The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2004 gives a statutory right of responsible access to riders and carriage drivers to most land in Scotland in accordance with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

Are you riding responsibly? Know the Code before you go . . .

Responsibility to land managers:

• Be considerate and aware

• Do not disrupt ongoing land management operations, eg ploughing, tree harvesting, fertilising
• Ride slowly past all livestock and leave gates as you find them
• Do not enter fields where there might be animals that may be a danger to you or in danger from you
• Leave your dog at home unless you are in total control under all circumstances
• Get permission before jumping any hedgerows, fences, jumps, gates, walls or using custom made gallops. Repetitive schooling is excluded from the legislation.
• Do not ride on boggy, wet, soft ground or churn up surfaces on paths, tracks or fields

Responsibility to the public:

• Be considerate and aware

• Be cheery and polite to everyone you meet, and respect other's peace and privacy
• Give way to others where necessary. Take into account that the people you meet may be old, infirm, disabled or just petrified of horses
• The countryside is not risk-free. Take care of your own and your horse's safety and that of others

Responsibility to the environment:

• Be considerate and aware

• Don't damage surfaces by riding on ground that is wet or poorly drained
• Don't damage hedgerows and timber by jumping
• Take litter home - don't leave a mess
• Be careful around historic and archaelogical sites and sites of special scientific interest

Further information on the Scottish Outdoor Access Code can be found:
General information on the Scottish Outdoor Access Code www.outdooraccess-scotland.com

Equestrian access resources can be found on our Resources page.