A Fine Horse in New Country

Now that the route has been roughed out on the map, the detailed planning starts. This is a great job for wintry weather! At the moment, the ground here is frozen solid and the temperature is hovering around zero degrees. Time to get on with the job...

I like to make sure that landowners know that I am coming, and that they're happy about it. Technically, under the Land Reform Act, riders have the right of access almost anywhere - but that doesn't necessarily mean it works out in practice. There may be locked gates, cattlegrids or deer fences to negotiate - or farm or estate activities going on which I would disrupt. All in all, much better to speak to landowners - I believe it also helps create a better relationship with riders, when they know who's coming, and when. Having been the next person to come along after a less-than-courteous rider has been through, and taken the brunt of the farmer's wrath, I would urge anyone reading this to take every opportunity to foster goodwill for the riding community.

To me, that means asking, not assuming. There's everything to gain from being polite - farmers will often offer you somewhere to camp, or park a horsebox, and give you the benefit of their local knowledge. On many occasions they've also rung ahead for me to the next landowner and arranged permission from them, too. In return, I make sure I stick to the agreed route through their land, don't disrupt livestock or beat up wet or degraded paths more than I can help, shut gates (of course) and ring them up or drop them a note afterwards to thank them. It's truly not difficult, and means that you or another rider will be welcome there some other time. Over the years I've noticed some farms become progressively less horse-friendly - and it's hard to blame the farmer, when gates are left open, every open space is galloped over without consideration for livestock, or riders can't tell the difference between rough pasture and newly sown crops! Oh. and please leave your dog at home, unless that has been specifically agreed! OK, rant over (for now...)

Who do I ask?

It can sometimes be difficult to find out exactly who owns the ground you hope to ride over. These are some of my strategies:
whoownsscotland.org.uk Great free website which is trying to document 75% of Scotland's land ownership - in many cases there is a contact address and tel no for the owner;

If the land is owned/managed by The National Trust for Scotland, the Forestry Commission or is part of a National Park, (the Cairngorms or Loch Lomond and the Trossachs) the respective websites will give you a contact name and number;

If you know the name of the estate, google it - many estates have their own website;

Heading for the Scottish Hills (Mountaineering Council of Scotland) shows estate boundaries and owners. Out of print but still available second hand.

Enquire at the local Tourist Information Centre - variable helpfulness but some are fantastic!

Ask the Access Officer for the relevant council area - (all councils now have one - they should be able to tell you who owns or manages the land;

If feasible, go on a recce and ask at farms on or near your proposed route. It helps to be considerate - not when the farmer is desperately trying to fix his combine before it rains or has his hand up a cow...if that's the case, say you'll come back and when would be convenient?

When I've finally found out who to speak to (sometimes the shepherd or the keeper are easiest to access), I agree the following with them:

* When I'm planning to come (day and (rough) time)
* How many riders there will be
* If it's possible to camp/park horsebox (if required)
* What route I will be following
* Any special instructions (stay off the wet ground, leave the second gate open etc)
* Their mobile number, if they have one (and a signal) - very useful if you come across livestock in distress or get lost!

And I phone or write to thank them afterwards...so they will welcome other riders too.

If the route is one which is actively promoted for horse riding, you may not need to do all of this, but I often seem to land in areas where riding is viewed as something slightly unusual.

To read about the gear we take, click here.