Join Horseways and become part of a pro-active and pioneering team helping to re-opening ancient trails across Scotland for horse riders.
CLICK HERE...

‘Of all the access groups,
Horse riders gained most from the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003’

Statistics
Perhaps a surprising statistic is that the equine industry is the second largest economic activity in the countryside. There are 2.4 million riders in Britain compared to 1.5 million footballers and only 700,000 shooters. Can you imagine what would happen if shooters were denied access to the hills or if the Sunday leagues were no longer allowed to use the football pitches? Open access for horse riders in Scotland is historically often very poor. However, thanks to the Land Reform (Scotland) Act, this is no longer the case.

Safety
Every year there are at least 3,000 reported accidents involving horses on our roads; that is the equivalent of eight a day. A recent report suggests that this figure might be nearer to twenty-nine a day; that’s over 10,500 a year. On average five riders and over one hundred horses are killed on the roads every year. Surely this alone justifies our need for safe off-road riding?

Many individual people and groups have lobbied the Scottish Parliament to ensure that horse riders would get the access they require under the new legislation. As a result the Land Reform Act has made ‘a bigger difference for horse riders than any other group’.

We do not seek a mandate to ride where we like, when we like; rather we are campaigning for managed, responsible and agreed access, to benefit both the community AND landowners.

I N F O R M A T I O N

In redesigning this website we hope to create an information gateway relevant to all riders in Scotland who wish to enjoy the new privileges afforded by the Land Reform Act. By necessity, the geographical area will be restricted to our immediate neighbourhood; a vast area of north east Perthshire that contains the potential for miles of off-road riding. As in many areas this will have cross-boundary links into other Local Authority jurisdictions.

What are the Changes?

C O M M U N I C A T I O N

On this site you will find out who to communicate with within the structures that exist to develop the new core path initiatives: who to get intouch with at every level, from the Ranger on the ground to the Forum designed to advise your local council. We will tell you what has worked for us and what hasn’t. We will let you know of the problems we encounter and the solutions adopted. Anyone who wants to can get intouch with us through the site, on the phone or by snail mail – we will do our best to help and inform but most of all we hope you will feel empowered to act on your own behalf, in your area.

E M P O W E R M E N T

We hope that with this information and clear lines of communication all riders will take up the opportunity to improve access in their own back yard. The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code define our rights to access; it is within our power to see these rights are upheld.

We The Horseways Committee feel strongly that, now the Scottish Outdoor Access Code is through, riders must stand up to be counted and shout loudly enough to be heard if they are to achieve the freedom implicit in the new Land Reform Act.. We still have a long way to go to ensure that riders are not ignored, over-ruled, or simply duped by the many individuals, committees, and the various Forum that have been put in place by Local Authorities to fulfill their obligations under the Land Reform (Scotland) 2003 Act.

Access is happening; discussions, disagreements, consultations, planning and mapping are all going on, all over Scotland. These activities are going on here, in Perth and Kinross, in Angus, in the area YOU live and ride in. In order to do our best we need to know of any problems you have. We have a wealth of experience and contacts in all the right places so… … …

…GIVE US YOUR SUPPORT…

… … …let us know of any problems you have encountered, where you would like to ride and what is stopping you. If there is a local path network in your vicinity that is blocked by kissing gates or a track made inaccessible by styles you can get things changed but be prepared to stand firm and fight for those rights.

… each and every one of us can be part of the solution…

There are mechanisms in place to deal with the myriad of problems that will no doubt arise with the advent of the SOAC; land managers, other path users, whoever and whatever the cause. It is our responsibility to understand the processes that are available and to use them either as individuals or as groups. There are occasions when Horseways, as a collective voice, may be the best tool for communication but a barrage of letters from individuals will add more clout when it comes to opening tracks on the ground. There is no single equestrian body capable of dealing with access issues throughout the whole of Scotland, Tayside or individual Local Authority areas. The resources needed, in money and manpower, do not currently exist. It will be up to everyday riders to fill the gaps; to provide information; to source funding; to clear tracks.inform their Local Authority of where they want to ride and of the problems they encounter.

Summaries

The Land Reform Act now places horse riders firmly on the map, giving them a right to responsible access. Under the new legislation paths will be available for all users with riders, cyclists and walkers sharing a responsibility to work together. The Act does not give a freedon to roam but gives a right of responsible access with the responsibility defined in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. All users of the countryside will have to be responsible towards land management operations, the environment and to other other users in the countryside. If they are irresponsible, the right of access will be lost.

Car ownership has increased significantly over the last 20 years and this has led to busier roads. In addition to this, drivers these days just don't seem to understand horses the way they used to! In fairness, most drivers do slow down for horses but accidents occur. It's important to report ALL incidents to the Police.

The Horse and Hound (February 2001) stated that:

A lack of accurate reporting of road accidents involving horses and riders is preventing government action to improve safety.

Other things to do:
1. If you have not already done so, take the Riding and Road Safety Test.

2. Always wear reflective clothing.

3. Display a Horse and Hound road safety sticker in your car to help boost driver awareness.