ACCESS

Safe off-road riding is essential for all horse riders whatever their particular interest.  BHS Scotland works towards achieving this for all horse riders by having a network of access volunteers throughout Scotland in touch with their local authority.  Our aim is to ensure that horse riders are considered along with cyclists and walkers when off-road routes are being planned.  We are always looking for more people to come forward and join us in obtaining better facilities for horse riders. Click here to see our current vacancies.

The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 which went live in February 2005 gives the opportunity for horse riders and carriage drivers, as well as other non-motorised users to access the countryside more easily and to understand what they can and cannot do
This includes
- a clearer legal basis for access
- responsibility being the key principle for using access rights and for managing land
- safeguards for privacy, land management and conservation
- new duties and powers for local authorities and other public bodies
- adequate resources to make the proposals work well.

   Scottish Natural Heritage has useful information on the access legislation, www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/

  You can also download the Scottish Outdoor Access Code which that gives information on most scenarios, and which everyone should understand.

BHS has just launched a mapping stragegy which aims to collate all riding routes in Scotland, England & Wales.  for more information click here.

Riding constantly in a riding arena is no substitute for getting out into the countryside and exercising your horse whilst you enjoy the scenery.  Scotland has some of the most spectacular landscape in the world, so why not take your horse away for a couple of hours, a day or even a long weekend?

You can contact Pat Somerville, the Scottish Access Officer on access@bhsscotland.org.uk

Pat has recently joined the Board of Directors of The Scottish Rights of Way and Access Society, an independent body that, for the last 160 years, has worked to safeguard the public's rights of access to the countryside.  The organisation is busier than ever dealing with new issues that arise as a result of the new legal rights of access.

Paths for All Partnership - Whether you are a rider, a carriage driver, an access expert, a community group or just interested in outdoor access then look no further!  The Paths for All Partnership website provides advice and support, publications and resources as well as training and useful information and links: www.pathsforall.org.uk.  While you are there, why not download the BHS/PfAP Equestrian Access Factsheets? 

Before you venture out, why not check what the weather and tides will be doing?