Little Mergie, Rickarton, Stonehaven

From A90 North bound– take 2^nd exit for Stonehaven off the A90.  Follow road through Industrial estate and turn left then first Right and left at mini roundabout.  Follow A957 in the direction of Banchory.  After approx 6 miles turn left at minor road signposted SWANLEY.  Enter trees and take first right (on corner at sign saying ‘road closed to all forestry related traffic) BEWARE SPEED BUMPS.  Pass Mergie House/ large outdoor school and venue field is on your left.

From A90 Southbound- take 2^nd exit for Stonehaven, signposted ‘Spurryhillock’, turn first left and at mini roundabout go left.  Follow A957 in the direction of Banchory.  After approx 6 miles turn left at minor road signposted SWANLEY.  Enter trees and take first right (on corner at sign saying ‘road closed to all forestry related traffic) BEWARE SPEED BUMPS.  Pass Mergie House/ large Outdoor school and venue field is on your left.

50km- 9.30am- 10am (vetting from 9am)

30km- 10am-10.30am

Pl/TR- 10.30-11am

THERE MAY NOT BE A FARRIER SO PLEASE ENSURE YOUR HORSE IS SUITABLY SHOD.

CREWING AT CHECKPOINTS 2, 3, 4 only.

There will be water at CP1 and 2.

TURN LEFT out of venue field.  Straight on.  At fork bear left.

Turn Left over bridge and bear RIGHT along riverside.

At T junction turn RIGHT and continue SO up hill

At fork bear LEFT uphill                                           CP1     3 miles/ 4.83km

Follow main track SO ignoring track on right passing a quarry on your right

                                                                                            4 miles/ 6.44 km

At next junction turn LEFT and continue straight on.

At Y junction bear RIGHT and continue straight on downhill

After small quarry turn LEFT downhill                         7 miles/ 11.27 km

Cross bridge and turn LEFT.

Follow track to barrier and continue SO uphill through trees.

At top of hill turn RIGHT.

Follow main track until Y junction.  Bear RIGHT.

Turn RIGHT at barrier and downhill past house on right.

Turn left out of gate and follow main track.

At Y junction turn RIGHT and continue uphill past barrier.

Turn LEFT at B.                                                                              

Follow main track straight on. At next junction keep LEFT and keep following main track to C      (5.3km)

At C continue straight on to until RIGHT turn to CP2                                           (7.8km)

Carry straight on along narrow track which is soft in places, follow across hillside and along fence line through trees until you descend to stream crossing at D                                                      (9km)

After you cross the stream and go up the bank, TURN RIGHT AND THEN IMMEDIATELY LEFT. Follow this track for approx 5 km until E                                                                      (13.9km)

At E straight on to CP3 (15.4km) then retrace steps to E                                       (17km)

At E TURN LEFT and remain on main track until F (19km) TURN LEFT UP VERY STEEP HILL. Remain on this track for approx 2.5km until steep downhill (advisable to dismount?) to CP2                            (21.5km)

AT CP2 TURN LEFT and at junction with main track TURN LEFT and retrace steps to C           (24km)

At C turn LEFT and remain on this track until next junction- turn LEFT.

At next junction bear LEFT downhill to CP4 at the car park                                    (29.4km)

Go back uphill and turn LEFT and at barrier (B)                                                (31.3km)

turn LEFT downhill past house and then LEFT back to venue                                                             33km

Well done.