Riding in countryside - rights

[MagicMelon]

After reading something about hacking in a recent horsey magazine. Am I right in understanding that in Scotland, I am allowed by law to basically ride round my nearby fields owned by the local farmers? What happens if the gate is closed, am I still allowed to? Obviously I wouldn't go in if there was livestock in a field (since my horses would probably have a heart attack anyway!) and wouldn't go amongst crops.

I hate hacking on my road and going round the fields would be brilliant, however I really dont want to upset the farmer neighbours either!! If I am allowed to do this - how would I go about doing it? Would it be polite of me to ask them stating the law or what?!

 

[Weezy]

I would approach the farmers and ask if you may ride on their headlands, rather than just go ahead and do it! Presuming you are thinking of the "Right to Roam" rule, which, I think, does not include horses.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

Scotish law is different from English Law so best to direct any questions to Scotish members of the forum. Additionally, no matter what the law may say or not say, it is always better to have the consent of the landowner to go on his land irrespective of your actual rights. This makes for a far more cordial agreement & there will be less liklihood of any animosity between the parties.

 

[Kermie]

[ QUOTE ]
Presuming you are thinking of the "Right to Roam" rule, which, I think, does not include horses.

[/ QUOTE ]

It does in Scotland - the access rights up here extend to all forms of non-motorised transport.

The appropriate website is down at the moment, but you can read more about the access rights on this one --->
http://www.snh.org.uk/strategy/access/sr-afor01.asp

Basically, you have a right to ride where you want so long as you are being responsible - ie not riding over crops or disturbing livestock, encroaching on privacy, etc. Farmers are recommended to leave a field margin unsown so that people can use their access rights without any risk of damage to crops. If a farmer has not left a field margin, then a rider can still enter the field but should stick to the outside. SNH can send out a copy of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code to anyone who wants one.

Land owners are not supposed to lock gates and local authorities are responsible for enforcing this.

 

[jinglejoys]

Shame my great great great however many greats-grandfather,Bonnie Dundee didn't help Bonnie prince Charlie better!! We might all have the right to ride!!

 

[Cuffey]

Check out BHS Scotland web site
http://www.bhsscotland.org.uk
Click on Access and then Land Reform Act to find leaflet Are You Riding Responsibly
You do have the right to take responsible access but always better to have good relationship with neighbours. Just be sensible--dont ride on soft ground, stick to headlands, stay away from cattle and sheep at lambing time and when lambs are small-disturbance could cause mis-mothering etc.

 

[hussar]

What I do is approach my local farmers saying something along the lines of 'I gather that under the Land Reform Act I can ride round [name fields] - is that OK with you so long as I avoid wet ground, stock, etc?' That way they know you know the law, but you've also asked politely.

If you think a landowner is being unreasonable you can ask your local Council's Access Officer to step in. I had to do that recently when a farmer refused to remove a mare and foal from a right of way - the mare would become very aggressive towards other horses when the foal, naturally, was being curious and friendly. Both have now been moved.