continue on this road, past the golf course, then turn right onto Shanwell Road, drive to the end and then follow the signs to the parking area. 

Note that these are residential streets with a 20mph speed limit – please drive with consideration. 

Under no circumstances should Tay 2009 competitors attempt a short cut by following signs to Tayport from the south end of the Tay Bridge. The narrow streets in the middle of the town will be completely unable to carry the volume of event traffic and we must avoid disruption to the free movement of traffic for residents. Please depart by the same route.

The last 1 km is a single track farm access road.  Please comply with the instructions of marshals as we are required to allow access for farm vehicles. All competitors must arrive before 1230 hrs.  NO EXIT BEFORE 1230 hrs.

Approximate distance from Event Centre: 70km/43miles.

Distance from Car Park to Assembly: Adjacent.

Distance from Assembly to Starts: Red 3700m; Blue/Green/Yellow/White 2100m.

Nearest places of interest: Tayport, St Andrews, Cupar, Dundee.

Details of other competition areas: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 5 | Day 6

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