Day 5: Barry Buddon

Friday 7th August 2009

Photo of Barry Buddon from the air.
Map extract of Barry Buddon.

Buddon Ness is the peninsula forming the northern limit of the Tay estuary. Barry Buddon has been used for orienteering a number of times, and is regularly used for army competitions, although it is some time since it was last used for an open competition.

It has a vast area of complex sand dunes (see more details below). Although it has been an army training area for many years, it is such a large area that many parts are completely unspoilt by military use. Mostly open, there are also some patches of wood and scrub. Some areas are tussocky, other parts are fast running, either grazed or with rabbit-cropped grass.

Barry Buddon on Google Maps

Essential Details

Below is essential information to help you plan your journey to Day 5. However we strongly recommend you check the Event Programme for full details of arrangements for Day 5.

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 ring road round Dundee. At a major traffic light junction, continue straight ahead on the A972, signed Arbroath and Tay Bridge (do not turn left onto the A90 for Aberdeen). At the third roundabout after this junction, take the second exit onto the A92 signed to Arbroath.

Alternatively, to avoid congestion in Perth, leave Perth Racecourse and cross the A93 towards 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, joining the route above.

Follow the A92 Dundee to Arbroath road for 7miles (11km) then turn left following red bordered military signs for Barry Buddon. Follow this road south for 1 mile (1.5kms).Turn right at the roundabout on the A930, straight across at the next roundabout then first left to Barry Camp. To avoid queuing traffic on the level crossing, please comply with the instructions of the marshals at all times.

Entry to event is via a level crossing on the Aberdeen to Dundee railway line.  There are about 8 trains an hour, for each the barrier may be down for 3 to 4 minutes.  Please leave plenty of time in case you are held up by trains. Do not start over the crossing until there is space for your whole vehicle on the far side, beyond the barrier. Please keep close to the vehicle in front once over the crossing to ensure that the maximum number of vehicles get across.  There will be a 10mph speed limit once over the level crossing. Follow the instructions of parking marshals at all times.

All competitors must arrive before 1230 hrs.  NO EXIT BEFORE 1230 hrs.

Approximate distance from Event Centre: 56km/35miles.

Distance from Car Park to Assembly: 1000m.

Distance from Assembly to Starts: Red/Blue/Green 750m (or 250m from car park); Yellow 50m; White 100m.

Nearest places of interest: Carnoustie, Broughty Ferry, Dundee, Arbroath, Glamis Castle.

Special note on Barry Buddon and its sand dune areas

Barry Buddon military training area is located within one of the largest intact sand dune sites in Britain, and has been designated as Barry Links Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in recognition of this. Its use as a military training ground since 1865 has helped preserve this site from being developed. The sand dune habitats are of such natural heritage importance that they have also been designated a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), under European legislation. Some of the dune habitats of European importance, such as the lichen rich areas, are particularly sensitive to trampling damage, and could take more than 10 years to grow back if damaged. Sensitive areas are therefore marked as Out of Bounds on the map.  Two areas will be protected by Red and White Tapes: do not cross the tapes under any circumstances. Please help us to conserve this important sand dune site for future generations.

For further information about Barry Links SAC and SSSI, please visit Scottish Natural Heritage’s Information service.

Details of other competition areas: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 6

Related News items

Six Day Certificates
Downloadable Results files
Day 5 - Elite update
Day 5 results
Controllers Statement - Day 5
Event Programme now available to download
Start times now published
Bus Travel details
More information on Barry Buddon
For dog owners